Tomorrow’s industry leaders take the stage in Vegas

By The Coffee Shops™. 

Four student teams delivered project proposals for the Cannery Hotel and Casino at the most well-attended Student Competition yet! 

On the second day of the International Roofing Expo (IRE), a few members of The Coffee Shops™ crew had the opportunity to attend the 2026 Roofing Alliance Student Competition. Those of us in attendance had a wonderful time, and we’ve shared our overall impressions and experiences at this year’s competition below. Keep reading to hear about our takeaways from the event! 

Drake Porter: I've gotten to hear about it and read about it and see pictures of it, but actually going to the Student Competition and seeing the students in action was amazing. I had the chance to see these college students dressed up like professionals, having a complete proposal from beginning to end, going through their processes and the decisions that they made. We were able to  listen to the judge's questions, which were really interesting and well thought out – asking the students if they could adjust the cost or whether or not they used AI for any part of their proposal. It was really cool to see these students take on the project and hearing that they got to go on the roof and walk the actual roof of the project they did the bid on. The roof was for the Cannery Hotel and Casino on the north side of Vegas, what a great experience that must have been. I enjoyed seeing them at the NRCA Award Ceremony, too, as they were recognized and received their awards! 

Karen Edwards: This was the most well-attended competition out of all the years I've been going to the Student Competition. We promoted it a lot and were so happy to see that the room was full - there were people even standing in the back, which has never happened. I interviewed the students at the soundstage, and we asked them all the same questions: what their role was on the team, what it was like for them to actually go on the roof of the project after working on it for so many months, and then what they're looking for from an employer once they're out of school. So, if you're looking to hire the next generation, you need to watch those interviews and see what matters to these students. They're just so bright, so brilliant. 

Lauren White: I look forward to this event every year. It's amazing to watch these students take on the roles of contractors, estimators, etc. and present their proposal to a panel of industry professionals and answer their questions with really well thought out answers. It’s fun to see how the different teams approach the project and their presentation as well. They’re always very polished and impressive. And the fact that these students are seeing the potential of roofing as a career at that age is amazing. When I was in school, trade schools were starting to become popular but were not the first choice educators presented to us – it was four-year universities. To see the rise in popularity of not only trade schools, but also roofing curriculum at multiple universities is very exciting.  

Jessica Bravo: This was my second time attending the Student Competition at IRE, and it was the highlight of my day. It’s inspiring to see students present real-life project locations and confidently take on questions from the judges. It’s encouraging to see students take an interest in the trades, and this competition really shines a positive light on the roofing industry. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event! 

Camden Bennett: This was my first time attending the Student Competition. I was able to watch the first two groups present their projects. The challenge they were tasked with was to prepare and present how their company would repair the roof of the Cannery Casino in Las Vegas. Being from that area, I found it interesting to see the unique problems the teams identified and to hear the different quotes and roofing methods they each chose and presented. 

Each team had different styles and approaches to answering the judges' questions, which ranged from safety concerns to price reduction and AI usage. The students were very eager to answer questions and present their projects. Each team represented themselves and their schools in a professional manner with enthusiasm. I am eager to attend future Student Competitions. 

Alberto Torres: Attending the IRE Student Competition for the first time was incredibly inspiring. Seeing students step into a real-world roofing scenario and putting together a plan to execute a project was truly mind blowing. They didn’t just create a presentation — they had to think like contractors, project managers and safety managers, making sure that every single detail of the project was carefully thought out, from budgeting to safety measures. Watching them collaborate as a team and allowing each other to show their strengths and present solutions with confidence really showed the future of this industry. 

As a first-time attendee, the competition gave me a fresh perspective on how important education and mentorship are in roofing. The representation and visibility of women in the industry continues to grow, and seeing these women compete made me feel encouraged and excited about where the industry is headed. 

Make sure to check out the student interviews on The Coffee Shops soundstage at IRE!