Industry Leader of the Year, Associate of the Year and Golden Hammer Award winners honored at the 25th Annual NTRCA Rondi Perry Awards Banquet.

The North Texas Roofing Contractors Association (NTRCA) – a regional association whose mission is to serve roofing professional members promoting ethical standards, insights, innovation and education – hosted its annual NTRCA Awards Banquet on February 28, 2026, at The Statler Hotel in Dallas, marking the 25th year of celebrating the North Texas roofing community. During the event, the association announced its 2026 Board of Directors and recognized this year’s award recipients.

The winners of the annual Industry Leader of the Year and Associate of the Year were announced and honored for their significant contributions to the North Texas roofing industry. Past award recipients meet annually to select each year’s new honorees, continuing a tradition of peer recognition and industry excellence.

The Industry Leader of the Year honor, the association's most prestigious recognition, was awarded to Tina Hall, chief executive officer of Joe Hall Roofing & Contracting. The Associate of the Year honor was awarded to Karen Ensley, partner with Ensley Benitez Law PC.

In a special tribute during the evening, several board members from 25 years ago, led by then-president Sandra McGlothlin of Empire Holdings, raised a toast to the late Rondi Perry, who established the Awards Banquet to recognize and celebrate excellence in the North Texas roofing industry.

The 2026 NTRCA board members were also sworn in during the NTRCA Awards Banquet. The 2026 board members include:

• President: Chris Arrington – Arrington Roofing Co. Inc.
• Past President: Bret Foster – Bret Foster Roofing Inc.
• President-Elect: Jimmy Porch – Myriad Roofing & Waterproofing
• Treasurer: Chase Walker – GAF
• Anthony Applegate – Banner Roofing & Construction LLC
• Ida Buttarazzi-Meals – CertainTeed
• Evan Fitts – IKO
• Randy Hurtado – DT Roofing
• Travis Jones – Smart Roof Texas LLC
• Miranda Lisman – ABC supply
• Justin Minor – QXO
• Renee Urso – Roof Technology Partners
• Jeremiah Valentine – Malarkey Roofing Products
• Kirk Scott – Scott Exteriors
• Karen Ensley – Ensley Benitez Law PC
• Kristin Lonergan – Champion Commercial Insurance

Additionally, Golden Hammer Award winners were recognized. Contractor members submit top projects in a variety of residential and commercial roofing categories in the Fall. The applications are then reviewed by experts in each category who identify the top projects to receive Golden Hammer Awards.

The Golden Hammer Awards celebrate exceptional projects that exemplify craftsmanship, innovation, safety and solutions to unique logistical challenges. This year’s recipients were:

Residential Project Winners

• Infinite Roofing: The Justice Residence Project
• Infinite Roofing: The Fudge Project
• Tom Drake Roofing: The Pulp Fiction Project

Commercial Project Winners

• Anchor Roofing Systems: The DFW Area Psychiatric Hospital
• KPost Roofing & Waterproofing: The National Medal of Honor Museum
• Supreme Roofing: DFW Terminal A Roof Replacement

Residential Community Service Winners

• Brettco Roofing: St. Barbara’s Catholic Church
• PROCO Roofing: Trinity Habitat
• PROCO Roofing: Sandy Lake Project

Commercial Community Service Winner

• Paradigm Roof+Shield: Red, White and Roof Veterans Giveaway

Residential Metal Winners

• Absolute Construction: Absolute Excellence on Cedar Creek Lake
• PROCO Roofing: The Mount Gilead Project
• Scott Exteriors: The Lake Highlands Standing Seam Project

Commercial Metal Winners

• Anchor Roofing Systems: Deloitte University NW 1 Building
• Texas Roof Management: Frisco Central Fire Station
• Zenith Roofing & Waterproofing: 8080 North Central Expressway

Residential Tile Winners

• Joe Hall Roofing and Contracting: The Spanish Style Home
• Ramon Roofing: The Canterbury Project
• The Velco Group: Cressman Chateau Du Lac

Specialty Residential Winners

• Absolute Construction: 15-Year Davinci Anniversary Home
• Joe Hall Roofing and Contracting: EDCO ArrowLine Slate Estate
• Paradigm Roof+Shield: Pecan Island Brava Shake Job

Residential Innovations Winners

• Bert Roofing: Park Lane Dilbeck Cedar Roof Restoration
• D. Bassett Roofing & Renovation: The Fordyce Project
• Greenleaf Roofing: Tour 18 Estates Euroshield Hail Proof System
• Paradigm Roof+Shield: Project Solstice Savannah: A CertainTeed Solar Innovation

Commercial Innovations Winners

• Arrington Roofing Co. Inc.: St. Paul United Methodist Church
• Joe Hall Roofing & Contracting: Arborlawn United Methodist Church

The NTRCA continues to celebrate innovation and craftsmanship, setting the standard for roofing excellence across North Texas. Congratulations to all winners and honorees for their outstanding contributions to the roofing industry!

Sponsors for this year’s Annual NTRCA Awards Banquet included: SRS Building Products as lead sponsor, and specialty sponsors QXO, GAF, Supreme Roofing, RCAT, IB Roof Systems, CertainTeed, Springtree Restoration, IKO, Unity Insurance Partners, Owens Corning Sales, Empire Holdings, Polyglass USA, Boyd Shackelford Barnett & Dixon, Ensley Benitez Law PC, Roofers Going Digital, Georgia-Pacific, Malarkey Roofing Products and TAMKO Building Products.

About North Texas Roofing Contractors Association

The North Texas Roofing Contractors Association (NTRCA) is a resource for professional roofing contractors and associates working and doing business in North Texas. NTRCA also serves as a resource for individuals and businesses looking for qualified and competent roofing contractors. Roofing professionals must meet NTRCA eligibility requirements and agree to adhere to the NTRCA code of ethics to be members of the organization. NTRCA provides educational training sessions, mentoring, networking and community service opportunities for its members. For more information, please visit www.ntrca.com.

By North Texas Roofing Contractors Association (NTRCA). 

NTRCA’s bowling event offered networking opportunities, friendly competition and seasonal festivities for attendees. 

The North Texas Roofing Contractors Association (NTRCA) brought the local industry together for a festive year-end celebration on December 11, 2025, hosting members and guests for a bowling social at Bowlounge Dallas. The event welcomed professionals from across the roofing community, including partners from the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) and Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT), for an evening focused on connection, camaraderie and celebrating shared success in the North Texas market. 

Designed to blend networking with holiday fun, the gathering featured friendly competition on the lanes, seasonal food and drinks and plenty of opportunities to reconnect with colleagues. From spirited bowling matchups to lively conversations, the night captured the energy and unity that define NTRCA and its commitment to strengthening relationships throughout the regional roofing industry. 

Giving back with Toys for Tots 

Thank you to everyone participating in our Toys for Tots drive! Together, we collected over 100 toys and donated $1,700. We’re proud to make a difference in our community alongside our members and partners. 

Most Festive Contest winners  

• 1st place - Kiki Fuller 
• 2nd place - Will Greer 
• 3rd place - Sidney Curtis 

Bowling winners - 5:45 p.m. session  

• 1st place - Reese Arrington  
• 2nd place - Chris Arrington 
• 3rd place - Reagan Cross 

Bowling winners - 7:00 p.m. session  

• 1st place - Sidney Curtis 
• 2nd place - Chad Davis 
• 3rd place - Toni Kuncl  

Thank you to our sponsors 

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Thank you for helping us create such a fun and meaningful night for our members: 

• 838 Coatings 
• Calhoun Law Firm 
• Dataforma
• Fisher Roofing Company 
• GAF
• Inland Coatings 
• In The Dry 
• KAW Roofing 
• Malarkey Roofing Products
• MFM Building Products Corp.
• MRB Mechanical 
• OMG Roofing Products 
• Service First Solutions
• Sika Corporation
• Topps Products

Be sure to check out the photos from the event and relive the highlights! 

Original article and photo source: NTRCA

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how Roofle has transformed lead generation, making the process easier for both contractors and homeowners. 

Just recently The Coffee Shops™ crew got the opportunity to explore the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT)’s 46th annual trade show and expo! While there, we thoroughly enjoyed the two days' full of educational seminars, a keynote speech from Hans Johnson of TWF System about financial freedom, networking events like the annual golf tournament and exploring the trade show floor of over 150 exhibitors! While there, we also got a chance to catch up with our friends from around the industry! In this interview, Heidi J. Ellsworth stopped by the Roofle booth to chat with Mike Goldenstein.  

Mike, who is Roofle’s chief revenue officer, spoke about the exciting ways Roofle is focusing their efforts on supporting contractors. He started by sharing the basics of what they do over at Roofle, saying, “We are a top of funnel lead generation tool for contractor's websites that allows them to give instant estimates right through their website.” This integration allows contractors to get more leads by making the roofing process more transparent for homeowners. He elaborated, “Homeowners are hungry in that transparency. Getting to see that price along with all the other things that they need to know, like warranty and reviews, is key.” 

We can see this desire for transparency and more information up front displayed in some data that Mike shared. He explained, “10 years ago, 20% of homeowners already knew they were going to make a purchase from that contractor before they ever called them or gave them their contact information. That was 10 years ago, today that number is up over 70% and Marcus Sheridan writes that in the next five years it is going to be up over 90%.”  

These numbers back up what the folks at Roofle have been saying, it is in contractors’ best interest to provide homeowners with all the information they need to make a decision before even making a phone call. Mike explained, “A roof is not cheap, and homeowners have to make a right decision, so if they can't get the information that they need, they move on to the next source. That's why it's so important to have that that virtual experience for your homeowner so that they can make the right choice and choose you as a contractor to do that work in the correct manner.” 

Watch the full interview below or on the RoofersCoffeeShop YouTube channel to hear more about what these homeowner purchasing trends mean for the future of the contracting industry. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how RCAT is filling the licensing gap in Texas and pushing the industry to higher levels of professionalism and expertise. 

In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Karen Edwards sat down with Holly Green and Sarah Ramon of the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) to talk about their work to support contractors in Texas. Sarah, who is the executive director of RCAT, explained that being a contractor in Texas poses a very unique challenge, “The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation does not oversee a license for roofing contractors in Texas.” 

The lack of regulation can make it difficult for home and business owners to know which contractors to trust and can make it hard to gauge the quality of the industry on a whole. Sarah explained, “Anybody in Texas can call themselves a roofing contractor. You don't have to have any experience, you don't have to have insurance, you don't have to have a license, you don't have to have anything. And so unfortunately, in Texas, roofing scams are perpetuated at a very high rate.”  

As a response, RCAT has developed their own, voluntary licensing program to fill the gap. This program gives contractors an easy way to show home and building owners that they have insurance, they have gone through a background check and they have the expertise needed to complete a quality job. If you’re a Texas contractor interested, RCAT hosts a bootcamp every year to help contractors learn and train to pass the certification tests online. Sarah shared a bit of what this bootcamp entails, “We go through the material, through the business and safety, the residential and the commercial roofing modules with you. We have a 99% pass rate with the bootcamp. Then, you can take the test online, at any time.” 

Holly, who is RCAT’s current president and the owner of her own company out of Fort Worth, Texas called Brettco Roofing, is one of the contractors that has gone through this certification process. She pointed out that being vetted by an independent third-party really helps her set her business apart from the crowd, “It's helped me help my customers understand that I take pride not only in the work that we do, but the way we do it, we install it per manufacturer specs, we follow all of the specifications when we're vetting projects, from commercial to residential as well.” 

Read the transcript or Listen to the conversation for more about this program and how RCAT is helping the roofing industry in Texas. 

By Jesse Sanchez.

High-performance roofing products designed for extreme conditions.

Brava Roof Tile, a leader in composite roofing tiles, showcased its innovative products at the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) 2024 expo. Ted McNally, territory manager for Brava, discussed the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality, long-lasting roofing solutions, particularly suited for regions prone to extreme weather. Living in Texas, it's a guarantee you're going to get hit with hail, Ted explained, expressing the significance of durability in Texas roofing materials. 

Brava’s roofing tiles are designed to offer a blend of aesthetically pleasing design and unmatched durability. The company markets these products as "life tiles," highlighting their longevity and maintenance-free design. Ted stressed that these tiles are built to withstand harsh environmental conditions, such as hailstorms and hurricanes, making them an ideal choice for Texas homeowners. The company’s product range includes several styles, like Old World Slate, Brava Shake and the popular Barrel Tile, offering a wide array of color options and sizes. These tiles provide both function and form, catering to the diverse architectural tastes of homeowners. 

In addition to roofing tiles, Brava introduced its Aspire Line pavers last year, further expanding its product portfolio. This interlocking grid system is designed for flat roofing applications, decks and pool areas, providing a versatile solution for both residential and commercial projects. The Aspire Line, much like Brava’s other roofing tiles, comes in various colors and is customizable to meet different design preferences. 

Ted states the importance of showcasing Brava’s offerings at events like RCAT, particularly in Texas, where the need for high-quality roofing materials is crucial. "Everybody here knows roofing. It's quality and because you need great roofing solutions to live in a place like Texas," he said. 

To learn more, McNulty encouraged customers to visit Brava’s website. The company plans to exhibit next at the Western States Expo, continuing to build its reputation for durable, innovative roofing products. 

To learn more about Brava at the RCAT 2024 Expo, watch the full interview!

By Emma Peterson. 

FlashCo has prefabricated roofing solutions for whatever a contractor might need in the field! 

Make sure to grab a FlashCo prefabricated accessory before you head out to the job site! FlashCo, which has been around the industry for 25 years now, aims to supply contractors with standard and custom flashings for TPO, PVC, BUR, shingle and clay tile roofing systems. They pride themselves on offering quality and dependable products along with a timely, responsive customer service experience. While at the 2024 Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT)’s tradeshow, Megan Ellsworth caught up with Rick Santolaya to find out more about why FlashCo is the place to go to when looking for accessories!  

Rick is FlashCo’s national sales manager and has been with them through most of their operations, having started 24 years ago. He highlighted a few of their new products, starting with their new TPO coated edge metal. Rick explained, “It saves the contractor a lot of time in comparison to the old way they used to do it. With this, they just need to clean the spot and put the cover strip that's already pre-bent on. Then they can hand weld and it’s ready to go!”  

He also showcased their free attached membrane for edge metal and their scuppers. Both of these are also designed to save contractors time by being pre-fabricated. Rick explained how this drives all of their development, “Contractors don't want to fabricate these out in field, so we made them ready to go, ready to be installed...so any kind of pipe penetrations, drainage, venting, we do it all.” And not only do they have a wide range of products in stock, the FlashCo team is also able to design made-to-order and full custom parts for contractors with unique projects. 

For more about how FlashCo makes contractors’ lives easier with their hot-to-go products, watch the full interview!  

By Hannah Ford. 

The traditions of community engagement at the Texas Roofing Conference. 

In this Roofing Road Trips® podcast episode, Karen Edwards visits with Holly Green and Sarah Ramon from the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT). They discuss the tremendous progress the Texas Roofing Conference has made in the last four decades.   

Holly Green, the president of RCAT, and Sarah Ramon, the executive director, have spent a considerable effort preparing to host the 49 Texas Roofing Conference. Over the past forty-nine years, the Texas Roofing Conference has seen considerable transformation in the roofing industry and has been at the forefront of new roofing innovations. “We do this conference once a year, and it's a great time for everybody to get together and see a lot of those friendly, familiar faces that you don't get to see very often,” said Sarah. “That's the thing that excites me the most. I mean, we are growing. I try to get this a little bit bigger and get a few more people in the door every single year. This year, we've got 150 exhibitors, 23 programs, three days worth of events.” 

RCAT is constantly looking for ways to give back to the roofing community and some of their best outreach comes from the Texas Roofing Conference. “We're raising money for our PAC fund, which of course helps with our legislation. We've got an upcoming year of legislation,” Holly shared. Through the Texas Roofing Conference, RCAT is able to raise money to fund their ability to contribute to statewide legislation that supports roofers.  

Supporting education is at the top of mind at the Texas Roofing Conference as participants attend various educational panels throughout the three days. While raising money for roofing legislation, RCAT also raises money for students to help fund their educational journey. “We have our scholarship program that I'm the committee chair on, that we have only 300 tickets, and you have a chance to win $5,000. You can buy a ticket for $50 to possibly win $5,000,” Holly announced. Tickets are available for purchase in person at the conference or online on the RCAT website. “We do this every year. It raises money for our scholarship foundation. This year, we're actually giving away a little over $51,000. Those students have already been selected and notified, and we're in the process of cutting out those checks,” explained Sarah. “You don't have to be present to win, but that's an exciting part of the wrap-up of the trade show on Friday. Draws a big crowd, everybody's waiting. And there's more prizes that we draw as well, but that is a lot of fun on Friday at the show.” 

The Texas Roofing Conference is an exciting time for RCAT and roofing professionals around the country. Participants have the chance to engage and learn from other roofing professionals and win $5,000 in a charity raffle.  

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about the special events at the Texas Roofing Conference. 

By Dani Sheehan. 

Shine your boots, pack your bags and saddle up for the Texas roofing trade show of the year. 

Dust off your boots and grab your cowboy hat for this exciting two-day expo! The Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) is hosting its 49th annual Texas Roofing Conference in Irving, Texas, September 11-13, 2024. This event gives you the chance to network, learn and discover the latest in roofing innovations. Whether you’re looking to expand your commercial or residential business, this is the place to be. 

Plan your schedule and hit the ground running to take advantage of as many educational sessions as you can! The conference kicks off with a bang on Thursday, September 12, with a hearty attendee breakfast at 7:00 a.m. Mingle with fellow contractors, swap stories and get ready for a day packed with learning opportunities. Seminars start promptly at 7:30 a.m. on the third floor of the convention center, so make sure you’re registered early to secure your spot in front of the industry’s best and brightest. 

Educational sessions you won’t want to miss 

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the must-attend sessions: 

7:30 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. (Meeting room 1): “Is the Leak Really the Roof” by Glen Clapper 

• National Roofing Contractors Association’s (NRCA) Glen Clapper will explore the often-overlooked causes of water leakage that aren’t related to roofing issues. You’ll leave with a better understanding of the critical relationship between roofs and walls, plus one continuing education unit (CEU).  

8:30 a.m. - 9:20 a.m. (Jr. Ballroom A-B): “Mastering Podcast Marketing for Your Business” by Megan Ellsworth and Heidi J. Ellsworth 

• The Coffee Shops’ very own Megan and Heidi provide an energetic and engaging presentation on the world of podcast marketing. Learn how to use this modern tool to connect with the next generation of roofers and build a strong brand presence.  

8:30 a.m. - 9:20 a.m. (Meeting room 2): “State of the Industry: A Legal Perspective” by Trent Cotney 

• Trent Cotney, partner at Adams and Reese LLP, will break down the latest legal challenges facing the roofing industry, from OSHA regulations to employment and immigration issues. Stay ahead of the curve with insights on this year’s trends. 

9:30 a.m. - 10:20 a.m. (Meeting room 2): “Standing Seam Basics” by Charlie Smith 

• McElroy Metal takes you through the ins and outs of standing seam metal roofs. Learn how to choose the right system for various applications and elevate your metal roofing skills.  

For a complete list of educational seminars, download the full schedule of events and start planning your conference experience. And don’t forget – The Coffee Shops will be at booth #352, so swing by and say hello! 

Register today for the 49th Annual Texas Roofing Conference! 

Editor's note: The following is the transcript of a live interview with Sarah Ramon and Holly Green of Roofing Contractors Association of Texas. You can read the interview below or listen to the podcast.

Intro: Welcome to Roofing Road Trips, the podcast that takes you on a thrilling journey across the world of roofing. From fascinating interviews with roofing experts to on-the-road adventures, we'll uncover the stories, innovations and challenges that shape the rooftops over our heads. So fasten your seat belts and join us as we embark on this exciting roofing road trip.

Karen Edwards: Welcome to another episode of Roofing Road Trips. I'm your guest host, Karen Edwards, and today, we are going to be talking about the Texas Roofing Conference and we've got folks from the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas joining us on today's episode, Sarah Ramon and Holly Green. Welcome, ladies.

Holly Green: Welcome, thank you for for having us.

Sarah Ramon: Yeah, thank you so much.

Karen Edwards: Now, just for our listeners who might not know, I'm sure that many do, but Sarah, could you introduce yourself and tell us what your role there is at RCAP?

Sarah Ramon: Yes, I am the executive director here at RCAP. I've been here almost 13 years. I am super, super, super proud of this organization that we have in our 49th year and just extremely happy to be part of the crew here and contributing to this great industry that we're in.

Karen Edwards: Thank you. And Holly, what's your role with RCAP?

Holly Green: Well, I am currently the president of RCAP for this year, and I own and operate a roofing company in Fort Worth, Texas. It's called Brettco Roofing. Been in the industry since 1988, that's a long time. I was 12 when we got started. That's what I tell everybody. Anyhow, 37 years, owner, operator, odd jobs, do everything that pretty much anybody does on a job site.

Karen Edwards: Wow, and you've seen a lot of changes and a lot of things happening in the roofing industry in Texas, I'm sure, during that length of time. And Sarah, you said 13 years-

Holly Green: Oh, yeah.

Karen Edwards: ... and this is the 49th conference. I feel like the conference just keeps getting bigger every year. Is there something that you're most excited about for this year's?

Sarah Ramon: Well, not one thing in particular, I'm super excited to get together with everyone and see everyone again. We do this conference once a year, and it's a great time for everybody to get together and see a lot of those friendly, familiar faces that you don't get to see very often. So I think that's the thing that excites me the most. I mean, we are growing. I try to get this a little bit bigger and get a few more people in the door every single year. This year, we've got 150 exhibitors, 23 programs, three days worth of events. So it's a lot, but it's a lot of fun.

Karen Edwards: It sure is, and let's get right down the basics and say the dates of the conference are September 11th through the 13th, correct?

Sarah Ramon: That's right.

Karen Edwards: And where is that going to be this year?

Sarah Ramon: We are at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas. So in the Dallas-Fort Worth area again this year. We hop between major markets in Texas, so Dallas-Fort Worth always seems to be our most highly-attended events. So yeah, we're excited to be back in that area again this year.

Karen Edwards: That's fantastic. Now, Holly, what are you most looking forward to for this year's conference?

Holly Green: Oh, I'm really super excited. I can't believe it's been... Sarah and I picked the venue and she looked at me like I was incredibly insane and I said, "Let's try it in the middle of the Metroplex instead of off in Great Vine or somewhere else." So I've attended events at the Las Colinas Convention... The Convention Center in Irving and I think it'll bring a lot of adventure for everybody, because we have two different types of hotels. We're going to have some really good events on our opening night, where we're going to have... I think Sarah's planning on putting me in jail and I have to bail myself out to help us to... And not only me, but I said there are some people we're going to put in jail and pay to keep them there.

So we're raising money for our PAC fund, which of course helps with our legislation. We've got an upcoming year of legislation, so I'm looking forward to that. I'm looking forward to our keynote speaker, who is actually a person that I've been following and working with, for since 2016. His name is Hans Johnson, and this is, like, he very rarely does keynote speaking and he has offered to be here for us and we're super excited about it.

But yeah, I think getting to see everybody, it's always so much fun. I'm hoarse by the time we get done with the event, because I've spoke so much. And of course, we have our scholarship program that I'm the committee chair on, that we have only 300 tickets and you have a chance to win $5,000. So anyone out there listening, if you plan on attending or if you don't plan on attending, go on to RCAT.net. Is that correct, Sarah? And go look under scholarship and there's a link. You can buy a ticket for $50 to possibly win $5,000. So just letting you know, they go fast.

Sarah Ramon: Yeah, and-

Karen Edwards: And so will you do the drawing-

Sarah Ramon: [inaudible 00:05:53] don't have to be [inaudible 00:05:53].

Karen Edwards: ... [inaudible 00:05:53] to win?

Sarah Ramon: [inaudible 00:05:54].

Karen Edwards: Yeah, I was going to ask.

Sarah Ramon: [inaudible 00:05:56].

Holly Green: You're doing the drawing at the event, but...

Sarah Ramon: Yeah, we do this every year. It raises money for our scholarship foundation. This year, we're actually giving away a little over $51,000. Those students have already been selected and notified, and we're in the process of cutting out those checks. So yeah, definitely buy a raffle ticket, 50 bucks for a chance to win $5,000. We only sell 300 tickets, but yeah and you don't have to be present to win, but that's a really exciting part of the wrap-up of the trade show on Friday. Draws a big crowd, everybody's waiting. And there's more prizes that we draw as well, but that is a lot of fun on Friday at the show.

Karen Edwards: Okay, so getting started, you have a golf tournament, right? Is that your kind of first-day activity?

Sarah Ramon: We do. We sell out two 18-hole courses. We have 288 players out there. We're at Bear Creek, right by the Dallas Airport, DFW. And that is a great event as well, always a lot of fun. Good to get people together on Wednesday before the conference begins. And then, after the golf tournament, Wednesday evening, we have the welcome reception. It's at the Texican Court across the street from the Irving Convention Center. A really, really cool venue. We'll have some live music, and everybody can come in and say hello and spend some time networking before the conference really kicks off, down to business on Thursday morning.

Karen Edwards: So I was looking at on your website, at RCAT.net, which we mentioned and you've got the full schedule of classes out there.

Sarah Ramon: We do.

Karen Edwards: And the topics are so interesting. There's culture, there's insurance work, there's legal folks presenting, there's marketing, there's sales. It's almost like, you name it, you're going to find something that is going to be of value to your business.

Sarah Ramon: Yeah, absolutely. I think one of the hottest topics this year from a legal perspective is this misclassification of employees, 1099 versus W-2. The federal government is really coming down hard, and has issued some further mandates on that. So yeah, we've got, like you said, legal, sales, marketing, safety, technical, little bit of everything for everybody.

Karen Edwards: And I'll just give a little plug that Megan Ellsworth and Heidi Ellsworth from Roofers Coffee Shop will be presenting one of those classes on how to market your business by starting a podcast. So that's really exciting. I wish I would be there to hear them present, but I'm sure they're going to do a great job.

Sarah Ramon: Yeah, they are always really, really well received.

Holly Green: Yeah, [inaudible 00:08:52].

Sarah Ramon: So great topic for the future [inaudible 00:08:54]-

Holly Green: [inaudible 00:08:54] information.

Karen Edwards: Yeah, and part of the workshops and the learning is I'm sure a lot of the classes are interactive, so you can hear from some of your fellow attendees, maybe what they're doing or things that they might be experiencing. So you're not only learning from the presenters, I think you're also learning from your fellow attendees and that networking is important.

Sarah Ramon: Yeah, absolutely and we've got a great panel on Friday morning with some familiar faces, but this panel will be made up of commercial and residential roofing contractors, public adjusters and attorneys, both carrier and contractor attorneys. Steve Badger and Steve Patrick will be there. This is always a great one too that draws a large crowd and it's interactive, so you can submit a question for the panel to answer and this is a two-hour program. Like I said, this will be really exciting and it's really what the future holds in the roofing industry for insurance and claims. We're seeing a lot of change. Insurance deductibles and premiums are increasing, and things are really changing out there for the store restoration contractors.

Karen Edwards: Yeah, and Texas certainly has its share of restoration work and whether they're local contractors that are established and working in Texas or some that may be coming in from out of market even, it's important I think for them to understand regulations and what's to come in the future, so that does sound very interesting.

Sarah Ramon: Absolutely.

Karen Edwards: Now, let's talk a little bit about licensing, because Texas, the state of Texas technically does not have licensing requirements for roofing contractors, but that's where RCAT has stepped up and developed a voluntary licensing program. So I'd like to talk a little bit about that, because I think you guys are going to be providing some information on the licensing for folks and what should a contractor expect that maybe can they learn how to voluntarily become licensed?

Sarah Ramon: Yeah, so me Holly, she's a voluntarily licensed contractor in the state, so I want her to give some perspective on this from a contractor standpoint. But let me cover just the facts, the basics. No, the state of Texas, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation does not oversee a license for roofing contractors in Texas. And so RCAT developed this program, and yes, we call it a license and we legally do so. This gets a lot of heat, it gets people stirred up in the state of Texas, but we developed this voluntary self-regulation to raise the bar in the roofing industry.

We think that consumers in Texas deserve more, deserve better. Anybody in Texas can call themselves a roofing contractor. You don't have to have any experience, you don't have to have insurance, you don't have to have a license, you don't have to have anything. And so unfortunately, in Texas, roofing scams are perpetuated at a very high rate. And so this is, like I said, voluntary self-regulation, but you can set yourself apart from the rest of the pack in Texas by showing that you really care, that you've proven you carry insurance, your business has been through a background check.

There's a criminal history check on the person who's getting the license, you have to pass examinations. So we offer, at least once a year, they do come around a little more often, but specifically at the conference once a year, we have what's called our bootcamp. And so this bootcamp is designed to help you prepare for those exams. Those exams are not easy. It's not a joke, it's a difficult program. The standards are high, and we do everything that TDLR would in any event, because hopefully at some point, Texas does have a license for roofing contractors.

But the bootcamp is designed to help you prepare for those exams. So we go through the material, through the business and safety, the residential and the commercial roofing modules with you. We have a 99% pass rate with the bootcamp. We also offer the testing online, any time. You don't have to be a member of RCAT, it's any qualifying Texas roofing contractor can participate in the program and you can watch the courses online and take the exams online as well, at any time throughout the year.

But the bootcamp is super special, because it's very interactive. You have an opportunity to learn a lot and ask a lot of questions, whereas you don't online. And like I said, we have a 99% pass rate for those people taking those exams, which aren't easy. That's on Thursday, and then on Friday morning, you take the exams and for those people participating in this session, you'll receive an all-access pass to the entire conference and all of those events.

Karen Edwards: Wow. So Holly, as a licensed RCAT contractor in Texas, I'd like to hear from you what this has meant for your business and maybe how it's helped you and how it's perceived in the eyes of your customers.

Holly Green: Well, number one, what I love is the fact that you are being vetted by a third party and it proves that you are a legit business person running a company and that you don't have any bad background as they say. I did not take my test until, I believe, 20... I don't know, it's been a while. I don't know, probably seven or eight years I guess is what I've... And I'd always wanted something that could help me set myself apart from everybody else, that I knew the technical issues, all the different types of applications. And it just helped me to be able to explain, once reading the books from NRCA and the business portion that we created with RCAP, running a business in Texas, it is different running a business in Texas versus somewhere else.

It is kind of, as they always say, the Wild, Wild West. But it's helped me help my customers understand that I take pride not only in the work that we do, but that we do do it, we install it per manufacturer specs, we follow all of the specifications when we're vetting projects, from commercial to residential as well. And we try to come up with the best systems that will meet the budget of our customers. And I think it also comforts them to know that we have insurance. And especially in the state of Texas, if you do commercial work, you tend to have workers' comp. It's not required on residential, but fortunately, my company particularly has commercial. We do commercial and residential, and it's just one more way of verifying that we are who we are, that we do the right thing.

And that's the one thing in my company, it's like above all else, always do the right thing. And that's what I like, is that I'm setting myself out there with another group of people that also try to do the right thing, especially when it comes to roofing. I can't tell you how many times we tear into systems that are not done correctly, that there are four and five and six layers of underlayment that have never been removed. These people have had multiple roofs put on and they don't understand why they have a leaking roof.

And then it's like, and then we come in and tear it all down to the substrate and take care of it and do it right, replace the substrate that's damaged and install the valley systems and follow the city codes and do everything we're supposed to. And really, and you have not only the field knowledge, but you also have all this legitimate information from all the technical books and the manufacturers and you go, "Oh, that's why we do this. Now, I understand." You realize that if your underlayment is not ever torn off all the way to the substrate, you're not going to have a warranty.

Well, we want our customers to have a warranty and then we're able to offer them better warranties, because we're also certified with most of our manufacturers, too. But yeah, it's helped my company. It's helped me personally to grow in the industry, and also to share that with others and encourage them to become members of associations, to give back into the community of roofing, in the roofing industry and that we do try to... All are working to be represented better than two chucks and a truck, those types of things.

And it is just a great program, I'm so glad to be a part of it. And I encourage anyone, member or non-member, the test is not that easy. I know we have a really good rate [inaudible 00:18:55], but I'm going to tell you, when I got done with it, I took commercial and residential the same day. I was like, "Oh, my goodness, I think I just went back to college and went through my worst finals in the accounting and finance and everything else that..." I mean, you've got to be able to know where to go get this information and be able to pass the test. So just letting you know, it's not as easy as everybody thinks it is, but it's definitely worth the time and the effort. And what I love is that you also have to do continuing education. That is another reason why we do the conference.

Sarah does an incredible job with our conference. I mean, she just blows it out of the water every year. And we have improved on what we do. We actually record, video record every one of our sessions. If you're a member, you're able to go and access those items online, because there's so many things. You want to go see all the different classes, but you can't be in all of them all at the same time.

Now, you have the opportunity to go back and watch it online and that helps you get your continuing education hours as well. I do not understand how some people think they cannot get enough hours. And I'm like, "If you're not doing at least 30 or 40 hours in continuing education in your industry, then you're not engaged." And I think it's time we all ask owners, and operators and people in the industry, "Step up, be engaged, because if we don't, we're going to get taken over by something else that we don't want."

Karen Edwards: Yeah, you know, you always want to be continuously learning, because there are new things happening all the time.

Holly Green: Oh, yeah.

Karen Edwards: As you've seen, someone in this industry for so long, you see there's new technologies, there's new products, there's new methods of doing things.

Holly Green: Right, right, correct and that's what's so great to go back to a customer and go, "You know, I gave you a great roof the last time, but you really got a good roof this time, because these are the things that have changed. These products have improved. Here's why we can give you better warranties. Here's why we can help you build a system that can help you get a discount on your insurance with class four shingles instead of Texas..." If you install a Class four shingle, you can give them a certificate to get a discount on their homeowner's premiums. So that helps them overall lower their output costs as well, so that's what I love about it. I mean, it's just a great program.

Sarah Ramon: Yeah. As Holly mentioned, that's one very important part of education at the conference. We want to make sure that those licensed contractors who are required to provide us proof of eight continuing hours of education every year can come to the conference and literally knock it out in two days. You don't have to do that. We have hundreds of hours of education online in our portal available to these people, but I'm kind of the opinion that there's no excuse for not continuing to learn in any industry, honestly, because you're just falling behind your competition and everyone else, if you're not out there understanding what's new, what's trending.

I mean, just marketing alone, look how fast that changes, trends change, social media, et cetera. So it's very important to stay engaged and to learn, and that's why at the conference, we try to offer such a diverse package of education for you that is helpful to both residential and commercial contractors and improve your business acumen all the way around.

Karen Edwards: Yeah, very well put. And that just lends itself to bringing multiple members of your team, right? Maybe bring your marketing person, maybe bring your project managers, because there's an opportunity for everyone to take away a little bit of information and knowledge from this conference.

Sarah Ramon: Yeah, look at that list of 150 exhibitors coming in. You've got suppliers, manufacturers, software providers for your CRMs bidding, estimating, marketing. Roofers Coffee Shop will have a booth there as well. There's just so much there in such a diverse mix of things to see that, yes, really it's for anybody, your owners, your operations, your project managers, even your crews, too. One really cool thing we're doing new this year, which we didn't touch on educationally, is we're doing some demos on the trade show floor. So we're super excited to have Ludowici Tile.

They'll be doing a class, Polyglass, will be talking about underlayment technology and so we have a few of them. Oh, GAF Energy, the new solar roofing, not solar panels, but solar roofing materials. That's a big upcoming trend that we're going to be seeing a lot of. So we're excited to be having these hands-on training and demos with these groups on the trade show floor, both Thursday and Friday as well. Not just educational seminars, but those too.

Karen Edwards: Hey, there's nothing better than seeing it, right, in action-

Sarah Ramon: Yeah.

Karen Edwards: ... and being able to touch and feel. So I always tell people, if you're listening to this, you're planning to go, please go on the website a week ahead of time, even two weeks ahead of time and make your list of, "Hey, I want to see this exhibitor or I want to see this product or I want to attend this demonstration or these classes." Because if you just show up, it can be a little overwhelming, right? Because there is so much to see and do.

Sarah Ramon: Yeah.

Karen Edwards: So just take that little bit of time and plan it out ahead of time. And how do they get registered to attend?

Sarah Ramon: So you can register online. It is RCAT.net/TradeShow. All the information that you need, all the events, registration details are there. We will also be launching our mobile app about three to four weeks prior to the show, which is a great way too to plan your day, because you can literally bookmark classes that you want to attend. It'll send you reminders and notifications. So yeah, RCAT.net/TradeShow will have everything that you need to know.

Karen Edwards: Excellent. Well, thank you both for being here. It's really exciting, all the stuff that you have planned and all the knowledge that everyone is going to be able to gain by attending the show. So please get yourselves registered, download that app when it's available and go to Heidi and Megan's podcast class, because that'll be a lot of fun or send your marketing people to it, definitely.

And thank you, Holly. Thank you, Sarah. It's been a pleasure to learn about everything that's happening at the show. Thank you, everyone out there for listening. Be sure to follow us on social media, follow RCAT on social media too, to stay on top of the latest updates and advances with the show. And we will see you on a future episode of Roofing Road Trips. Thanks.

Outro: If you've enjoyed the ride, don't forget to hit that subscribe button and join us on every roofing adventure. Make sure to visit RoofersCoffeeShop.com to learn more. Thanks for tuning in, and we'll catch you on the next Roofing Road Trip.
 

By Dani Sheehan. 

Discover the latest trends and innovations in roofing at NTRCA’s Not So Mini Trade Show. 

The North Texas Roofing Contractors Association (NTRCA) is gearing up for its highly anticipated annual event, the Not So Mini Trade Show, on August 8, 2024, at the Hilton DFW Lakes in Grapevine, Texas! The premier gathering for roofing professionals in North Texas, this trade show offers a blend of networking, learning and leisure. Attendees can look forward to escaping the summer heat while engaging with industry leaders and other contractors over a refreshing cold beer and hearty lunch. 

The trade show is designed to be straightforward yet highly effective. It serves as a platform for contractors to gain insights into the latest industry trends, products and services with a diverse range of exhibitors. You’ll have the chance to learn more about innovative solutions and create lasting partnerships to enhance your company. 

All exhibitors at the show will be provided with a standard, six-foot table to ensure the focus remains on direct and personal interactions as you make your way through the exhibit floor. Join industry giants including Beacon Building Products, EagleView, GAF, Owens Corning, Polyglass, TAMKO and Western Colloid who are already planning to attend. You can also make connections with associations like MRCA, National Women in Roofing (NWIR) and RCAT by registering to attend. 

One of the most cost-effective shows to participate in, you’ll have access to a huge range of Texas roofing contractors, manufacturers and distributors without the high expenses typically associated with larger events. Not only will you have incredible opportunities for education and networking, but you will also have the chance to win various prizes. 

The Not So Mini Trade Show promises to be a highlight of the year for roofing professionals throughout Texas. Join other like-minded individuals in combining business with pleasure in a way that fosters growth and collaboration within the industry. 

For more information and to register for the event, visit the NTRCA Trade Show page.