Organizers: 2016 roofing show sees attendance increase
Figures are major boost over last Florida show
International Roofing Show organizers say this year’s show had an attendance bump over 2015’s event in New Orleans.
Officials with organizers Informa Exhibitions say 9,493 came to the Feb. 17-19 event at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The figures were a 9 percent increase from last year’s show, and more than a thousand more than came to 2012 Orlando show, officials said.
"This was an all-around phenomenal show,” said show director Tracy Garcia. “The show floor booths were up 2% over last year, making it the largest since the inception of the show.”
Attendees, which organizers said represented all 50 states and several countries included sheet metal forming firms such as Kalkreuth Roofing and Sheet Metal of Wheeling, West Virginia.
Josh Mickle of Mickle Commercial Services said he came to see new products.
“I was very pleased with the wide variety of new products, tools and information that was available,” he said. “It is nice to be able to test a product or tool before purchasing.”
Matthew Higgins of Ruff Roofers, a first-time attendee, said he was impressed by the educational seminars the show offered.
“The conference seminars were led by extremely knowledgeable and engaging professionals, and I could not wait to return to work and begin implementing the tools they taught me,” Higgins said. “I highly recommend attending as many seminars as possible, as the information they dispense is invaluable.”
Stefan Peters of Preferred Inc. in Fort Wayne, Indiana, agreed.
I find the seminars at the IRE extremely beneficial for our business,” he said. “Discussing problem solving solutions and ideas with other contractors make the IRE an absolute must attend program.”
Next year’s show is scheduled for March 1-3 in Las Vegas.
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