By Emma Peterson. 

IFD President Dirk Bollwerk shares what attendees can expect from the new Connection Forum and the next World Championships of Young Roofer.  

As a global organization, the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD) hosts events around the world. And their next two big events will take them on the road to Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary. To learn more about what will be happening in each of these cities, we spoke to Dirk Bollwerk, IFD’s president, on an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. 

IFD’s event in Vienna, the new Connection Forum, is first up on the calendar, planned for October 2026. Dirk explained what attendees can expect there, saying, “This event is really all about bringing members together to communicate, learn from each other and develop global best practices together.” The Coffee Shops™ crew will be in attendance of this meeting and cannot wait to build connections and relationships with other professionals around the world. We will be also interviewing people live, so make sure to tune into our YouTube channel to keep up with what’s happening in Vienna!  

As for Budapest, the city will be hosting the next World Championships of the Young Roofer in October 2027! Dirk shared a bit more about the Championships, saying, “This is one of our long-standing events and it sees teams come from all different countries, like the U.S., Germany, China and more! And it’s just really great to see the young folks who are so motivated show off their skills.”  

The Coffee Shops crew was in attendance at the last World Championships in 2024 (check out our coverage of the event) and our team still talks about the incredible talent and sportsmanship that was on display. As our president Heidi J. Ellsworth recalled, “When we first got there, all the teams were in their own corners and really focused on the competition. But by the end of the week, they were all watching each other, cheering each other on, switching uniforms and sharing phone numbers. It was just great to see so many talented young people really become a community.”  

And that idea – talented and skilled professionals coming together to build a community is the throughline between every single one of IFD’s events.  

To learn more, Listen to the whole episode, Watch the recording or visit IFD’s directory.  

By the National Roofing Contractor's Association.

The road to Budapest begins in Las Vegas, but the chance to represent Team USA starts today.

The search is on for the next generation of roofing talent to represent the United States at one of the industry's most prestigious international events. Through the National Roofing Contractors Association's (NRCA) IFD Qualifying Competition, skilled young roofing professionals have the opportunity to earn a spot on Team USA and compete at the 2027 World Championship for Young Roofers in Budapest, Hungary.  

For contractors, this is more than just a competition—it's a chance to showcase the talent within your company, invest in workforce development and gain national and international recognition. For roofing professionals, it's an opportunity to represent your company, your trade and your country on the world stage.  

Mark your calendar 

Companies interested in participating should act now, as several key deadlines are quickly approaching. 

Applications for the qualifying competition must be submitted by November 20, 2026. Selected applicants will be notified by December 11, 2026, allowing teams time to prepare for the qualifying event held during the International Roofing Expo in Las Vegas on February 16-17, 2027.  

The teams selected from the qualifying competition will spend the following months training and preparing before traveling to Budapest, Hungary, in November 2027 to compete against the best young roofing professionals from around the globe.  

Represent the best of American roofing 

NRCA is seeking teams in four competition disciplines: 

• Low-slope roofing 
• Metal roofing 
• Slate and tile roofing 
• Façade systems  

Each Team USA entry consists of two competitors and one coach or mentor. Competitors must be employed by an NRCA member company, be 28 years old or younger as of Dec. 31, 2027 and possess the skills and experience necessary to compete at a high level.  

The competition is designed to highlight the craftsmanship, technical expertise and professionalism that define the roofing industry. It's also an opportunity to demonstrate that American roofing talent can compete with the best in the world.  

A once-in-a-career opportunity 

Team USA first participated in the World Championship in 2024, and the experience left a lasting impact on competitors, coaches and industry leaders alike. Participants gained international exposure, expanded their understanding of the trade and returned with new ideas and a broader perspective on roofing excellence.  

Now, NRCA is looking to build on that momentum by identifying the industry's top young talent and assembling teams capable of competing for a world championship. , 

The time to apply is now 

Contractors across the country are encouraged to identify their most skilled young employees and submit an application before the Nov. 20 deadline. Whether your company's strengths are in low-slope roofing, metal, slate and tile or façade work, this is an opportunity to put those skills on display in front of the global roofing community.  

The road to Budapest begins in Las Vegas, but the chance to represent Team USA starts today. If you have talented team members ready to prove themselves among the world's best, now is the time to step forward, apply and showcase the future of American roofing.  

Application Deadline: Nov. 20, 2026. Don't miss your chance to represent Team USA and compete on the world's biggest roofing stage. 

By The Coffee Shops™. 

The partnership between The Coffee Shops and the IFD creates space for global education, events and collaboration. 

Earlier this year, RoofersCoffeeShop® was proud to announce a partnership with the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD). IFD serves as a unifying organization for the global roofing industry, bringing together national associations, manufacturers and service providers to address shared challenges and advance best practices. Its members include organizations such as the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), Zentralverband des Deutschen Dachdeckerhandwerks and the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC). 

Now, months since that announcement, the partnership remains strong and focused on fostering collaboration, education and innovation for roofing professionals around the world. This partnership has created a stronger connection between the North American roofing market and the international roofing community that has led to increased opportunities and resources for the industry on a whole.  

As part of the partnership agreement, RoofersCoffeeShop has been reporting on IFD initiatives and will have boots on the ground at global events like the Connection Forum in October 2026 in Vienna, Austria, and the Young Roofers WORLD Competition in October 2027 in Budapest, Hungary. In fact, for that Connection Forum, the Coffee Shops crew will not only be live streaming interviews and content, but they will also be presenting on industry trends, digital marketing and the growing importance of global connectivity within roofing. 

Gary Howes, one of IFD’s board members, put it best when he reflected on the partnership, sharing, “Partnering with RoofersCoffeeShop [was] an exciting step forward for IFD as we work to expand our global reach and impact... Together we are creating more opportunities for contractors, manufacturers and young professionals to connect, learn from one another and strengthen the future of the roofing industry on a truly international level.” 

By Heidi J. Ellsworth. 

Building on more than 70 years of Congress tradition, IFD’s Connection Forum creates new opportunities for roofing and façade professionals to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships and collaborate across borders. 

Since its founding in the early 1950s, the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD) has supported the exchange of knowledge and experience in roofing and façades while helping professionals build the trust needed for meaningful collaboration. One of the ways they have done this is by bringng the global roofing and façade community together through its Congress.

IFD's Congress create a space for technical knowledge, craftsmanship and relationship building across international borders and have helped establish IFD as a unifying voice for professionals, manufacturers and associations around the world while building a strong tradition of international exchange. In a recent Roofing Road Trips® conversation, IFD President Dirk Bollwerk reinforced that mission, noting that relationships are just as important as technical exchange because they create the environment where ideas can be openly shared and applied. That perspective helps explain why IFD is updating their event format to focus on connection while continuing to honour the strength of its Congress foundation.

Today, IFD is introducing the Connection Forum as an additional format that builds on the Congress tradition while creating a more interactive environment for attendees. This development builds on the collaboration and connection of the Congress while incorporating member feedback requesting more opportunities for exchange, interaction and practical discussion.

The Connection Forum is a setting where participants can move from listening into deeper engagement. Attendees will be able to discuss project experiences, explore regional challenges and share insights that contribute to technical understanding across borders. Instead of only receiving information, participants become part of the conversation, helping shape ideas in real time while strengthening the connections that have always been central to IFD. 

This approach also reflects the realities the roofing and façade sectors are facing today. Challenges such as sustainability, safety and workforce development are appearing across many regions, often with different solutions shaped by local conditions. One of IFD’s greatest strengths is its ability to connect these perspectives so professionals can learn from one another and adapt ideas in ways that work for their own businesses. The forum is intentionally designed to support that exchange by creating space for open dialogue while helping to bridge the gap between global insight and local application, turning shared knowledge into practical value for all attendees. 

What is happening now is continuity with a clear purpose. The Connection Forum builds on more than 70 years of successful Congress tradition and reflects the way IFD members and partners increasingly want to connect and collaborate today. As a new format for this year, it also creates an opportunity to identify and share best practices that can help shape the evolution of future congresses while keeping the organization’s mission rooted in practical international exchange. 

At the heart of that mission is IFD’s role as a neutral international platform where industry leaders, associations and professionals can meet on equal footing. By creating space for open dialogue, IFD helps participants exchange experience and knowledge in a way that moves beyond polite listening and into meaningful collaboration. Specialists gain access to current industry insight that can be applied both in the development of national standards and in everyday practical execution, making the forum a place where shared ideas can become useful tools back home. 

That collaborative spirit is also reflected in the organizations helping bring the new format to life. The IFD Connection Forum 2026 is hosted by Wienerberger and supported by IFD’s Supporting Partners VELUX, Murexin, Fakro and PREFA. Their commitment is an important part of making this new format possible and deserves recognition as the international roofing and façade community comes together to strengthen relationships and share knowledge. 

It is not a departure from the past, but an added opportunity to carry IFD’s mission forward in a format that feels more direct, practical and open to a wider community. The Connection Forum honours the foundation of the Congress while expanding how people connect, learn from one another and build relationships that support the roofing and façade industries across borders. 

By The Coffee Shops™. 

IFD’s World Championship of Young Roofers gives emerging roofing professionals a global platform to demonstrate skill, training and craftsmanship. 

Held roughly every two years in a different location, International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD)'s World Championship of Young Roofers is designed to test trade knowledge and hands-on kill across four disciplines: roofing, waterproofing, metal and industrial roofing and façade. The competition is built around a broader mission to promote the roofing trade, strengthen respect for professional work and highlight the value of vocational and in-company training. It also gives participating countries an opportunity to show the quality of their roofing education and the achievements of young professionals entering the industry. 

Entering the competition 

Each country may send one team per discipline. Teams are made up of two roofers who are younger than 28 during the competition year and have either won a national championship or, where no championship exists, were selected by a national professional organisation of the roofing trade based on skill. Participants may compete only once in each category.  

Once selected, competitors train under the guidance of an industry mentor. These mentors may return in multiple competition years and are encouraged to continue supporting future teams. 

How judging works 

At the championship, an eight-person jury elected by the IFD General Assembly evaluates each team’s performance. Jury members cannot come from the same country and cannot serve as mentors. Teams are judged on accuracy of execution, performance, cleanliness, use of materials, craftsmanship, implementation of the required task and serviceability. 

Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the top three teams in each discipline. The competition also includes a president’s prize, where participants can showcase their specialties in a free competition. Winners receive a commemorative gift from the host country and an IFD certificate of participation, while each world champion also receives an IFD challenge cup. 

The most recent championship was held in Innsbruck, Austria, in 2024. The next championship is planned for 2027 in Budapest, Hungary. Follow IFD to keep up on news about it!

By Emma Peterson. 

How IFD creates opportunities for international collaboration and knowledge sharing that strengthens the global roofing industry. 

Since their founding in 1952, the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD) has served as a unifying network between national roofing associations, industry partners and technical experts all working towards the same goal – strengthen the international roofing industry. Today, they are the world’s leading roofing organisation.  

In this role, the IFD supports the global roofing community with opportunity for collaboration, information on innovations and opportunities to advance the industry. Sabine Rothschuh, IFD’s secretary general, describes IFD’s role as providing:  

A unique platform where members can exchange knowledge, discuss common challenges and learn from international best practices. In my experience, the greatest value of membership is not only access to information, but access to people and ideas that help shape the future of our industry together. Events such as the IFD Connection Forum in Vienna create exactly these opportunities for meaningful international collaboration. 

Becoming a member of IFD brings you into this incredible global network and gives you access to international expertise, technical knowledge and best practices that help you strengthen your organisation. There are four types of membership offered through IFD, ensuring that, whether you are an engineer, a national association, a designer or any other type of roofing, you can get the most out of your membership. These memberships include:  

• Full members: This membership level is designed for “professional organisations of the roofing and facade trade which are constituted in their countries in accordance with the laws existing there in each case.” 
• Cooperation partners: National and regional professional organisations within the roofing and facade sector at this level pay a contribution that is individually determined between them and the IFD.  
• Partner members: These members are manufacturers and companies in the roofing and facade field, as well as national and international associations of manufacturers and industry. 
• Scientific members: The scientific membership was made for “universities, departments, institutions, chairs and research centres, as well as individuals who have a serious interest in scientific research in the disciplines related to roof structures and related technologies.”  

Join the IFD today!

By Heidi J. Ellsworth. 

As roofs take on a larger role in energy generation and rainwater management while supporting climate adaptation, partnerships between manufacturers, associations and contractors become increasingly important.

As roofing professionals around the globe respond to higher expectations for building performance, international collaboration is becoming essential to a more resilient future for the trade. For Wienerberger, one of the industry’s leading building envelope manufacturers, that commitment comes through its work with the International Federation for the Roofing Trade (IFD). 

Wienerberger provides sustainable building solutions across the entire building envelope, supporting new construction and renovation while bringing roof, wall, facade, paving, water and energy infrastructure solutions into a broader approach to the built environment. With operations in 28 countries and more than 200 production sites, the company is recognized as the world’s largest brick producer and a market leader in clay roof tiles in Europe. 

That roofing focus makes the company’s relationship with IFD especially meaningful. IFD brings together trade organizations, manufacturers and industry partners who serve the roofing profession while creating lasting connectionsthat support the shared professional, technical and business interests of the roofing trade internationally. 

As an IFD partner member, Wienerberger participates in a broader international roofing community where education and professional exchange help shape the continued evolution of the trade. Through this network, manufacturers and roofing professionals have more opportunities to share knowledge while understanding emerging needs and supporting stronger outcomes across the industry. 

For contractors, that connection matters because roofing is no longer only about the product installed on the roof. It is about delivering systems that perform while meeting higher expectations for sustainability and supporting buildings designed to last. IFD reinforces work through industry education and technical resources that encourage professional exchange while helping strengthen the trade. 

Wienerberger’s work across the building envelope aligns with many of these priorities as the company continues to emphasize climate-resilient solutions and more functional roof systems. As roofs take on a larger role in energy generation and rainwater management while supporting climate adaptation, partnerships between manufacturers, associations and contractors become increasingly important. 

By engaging in the IFD partner network, Wienerberger is helping advance a larger conversation about the future of roofing. The partnership brings product innovation together with trade expertise while supporting better buildingsand a more resilient, sustainable roofing industry around the world. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Dirk Bollwerk talks about connecting roofers around the world and advancing the global industry. 

In a new episode of Roofing Road Trips®, host Heidi J. Ellsworth is joined by Dirk Bollwerk to learn about the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD) and the vital work it does for the global roofing industry and trade. Dirk is both the president of IFD and the German Roofing Association. He spoke a bit about what he does in these roles, sharing, “A lot of our work is political, to act as a representative for roofers in spaces like government. We also take care about education and technical guidelines.” 

The main difference between Dirk’s work with the two associations is scale. Where the German Roofing Association acts as an umbrella for 16 different, smaller German organizations, the IFD is an umbrella for the global roofing community. Dirk shared some history of the IFD’s origins:  

The IFD was founded in the early 1950s. The founding members were Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Luxembourg. Today, we have three different types of members. The first is full members. Full member you can become when you are a roofing association. For example, the National Roofing Contractors Association of the United States. The second is manufacturers, for whom IFD makes guidelines for. And the last is science or supporting members.  

At its core, IFD’s mission is all about building and nurturing connections, both on the job and off. Dirk explained, “We want to build a global community of roofers. Why? First, we want to bond roofers all over the world through friendship. Second, we want best practices and techniques to be shared.” By building these bonds and creating this shared knowledge of best techniques, IFD is not only helping their members succeed but also uplifting the international roofing industry.  

Listen to the podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about Dirk and the International Federation of the Roofing Trade.  

By The Coffee Shops. 

The 2025 IFD Congress was a celebration of roofing craftsmanship, industry partnerships and the future of the trade. 

Roofing professionals from across the globe gathered in Bratislava, Slovakia from October 22–25, 2025, for the 73rd Annual Congress of the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD). Hosted at the Sheraton Bratislava Hotel, the annual event served as a meeting point for industry leaders to discuss the evolving challenges facing the roofing sector while exploring opportunities for innovation, education and international collaboration. This meeting also saw the election of a new IFD president, Dirk Bollwerk. Dirk is the president of ZVDH, the president of the German Roofing Association and will be serving the IFD as their president for the next three years.  

The week began with a welcome reception on Wednesday evening, setting the tone for several days of professional exchange and relationship building among delegates representing countries from around the world. From there, the congress shifted into a series of expert presentations and forward-looking discussions focused on the future of the global roofing industry. The event concluded with a Thursday evening traditional dinner hosted by the Slovak Roofing Association and a Friday night gala dinner at the historic Reduta Concert Hall. 

One of the most anticipated moments of the week was the IFD Awards 2025, which recognized exceptional roofing and façade projects from around the world. Nearly 100 projects were submitted across four categories — façade, flat roof, metal roof and pitched roof — underscoring the depth of craftsmanship and technical expertise represented throughout the industry. 

“This year’s submissions once again demonstrated the diversity and creativity of our trade – and how closely innovation and tradition go hand in hand,” said Sabine Rothschuh, general secretary of the IFD. 

Among the winners, the pitched roof category stood out in particular, with the jury awarding three equal first-place honours in recognition of the exceptional quality of the submissions. The winners included:  

Façade 

1. Battle of Don Memorial Site (Appreggio Bt, Ervin Király and BH Metall Kft., Hungary) 
2. National Széchenyi Library Archival Centre (Pilisi Pléh-Boy Kft., Hungary) 
3. Kovács Katalin National Kayak-Canoe Academy (Horex Kft, Bauer Bádogos és Szigetelő Kft., Hungary) 

Flat roof 

1. SFH K. (Spitzer Gesellschaft m.b.H., Austria) 
2. Whinfell Forest Centre Parcs, Subtropical Swimming Paradise (Central Group, United Kingdom) 
3. Seaplane Harbour, Estonian Maritime Museum (Aruna-Ehitus OÜ, Estonia) 

Metal roof 

1. Logan County Courthouse (The Durable Slate Company, USA) 
2. Reconstruction of the former Red Cross Headquarters (Pilisi Pléh-Boy Kft., Hungary) 
3. Reduta, Bratislava (SiQiS-S, s.r.o., Slovakia) 

Pitched roof (where three equal first prizes were awarded) 

1. Christ’s College Cambridge (Claude N Smith Ltd, United Kingdom) 
2. Restoration of Saint Helena Cathedral (The Durable Restoration Company, USA) 
3. Detached House Dentling (Schmid Dachbau GmbH, Germany) 

By Emma Peterson. 

Exploring how IFD supports professionals worldwide with their different membership opportunities. 

The International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD) was designed to unite professionals from across the roofing industry to work together to “safeguard and support the common economic, business, technical, social, cultural and other professional interests of the members at an international level.” They do this by organising a variety of workshops, congresses, trainings and other events for their members.  

Interested in getting involved in IFD and growing your professional career through their programming? IFD has a variety of forms of membership that meet professionals and organisations where they are. These include:  

• Full members: This membership level is designed for "professional organisations of the roofing trade which are constituted in their countries in accordance with the laws existing there in each case.” In other words, it is meant for organisation like China’s National Building Waterproof Association and the United Kingdom’s National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC). 
• Guest members: This membership tier gives national professional organisation of the roofing trades membership in the IFD at a reduced fee for two years. By their third year, they will be asked whether they want to continue their membership as a full member or not.  
• Cooperation partners: National and region professional organisations at this level are neither full members nor guests. They pay a contribution that is individually determined between IFD and them. An example of a cooperation partner is the United States’ National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA).  
• Partner members: These members are manufacturers and companies in the roofing field as well as national and international associations of manufacturers and industry. Essentially, if you offer products and/or services for roofing companies, this is the membership type for you. 
• Scientific members: The scientific membership was made for “universities, departments, institutions, chairs and research centres, as well as individuals who have a serious interest in scientific research in the disciplines related to roof structures and related technologies.” 

Learn more about IFD and their different membership opportunities.