2014 International Roofing Expo Draws History-making Attendance in Las Vegas

March 16, 2014

Returning to Las Vegas was a lucky charm for Hanley Wood Exhibitions’ 2014 International Roofing Expo, which saw record-breaking attendance Feb. 26-28 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

The show drew a total attendance of 9,568, a 13-percent increase, compared with the 2013 show in San Antonio, and a 20-percent increase in verified attendees, compared with 2013.

“With a fresh sense of optimism and excitement, the 2014 International Roofing Expo drew the largest attendance in the show’s history,” said Tracy Garcia, IRE show director.

She added, "In addition, the tradeshow floor was the largest since 2008.”

Attendees included commercial and residential contractors, builders, remodelers, building owners, facility managers, manufacturers, architects, engineers and other related industry professionals.

They also came from all 50 states, with the bulk of attendees hailing from California, Texas, Illinois, Colorado, Ohio, Georgia, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Michigan. The largest number of international attendees came from Canada, Mexico, Japan, Denmark, Australia, Columbia, China, United Kingdom, Belgium, Ecuador, France and Trinidad and Tobago. 

First-timers checking out the show made up 35 percent of the registrants.

“I thought the overall quality of the show and the courses offered were very good, while the exhibitors were very helpful and informative,” said Phillip M. Conroy, project manager at Kalkreuth Roofing and Sheet Metal. “This was my first year attending the show, and the trip was definitely worth my while.”

The showfloor also grew, with 1,045 booths, a 6-percent increase, compared with the 2013 show. Net square footage grew to 104,500 this year, compared to 98,700 last year.

“We were very happy to be a part of the 2014 IRE,” said Karyn Slifka, Marketing Coordinator at Novagard Solutions. “The number of attendees surpassed our expectations and we made some great contacts.” 

Of the 426 exhibiting companies, 84 companies were first-time exhibitors, including Certex USA, CUPA USA, Epilay, Kemper System America, National Gypsum Company and VELUX America, to name a few.

The 42 educational sessions offered at IRE also were a hit. A total of 5,807 sessions were sold during the three-day conference, a 45-percent increase, compared with the 2013 show.

The 2015 International Roofing Expo will be held Feb. 24-26, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

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