By Emma Peterson. 

The ICAA Convention returns this September with an expansive trade show, practical educational programming and opportunities to connect with peers from across the industry. 

In a new Roofing Road Trips®, Megan Ellsworth sat down with Michael Kwart, executive director of the Insulation Contractors Association of America (ICAA), to discuss the ICAA’s 2026 convention. Michael opened the conversation with some background on the event:  

It's our annual event. This year it’s going to be in Dallas from September 16–19, 2026. And one of the big draws is really the trade show. At the moment, we have about 128 exhibitors signed up to showcase everything from fiberglass cellulose, rock walls and spray foam to machines, equipment and more! 

In addition to giving contractors the chance to see new products and tools on the trade show floor, the ICAA show also creates unmatched networking opportunities! As Michael put it, “By bringing all these people together at one time in one place, this show gives you an opportunity to network, make deals and create the relationships that are not going to be created on an email or a phone call.”  

And that’s not all! The show also boasts a full program of continuing education opportunities! These cover everything from spray foam insulation basics to safety compliance and 1099 labor management. Michael explained, “Our educational sessions are specifically geared to the needs of insulation contractors. For example, a huge element in our business is estimating takeoffs. And we’re having a whole session on all the programs and tools out there that can help keep these accurate, like AI, and how professionals can integrate them into their estimating toolkit.” 

Overall, this is a must-attend for any contractors operating in or considering working in the world of insulation. This year’s show will be hosted at the Renaissance Dallas Addison Hotel in Texas from September 16 – 19, 2026!  

Get your tickets today! Want to learn more? Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording!  

Por Emma Peterson, traducido por Alberto Torres. 

Este septiembre en Dallas, la Convención de ICAA ofrecerá sesiones educativas dirigidas por expertos, conocimientos prácticos de la industria, oportunidades para establecer contactos y acceso a los productos y tecnologías más recientes. 

Todo es más grande en Texas, ¡incluyendo la convención y feria comercial de este año de la Insulation Contractors Association of America (ICAA)! Este evento promete ser la reunión más grande de la industria del aislamiento, con un programa educativo cuidadosamente diseñado, una amplia feria comercial y muchas oportunidades para establecer contactos. El evento se llevará a cabo en Dallas, Texas, del 16 al 19 de septiembre de 2026. No te querrás perder uno de los eventos más importantes de la industria del aislamiento. ¡Aquí te compartimos un resumen de lo que puedes esperar! 

Educación 

El equipo de ICAA desarrolló su programa educativo tomando en cuenta las tendencias de la industria y los comentarios de sus miembros. Este año, el evento contará con las siguientes sesiones: 

• La humedad sucede: Cómo controlar los riesgos en sistemas híbridos de aislamiento: En esta sesión especial, Joe Lstiburek, una de las voces más respetadas en la ciencia de la construcción, compartirá sus conocimientos sobre cómo combinar aislamiento impermeable y permeable al aire para crear sistemas híbridos. El desayuno está incluido. 
• Taller de medición y estimación: En la primera sesión de ICAA dedicada a la inteligencia artificial, se analizará cómo se está utilizando esta tecnología en los procesos de estimación. No solo aprenderás información relevante sobre esta tecnología en desarrollo, sino que también podrás poner a prueba tus habilidades frente a la inteligencia artificial y tener la oportunidad de ganar un premio en efectivo. 
• La ciencia y el marketing del rendimiento de los edificios: Los asistentes conocerán casos de estudio sobre pruebas de hermeticidad con blower door y aprenderán cómo el marketing basado en el rendimiento puede beneficiar a su empresa. 

• Barreras radiantes como línea de productos complementaria: Aprende a trabajar de manera efectiva con barreras radiantes utilizando el protocolo de cuatro pasos de la Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association (RIMA International) para reducir la acumulación de calor en el ático. 

• Qué hacer cuando utilizas trabajadores 1099: Desde reclamaciones de compensación laboral hasta requisitos de supervisión, esta sesión explicará cómo administrar correctamente a los trabajadores contratados bajo el formulario 1099. 

• Simplificando el cumplimiento de las normas de seguridad para SPF: Enfoque en equipo de protección respiratoria y ventilación: Esta sesión explorará ampliamente los protocolos para la espuma de poliuretano en aerosol (SPF) y enseñará a los asistentes cómo asegurarse de que su empresa cumpla con todas las regulaciones relacionadas. 

• Cómo entender el seguro de compensación laboral: Cometer errores al manejar una reclamación de compensación laboral puede resultar muy costoso. En esta sesión aprenderás cómo manejar correctamente el proceso de resolución de reclamaciones. 

• Cómo medir la salud financiera: Analiza las finanzas de tu negocio en esta sesión que abordará indicadores clave como margen bruto, margen neto, margen de utilidad operativa, flujo de efectivo neto y capital de trabajo. 

• Riesgos en los contratos de construcción: Los asistentes a esta sesión aprenderán cómo proteger el flujo de efectivo y su negocio a través de los contratos. 

¡Consulta el programa completo!

Feria comercial 

¡Además del programa educativo, se llevará a cabo la feria comercial anual! Este espacio brinda a los profesionales del aislamiento de todo el país la oportunidad de reunirse cara a cara. No solo es una excelente oportunidad para hacer negocios y establecer relaciones, sino también para conocer los productos, servicios, innovaciones y tendencias más recientes del mercado del aislamiento. 

La feria comercial de 2026 se llevará a cabo el jueves 17 de septiembre, de 10 a.m. a 5 p.m., hora del Centro (CT). Podrás encontrar empresas líderes como Owens Corning, Johns Manville, CertainTeed y Enverge.  

Eventos adicionales 

¡Pero eso no es todo! Dijimos que este sería un evento al estilo de Texas, y la variedad de actividades lo demuestra. El 16 de septiembre, ICAA is taking professionals out to the Cowboys Golf Club para disfrutar de una jornada de golf y establecer contactos. Este es el primer y único club de golf con temática de la NFL y cuenta con un impresionante campo de 159 acres en Grapevine. La actividad está disponible únicamente para asistentes registrados, tiene un costo adicional e incluye un almuerzo en el lugar.

Más tarde esa misma noche, ¡la recepción de bienvenida dará inicio oficialmente al evento! La celebración comenzará a las 6 p.m., hora del Centro (CT). Y el último día del evento, el 18 de septiembre, ¡ICAA traerá de regreso el Insulation Feud! Esta competencia anual es una actividad dinámica, divertida y educativa en la que los profesionales pueden demostrar sus conocimientos sobre aislamiento. ¡Además, habrá premios para los equipos ganadores! 

Registro 

Para el evento de este año, ICAA se ha asociado con el Renaissance Dallas Addison Hotel para ofrecer a los asistentes una tarifa grupal con descuento de $249 por noche, más impuestos. Para obtener esta tarifa, debes registrarte antes del 25 de agosto de 2026. 

El equipo de ICAA también ofrece una excelente promoción BOGO (compra uno y obtén otro). Por cada contratista, sea miembro o no, que pague una inscripción, ¡la segunda inscripción tendrá un costo de solo $195! Este descuento se aplica automáticamente al comprar dos inscripciones en línea. 

Obtén más información en el sitio web de ICAA 2026. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Hosted in Dallas this September, the ICAA Convention offers expert-led education, hands-on industry insights, networking opportunities and access to the latest products and technologies. 

Everything is bigger in Texas, including this year’s Insulation Contractors Association of America (ICAA) convention and trade show! This event promises to be the biggest gathering of the insulation industry complete with carefully developed education programming, an extensive trade show floor and plenty of networking opportunities. Hosted in Dallas, Texas from September 16 – 19, 2026, you do not want to miss the biggest and best insulation industry event. Here’s a shortlist of what you can expect!  

Education 

The ICAA team has built out their educational program based on industry trends and member feedback. This year’s show will feature the following sessions:  

• Moisture Happens: Controlling Risk in Hybrid Insulation Assemblies: This special session sees Joe Lstiburek, one of the most respected voices in building science, share insights into combining air-impermeable and air-permeable insulation to build hybrid systems. Breakfast is included. 
• Take Off and Estimating Workshop: In ICAA’s first ever session on artificial intelligence, they dive into how it’s being used in relation to estimating. Not only will you learn timely information about this developing technology, but you’ll also be able to test your skills against it for a chance to win a cash prize!  
• The Science & Marketing of Building Performance: Attendees will be shown case studies of blower door testing and learn how performance-based marketing can help their company. 
• Radiant Barriers as a Complementary Product Line: Learn how to successfully work with radiant barriers using the Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association (RIMA International)’s four step protocol in order to reduce attic heat load. 
• What To Do When You Use 1099 Labor: From workers comp claims to supervision requirements, this session will cover how to manage 1099 labor successfully. 
• Demystifying SPF Safety Compliance: Focusing on Respiratory PPE and Ventilation: This session comprehensively explores SPF protocols and teaches attendees how to ensure your business is compliant with all regulations related to them. 
• Understanding Workers’ Comp Insurance: Making missteps when managing a workers comp claim can be extremely costly. Learn how to navigate claim resolution in this session. 
• Measuring Financial Health: Dive into the finances of your businesses in this session that covers key metrics like gross margin, net margin, operating profit margin, net cash flow and working capital. 
• Pitfalls in Construction Contracts: Attendees of this session will walk away knowing how to protect their cash flow and business through contracts. 

Check out the full schedule!

Trade show 

Accompanying the education program is the annual trade show! This gives insulation professionals around the country the chance to meet face-to-face. Not only is this a great opportunity to do business and build relationships, but it also gives you the chance to explore the latest products, services, innovations and trends in the insulation market!  

The 2026 trade show will be hosted on Thursday, September 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT. You can expect to see leading companies such as Owens Corning, Johns Manville, CertainTeed and Enverge there.  

Additional events  

But wait, there’s more! We did say this was a Texas-sized show, and they have the event offerings to match that claim. On September 16, ICAA is taking professionals out to the Cowboys Golf Club for some networking and fairway time. This course is the first and only NFL-themed golf club and has a stellar course that spans 159 acres in Grapevine. This is available to registered attendees only, has an additional fee and includes an on-site luncheon.  

Then, later that night, the Welcome Reception will kick off the show itself! The party starts at 6 p.m. CT. And, on the last day of the show (September 18), ICAA is bringing back the Insulation Feud! This annual competition is a fast-paced, fun and educational opportunity for professionals to show off their insulation knowledge. And there are prizes for the winning teams!  

Registration  

For this year’s show, ICAA has partnered with the Renaissance Dallas Addison Hotel to provide a discounted group rate ($249 per night, plus tax) for attendees. You must register before August 25, 2026, to get this rate!  

The ICAA team is also running a great BOGO (buy one, get one) deal! For all contractors (member or nonmember) that pays for a registration, they get their next one for just $195! This deal is automatically applied when you buy two registrations online.  

Learn more at www.insulate.org/icaa2026/. 

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

ICAA and CIMA are bringing building science concepts into the field, helping contractors better understand how heat, air and moisture interact to improve building performance.

Building science has become one of the most important topics in modern construction, but for many contractors and installers, the challenge isn't understanding the theory, it's knowing how to apply it on the jobsite. That is why the Insulation Contractors Association of America (ICAA) and the Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) are continuing their educational webinar series focused on connecting building science principles with real-world installation practices.

On Thursday, July 16, industry professionals will have the opportunity to participate in “Introduction to Building Science,” a free 20-minute webinar for ICAA members that explores the fundamentals of building envelope optimization and high-performance insulation systems. The webinar is the second installment in a three-part educational series designed to help contractors move beyond simple R-value discussions and develop a more complete understanding of how building systems work together.

As building codes evolve and owners demand higher-performing structures, understanding the relationship between heat transfer, air movement and moisture management has become critical. According to the webinar description, participants will learn how these forces behave within the building envelope and how those interactions impact material selection, thermal performance, durability and occupant comfort. The program emphasizes viewing the structure as an interconnected system rather than a collection of individual components.

Leading the discussion is Aaron Davenport, technical director for Greenfiber, who brings more than two decades of experience as both a homebuilder and building materials executive. His background includes product development, green building initiatives, team collaboration and launching innovative construction products throughout North America. He has also been a licensed homebuilder in Florida for more than 20 years and has developed extensive expertise in building science applications.

The focus on practical application makes this educational series especially valuable for contractors looking to improve installation quality and overall building performance. While building science concepts can sometimes feel academic, their impact is felt every day in energy efficiency, moisture control, occupant comfort and long-term durability. Understanding how insulation interacts with other building systems can help contractors deliver better outcomes for customers while reducing the risk of performance issues down the road.

This type of education also highlights a growing trend across the construction industry: the increasing importance of workforce training. Whether working in roofing, insulation, coatings, metal construction or exterior building products, today's contractors are being asked to understand how entire building systems perform together. Organizations like ICAA and CIMA are helping professionals stay ahead of those expectations by offering targeted educational opportunities that translate directly to the field.

For contractors, architects, consultants and building professionals interested in strengthening their understanding of building science fundamentals, this webinar offers a concise but practical learning opportunity that can be immediately applied to future projects. The session takes place on July 16 from 1:00 to 1:20 p.m. ET.

To register for the webinar and learn more about educational opportunities from the Insulation Contractors Association of America, visit ICAA at www.insulate.org. To stay informed about insulation, building envelope and construction industry education, visit the industry directories and resources available through The Coffee Shops™, where contractors can connect with manufacturers, associations and training programs that support building performance excellence.

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

Rising energy costs demand immediate action.

Electricity and natural gas prices are projected to rise sharply over the next several years as data centers and electrification accelerate demand for power. Families and small businesses will feel the impact. The Coffee Shops™ are a proud partner of the Insulation Contractors Association of America and strongly encourage insulation contractors to join industry leaders in Washington, D.C., to help lead the energy affordability conversation. 

Congress is actively searching for solutions that can stabilize costs, protect consumers and strengthen grid reliability. The insulation industry has a proven answer: reduce demand through stronger building energy efficiency policies. Insulation remains one of the fastest and most cost effective ways to lower energy bills, improve housing affordability and deliver measurable energy savings without waiting years for new power generation to come online. 

Now is the time to make that case directly to lawmakers. 

Join us in Washington: Help lead the energy affordability conversation 

Congressional Advocacy Day | May 12 and 13, 2026 | Washington, D.C. 

Board Members from the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) and ICAA, along with other industry leaders, will gather in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, May 13, for a coordinated Congressional Advocacy Day. Your presence demonstrates the economic strength of our industry and reinforces the critical role insulation plays in lowering energy costs across America. 

Advocacy schedule 

Tuesday, May 12 

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 
Policy briefing and reception 
Location TBD, Washington, D.C. 

Wednesday, May 13 

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 
Meetings with members of Congress and staff 

ICAA and the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association will schedule meetings and prepare all briefing materials to ensure you are fully prepared and supported. Your role is simple but powerful: show up and tell our story. 

Decisions being made in Congress will shape the future of energy policy, housing affordability and our industry. With energy demand rising and affordability under pressure, policymakers need practical solutions that work now. Your voice matters. 

There is no fee to participate in the Advocacy Day events. Attendees are responsible for hotel and travel expenses. Additional information, including a negotiated rate at the host hotel, will be shared soon. 

Please confirm your participation by Friday, April 10. 

Register today.

ICAA delivers personalized services and programs for insulation professionals across the country.  

The Coffee Shops™, the award-winning online communities where the industries meet for technologies, safety, information and education for the construction trades of roofing, metal, coatings and outdoor living, are pleased to welcome Insulation Contractors Association of America (ICAA) into their community. 

ICAA has been representing insulation contractors and suppliers for over 40 years. Their mission is to develop and execute programs that advance the careers of their members. These programs include:  

• Networking opportunities: While ICAA offers a variety of networking opportunities throughout the year, their hallmark event is their annual trade show, which connects insulation contractors with “the industry’s leading manufacturers and suppliers." 
• Compliance assistance: Through a partnership with Federated Insurance, one of the largest mutual insurance companies in the nation, ICAA members can get exceptional insurance coverage for their business. Further, they receive personalized support if they encounter OSHA inspections and citations.  
• News updates: ICAA publishes a bi-monthly magazine, called the Insulation Contractors Report, that keeps members up to date with the latest technical resources and industry news. They also have access to the ICAA online archive of educational and compliance resources (which includes SPF resources) 
• Training sessions: From workplace safety to federal regulations and more, ICAA has online training programs to help their members grow their knowledge. They also offer a special program for health and safety training called the ICAA Gateway Online Training for SPF Helpers. 
• Marketing solutions: ICAA provides their members with marketing and lead generation solutions in the form of their Buyers Guide, contractor locator database and ICAA qualification program.  
• Safety resources: Ensure the safety of your team and the longevity of your business with ICAA’s safety and health resources! From checklists to model programs, they provide everything you need to keep your company happy and healthy.  
• Industry advocacy: Make your voice heard through ICAA’s industry advocacy actions. This organization acts as a collective voice advocating for insulation professionals at all levels of government.  

At the end of the day, if you are an insulation professional, ICAA is the place to be.  

The Coffee Shops are proud to welcome Insulation Contractors Association of America (ICAA)!