Por Emma Peterson, traducido por Alberto Torres. 

El evento de este año se acerca rápidamente, con el primer día programado para el 27 de septiembre de 2026, y queremos ayudarte a crear la agenda ideal para aprovechar al máximo tu experiencia. 

El Western Roofing Expo (WRE), patrocinado por la Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA), es uno de los eventos más importantes de la industria del techado y la impermeabilización. No solo está lleno de actividades reconocidas, como la competencia de instalación de tejas Roofing Games™ y la subasta en vivo, sino que también cuenta con 28 sesiones educativas, dos almuerzos con conferencias y mucho más. 

Es una gran cantidad de actividades para solo tres días (el evento de 2026 se llevará a cabo del 27 al 29 de septiembre), por eso queremos compartir algunas de las sesiones y actividades que no te puedes perder. 

Domingo, 27 de septiembre de 2026 

El primer día del evento estará enfocado principalmente en establecer conexiones con expertos y colegas de la industria. Hay varias actividades opcionales, como el Bob Porter Golf Tournament y el Sporting Clays Tournament, pero el evento principal del día será la bienvenida y subasta de WRE. Patrocinado por GAF,  este evento no solo marca el inicio de WRE 2026, sino que también recauda fondos para la Davis Memorial Foundation, la organización benéfica de WSRCA.

Lunes, 28 de septiembre de 2026 

El lunes comienza la acción con una agenda llena de más de una docena de sesiones educativas. Estas son algunas de las sesiones que recomendamos: 

• Tendencias importantes en la industria del techado: Heidi J. Ellsworth, de RoofersCoffeeShop®, presentará las tendencias que están marcando la industria. Esta sesión ofrecerá a los asistentes información valiosa sobre dónde ha estado la industria del techado y hacia dónde se dirige.  
• ¿Listo o no?: Nuestros amigos Trent Cotney y Benjamin Briggs, de Adams and Reese, hablarán sobre las redadas de ICE, las auditorías I-9 y cómo los contratistas de techado pueden gestionar su exposición ante el panorama migratorio actual.  
• De contratar rápido a contratar bien: En esta sesión en español, Amparo Sancen, de Latinos En Roofing, explorará cómo formar un equipo de techado que contribuya al éxito de tu negocio.  
• Uso de la IA en la estimación de proyectos de techado: John Kenney, de Cotney Consulting Group, compartirá información sobre el uso de la inteligencia artificial (IA) en las operaciones de techado, específicamente en los procesos de estimación.  

Además de estas oportunidades educativas, el lunes habrá dos opciones de almuerzos educativos, tres demostraciones y el esperado evento Roofer’s Feud. Aquí te contamos un poco más: 

• Almuerzos: El lunes habrá dos oportunidades para aprender durante el almuerzo. Una será para profesionales de habla hispana y contará con Victor Maya (Advantage Roofing, GAF), quien hablará sobre cómo maximizar las reclamaciones de seguros para techos comerciales. La otra contará con Craig Brightup (corresponsal político de WSRCA) y Chad Collins (presidente de la junta directiva de la National Roofing Contractors Association), quienes ofrecerán una actualización sobre temas políticos.
• Demostraciones: Habrá tres demostraciones el lunes. La primera comenzará a la 1:30 p.m. y estará a cargo de Polyglass U.S.A. La segunda, que comienza a las 2:30 p.m., será presentada por TAMKO Building Products, y la última demostración del día será a las 3:30 p.m. con Johns Manville.  
• Roofer’s Feud: Para cerrar las actividades del lunes llega Roofer’s Feud. Patrocinado por CertainTeed, será una excelente oportunidad para poner a prueba tus conocimientos y disfrutar de una competencia amistosa.  

Martes, 29 de septiembre de 2026 

¡Pero todavía hay más! Comienza el martes con un desayuno y conversaciones en mesas con el equipo de National Women in Roofing a las 7 a.m. (ten en cuenta que esta actividad requiere un registro adicional de $55). Después del desayuno, será momento de regresar directamente a las sesiones educativas. Algunas de las que recomendamos para el martes incluyen: 

• Mesa redonda sobre techado: Organizada por el Comité de Jóvenes Profesionales del Techado de WSRCA y dirigida por Rachel Garcia, de Malarkey Roofing Products, esta sesión se enfocará en cómo formar equipos multigeneracionales. 
• Estado de la industria: Trent Cotney regresa para otra sesión, esta vez para analizar desde una perspectiva legal lo que está sucediendo en la industria.  
• Salud mental y adicción en el lugar de trabajo de la industria del techado: Paul Reed, de Roofers in Recovery, dirigirá esta sesión sobre cómo los contratistas pueden apoyar mejor la salud mental de sus cuadrillas.  
• El costo de la desconexión: En esta sesión en español, Monica Vornbrock, de The GLO Group, analizará cómo las fallas en la comunicación después de una venta pueden afectar la confianza de los clientes y los ingresos de los contratistas.  
• Diseño de techos duraderos para climas fríos: En esta sesión, Mindy Dahlquist, de TRA Snow and Sun, analizará el papel de los sistemas de retención de nieve en el diseño de techos para climas fríos.  
• De un servicio reactivo a uno proactivo: En la última sesión de nuestra lista, Tracey Donels, de Service First Solutions, hablará sobre cómo crear un crecimiento empresarial más predecible a través de los servicios que ofrece una compañía.  

Al igual que el lunes, el martes habrá dos opciones para aprender durante el almuerzo y varias actividades que no te puedes perder: 

• Almuerzos: Imelda Perez, de CertainTeed, estará a cargo del almuerzo en español del martes. La otra opción será en inglés y contará con la oradora motivacional Shereen Thor.  
• Escenario: Después del almuerzo, el equipo de RoofersCoffeeShop® tomará el escenario de demostraciones para una interesante conversación con el presidente de WSRCA, Stan Robinson, y el próximo presidente de WSRCA, Ron Lloyd.  
• Roofing Games™: ¡Y para cerrar el día llega la esperada competencia de instalación de tejas! Patrocinada por Malarkey Roofing Products, esta es una excelente oportunidad para reunir a la comunidad y quizás hasta ganar algunos premios.  

Estas listas son solo una pequeña muestra de todo lo que encontrarás en el Western Roofing Expo de este año. 

¡Consulta la agenda completa y regístrate para asistir a WRE 2026! 

By Emma Peterson.

This year’s show is coming up fast with the first day being September 27, 2026 and we wanted to help you build the ultimate attendee schedule.

The Western Roofing Expo (WRE), which is sponsored by Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA), is one of the premier events in the roofing and waterproofing industry. Not only is it chock full of iconic moments, like the Roofing Games™ shingling competition and the live auction, but it also boasts 28 educational sessions, two keynote luncheons and more!

That’s a lot of programming for just three days (the 2026 show will be held from 9/27/26 to 9/29/26), which is why we wanted to break down some of our must-attend sessions and events!

Sunday, September 27, 2026

The first day of the show will mostly be networking with industry experts and peers. There are a few events you can opt to attend, such as the Bob Porter Golf Tournament and Sporting Clays Tournament, but the main event of the day is the WRE Welcome event and auction. Sponsored by GAF, this event not only marks the beginning of the 2026 show, but also raises funds for the Davis Memorial Foundation, WSRCA’s charitable organization.

Monday, September 28, 2026

Monday is when things get really busy with a stacked schedule of more than a dozen education sessions. Here’s our shortlist of must-attend sessions from this day:

• Roofing Trends That Matter: RoofersCoffeeShop®’s own Heidi J. Ellsworth will be presenting about roofing trends! This presentation will give attendees valuable insight into where the roofing industry has been and where it’s moving towards.
• Ready or Not: our friends Trent Cotney and Benjamin Briggs of Adams and Reese will be diving into ICE raids, 1-9 audits and managing roofing contractor exposure in our current immigration landscape.
• From Hiring Fast to Hiring Right: in a Spanish-language session, Amparo Sancen of Latinos En Roofing explores how to build a roofing team that will help your business win.
• Using AI in Roofing Estimating: John Kenney of Cotney Consulting Group shares insight into the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in roofing operations, specifically related to estimating.

In addition to those education opportunities, Monday boasts two luncheon options, three demonstrations and the much-anticipated Roofer’s Feud event. Here’s a bit about those options:

• Luncheons: there are two lunch learning opportunities on Monday. One is for Spanish-speaking professionals and features Victor Maya (Advantage Roofing, GAF) discussing how to maximize commercial roofing claims. The other features Craig Brightup (WSRCA political correspondent) and Chad Collins (chairman of the National Roofing Contractors Association board) as they give a political update.
• Demonstrations: as we mentioned, there are three demos on Monday. The first kicks off at 1:30 p.m. is hosted by Polyglass U.S.A. The second (which starts at 2:30 p.m.) is from TAMKO Building Products and the last demo of the day is at 3:30 p.m. and features Johns Manville.
• The Roofer’s Feud: closing out the Monday schedule is the Roofer’s Feud. Sponsored by CertainTeed, this is a great chance to test your trivia knowledge and enjoy some friendly competition.

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

But wait, there’s more! Hit the ground running on Tuesday with breakfast and table talks with the National Women in Roofing team at 7 a.m. (please note, additional registration of $55 required for this event). After breakfast, it’s time to jump straight back into education sessions! Some of our must-attends for Tuesday include:

• The Roofing Roundtable: hosted by the WSRCA Young Roofing Professionals Committee and led by Rachel Garcia of Malarkey Roofing Products, this session is all about building multi-generational teams.
• State of the Industry: Trent Cotney is back for another session, this time exploring the legal perspective of what’s going on the industry.
• Mental Health and Addiction in the Roofing Workplace: Paul Reed of Roofers in Recovery takes the helm during this session about how contractors can better support the mental health of their crews.
• The Cost of Disconnection: for this Spanish-language session, Monica Vornbrock of the GLO Group dives into how post-sale breakdowns are costing contractors customer trust and revenue.
• Designing Durable Cold-Climate Roofs: in this session, Mindy Dahlquist of TRA Snow and Sun explores the role of snow retention in designing roofs in cold climates.
• Escaping Reactive Service: the last session on our shortlist is Tracey Donels (Service First Solutions) talk about creating predictable business growth through service offerings.

And just like on Monday, there are two options for lunchtime learning and some can’t miss events:

• Luncheons: Imelda Perez of CertainTeed will be hosting Tuesday’s Spanish-language luncheon. The other lunch option will be in English and features motivational speaker Shereen Thor.
• Sound stage: The RoofersCoffeeShop® crew will be taking over the demonstration stage after lunch for an insightful conversation with WSRCA President Stan Robinson and incoming WSRCA President Ron Lloyd.
• The Roofing Games™: and closing out the day is the much-anticipated shingling competition! Sponsored by Malarkey Roofing Products, this is a great opportunity to bring the community together and maybe even win some fun prizes!

These lists are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to everything going on at this year’s Western Roofing Expo!

See the whole schedule and register to attend the 2026 show!

By Jesse Sanchez.

Contractors can reduce liability, strengthen customer relationships and protect profitability by addressing the growing complexity of today’s rooftops. 

During this Coffee Conversations® sponsored by Anchor Products, Heidi J. Ellsworth joined Anchor Products founder Joel Stanley, attorney Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese and roofing technical expert Mark Graham to examine how contractors can better manage rooftop risks. Joel explained that managing rooftop risk requires contractors to look beyond the roofing system itself and consider how equipment, penetrations and other rooftop conditions can affect the overall performance of the building. As rooftops become more complex and more trades interact with them, clearly understanding those conditions can help contractors identify potential issues before they become larger problems. That broader responsibility is especially important from the building owner’s perspective. As Joel put it, “We can't keep pointing the finger at other people because, quite frankly, the building owner doesn't care. He wants water off the floor.” 

That makes planning and clearly defining project scope increasingly important. Trent stressed that contractors should understand their responsibilities before submitting a bid or signing a proposal, particularly as rooftop systems and code requirements become more complex. Pointing to a common weakness in project documentation, he explained, “Contractors do a great job at explaining what they are going to do. They do a horrible job at explaining what they are not going to do.” 

Documentation can provide another layer of protection, especially when equipment, penetrations or other rooftop components are added after a roofing contractor completes a project. Mark encouraged contractors to create a clear record of completed conditions, recommending, “We should be taking post installation photos.” Those records can help establish what was present when the contractor left the project and provide valuable context if questions or claims arise later. 

The panel also emphasized routine inspections, service and maintenance as opportunities to identify unsecured equipment, damaged supports and other developing hazards. By communicating those conditions to building owners, contractors can reduce risk, strengthen trust and uncover additional opportunities to provide valuable rooftop services. 

Safety remains central to that effort, particularly as more trades and building occupants access rooftops. Understanding responsibilities, documenting conditions and addressing hazards proactively can help contractors protect people, projects and profitability. 

Listen to the podcast or Watch the Webinar to learn more about how proactive planning and rooftop risk management can help contractors protect their work and strengthen long-term customer relationships!

By Emma Peterson. 

The latest Cotney Brief helps contractors stay ahead of evolving legal and business challenges with insights on tariffs, claims management, documentation practices and project risk mitigation. 

Every day there are legal decisions being made that change the way the world operates. But it can be a lot to keep up with on top of day-to-day business. That’s why Trent Cotney, a partner and roofing litigation/arbitration expert at the Adams and Reese law firm puts together a monthly newsletter, Cotney Briefs, that identify and help contractors understand the most relevant decisions and changes affecting the roofing industry. Here’s what he highlighted this August. 

1 – Tariff increases 

Federal tariffs have increased and with that construction costs are rising. Specifically, this month saw a new 50% tariff on specialized Canadian imports that include construction cement, paint, plywood and fiber cable. These tariffs, in addition to the previous ones, will continue to put pressure on construction markets. Trent specifically highlighted “structural steel, metal roofing, HVAC equipment, electrical components, fasteners and construction machinery” as areas of impact. 

What this means for contractors: Contractors should document any supplier increase and identify any tariff exposures without bidding as to be able to build appropriate protections into their contracts. Without these protections (which include price-escalations, change-in-law, force majeure and notice provisions), contractors are likely to bear any increased costs. 

2 – Contract Waives Claim case 

In the case, Arnell Construction Corp. v. New York City School Construction Authority, the primary issue was “change-order work performed on a renovation project for the New York City School Construction Authority.” In the case, Arnell was seeking $2.44 million in compensation while SCA moved to dismiss the action because of a “not timely satisfied the applicable notice-of-claim requirement.” It is this dismissal that the court held in favor of. 

What this means for contractors: The court’s reasoning was New York Public Authorities Law § 1744(2), which states that a notice of claim should have been presented within three months of the claim accruing. For other contractors, this is a good reminder of the importance of identifying when damages become ascertainable as to provide the verified notice immediately rather than relying solely on contractual change order procedures. 

3 – Presumption provision 

Daily reports are a crucial piece of evidence in the case of project disputes. However, it is not uncommon for the opposing party to claim the presented reports were “inaccurate, incomplete or self-serving.” Contractors can avoid this issue by including a daily report presumption provision that “encourages the parties to review project records while the events remain fresh. If the receiving party does not object within a stated period, the report becomes presumptively accurate.” 

What this means for contractors: This does not make daily reports fully conclusive, but it shifts the burden away from the contractor and to the party challenging the report. Trent shared an example of what this provision might look like:  

Daily Reports and Project Records. Contractor may prepare and distribute daily reports documenting labor, manpower, equipment, materials, deliveries, weather, site conditions, inspections, work performed, delays, disruptions, directives and other material project events. Each daily report shall be deemed presumptively accurate unless Owner provides Contractor with a specific written objection identifying the disputed information within five business days after receipt. A general objection or reservation of rights shall not be sufficient. Failure to timely object shall not make the report conclusive, but the report shall constitute prima facie evidence of the matters stated therein. The parties may rely on daily reports, photographs, time records, delivery tickets, equipment logs and similar contemporaneous records in evaluating claims for additional time or compensation. 

4 – Community opposition as a construction risk 

You’ve probably seen headlines about communities protesting projects related to data centers, manufacturing plants, multifamily developments and major infrastructure projects due to traffic, environmental and cultural concerns. In response, many projects have hit roadblocks in areas like zoning approvals, permitting, utility access and project financing. These delays pose unique challenges to contractors even if the ultimate project continues. Trent explained: 

A delayed zoning or environmental approval may postpone mobilization while labor, equipment and material commitments remain in place. New permit conditions may require redesign, additional scopes of work or different construction sequencing. Limits on construction hours may reduce productivity, while expanded traffic-control obligations may require additional personnel and equipment. A utility may also condition service on expensive system upgrades or delay energization until infrastructure improvements are completed. 

What this means for contractors: Contractors should be aware of community opposition as a construction risk and determine what party bears the risk of opposition and delas before signing anything. Specifically, they should avoid agreeing to comply with broad statements, like “community requirements.” Further, contractors likely would benefit from adjusting contract language to provide additional time and compensation when community opposition and delays occur. 

Read the entire August 2026 brief!

By Emma Peterson. 

How participating in associations like the Roofing Alliance gives professionals a chance to build a legacy. 

From providing broader industry advocacy on a national level to providing individual contractors with the resources they need to succeed, trade associations are invaluable resources. A prime example of one of these invaluable organizations is the Roofing Alliance. To learn more about what this foundation does for the industry, Trent Cotney, a partner and the construction team lead at Adams and Reese law firm, came by for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®.  

Trent is the perfect person to talk to about this, as he is both Roofing Alliance’s legal counsel and their parent association, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)’s general counsel. He opened by sharing some background on Roofing Alliance:  

The Roofing Alliance is NRCA's foundation, but operates as its own entity. It has existed for almost 30 years, and over the years, it has been instrumental in charitable efforts like providing free roofs and repairs to Ronald McDonald houses nationwide. They also work to support the roofing industry, specifically with education and research. 

Their educational support often comes in the form of scholarships and their research is usually focused on critical economic and technical challenges facing the roofing market. And they have made a huge impact in both areas, reporting that their “members have invested [and raised] over $16 million to fund transformative research, educational initiatives and scholarships, all dedicated to enhancing industry performance and long-term success.” 

At the end of the day, the work that the Roofing Alliance has done not only supports professionals in the industry today but also our future tradespeople. “The Alliances is so valuable. Not only is it a great opportunity to meet your peers in the industry, but it’s a great way to give back to the industry,” he shared. “Personal career and financial success are great, but when I think about when I'm dead and gone, I want to have left a positive mark on the world. I want to have done what I can to give back and to help. And groups like Roofing Alliance are the way I feel like I am doing that.” 

Listen to the whole podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about the Roofing Alliance and its invaluable work in the roofing industry. 

Por Alex Tolle, The Coffee Shops®, traducido por Alberto Torres 

Explora oportunidades educativas enfocadas en temas que van desde el rendimiento de los techos y la evolución de los códigos hasta el diseño de la envolvente del edificio y la administración de negocios durante el evento de este año. 

La educación continua brinda a los profesionales del techado la oportunidad de alejarse por un momento de las exigencias del día a día y conocer más a fondo los sistemas, materiales, requisitos y factores económicos que influyen en su trabajo. En el Western Roofing Expo 2026, organizado por la Western States Roofing Contractors Association, los asistentes podrán explorar una amplia variedad de seminarios diseñados para fortalecer sus conocimientos sobre techado, relacionar las decisiones técnicas con edificios de mejor rendimiento y ayudarlos a tomar mejores decisiones de negocio. 

El programa comienza con la evolución de los principales sistemas de techado. Ken Klein analizará cuatro décadas de sistemas de membrana de una sola capa (single-ply), incluyendo los cambios en materiales, métodos de fijación y detalles de instalación que han surgido a partir de la experiencia en el lugar de trabajo. Trent Cotney y John Kenney ofrecerán una perspectiva más amplia de la industria al analizar cómo los materiales para techos, la mano de obra especializada, los códigos y la tecnología han evolucionado con el paso del tiempo.

La resistencia al fuego es otro tema importante. Marco Sieber y Maury Alpert hablarán sobre cubiertas y capas base para techos que pueden ayudar a reducir los efectos de las llamas y las brasas en las zonas donde las áreas naturales se encuentran con las comunidades. Continuando con este tema, Jess Grandy analizará las nuevas regulaciones de ventilación y las opciones de ventilación resistentes al fuego diseñadas para ayudar a los propietarios de viviendas a preparar sus propiedades y cumplir con los códigos correspondientes. 

Los asistentes también podrán ampliar sus conocimientos sobre la humedad y el rendimiento de los techos ante diferentes condiciones climáticas. Phil Dregger compartirá los resultados de un estudio de tres años sobre la acumulación de agua y el deterioro de la madera debajo de sistemas de techado reflectantes. Mindy Dahlquist analizará cómo la retención de nieve, la ventilación, la geometría del techo y la selección de materiales afectan el rendimiento de los techos en climas fríos y mixtos del oeste de Estados Unidos. 

Varias sesiones se enfocarán en las responsabilidades de diseño y los cambios en los requisitos de construcción. Brian Chamberlain explicará las diferencias entre las expectativas de diseño y la cobertura incluida en las garantías publicadas por los fabricantes. Matt Braun analizará los nuevos requisitos para las barreras de aire en proyectos de reemplazo de techos y explicará cómo interactúan las capas de control de aire, humedad y temperatura. Brian también dirigirá una sesión sobre las conexiones entre el techo y los muros, abordando las filtraciones de aire, la resistencia al viento, la compatibilidad de los productos y la coordinación entre los diferentes oficios en uno de los puntos más importantes de la envolvente del edificio. 

Además de las sesiones enfocadas en temas técnicos, habrá otras dedicadas a la administración de negocios. Una de ellas será impartida por nuestra presidenta y directora ejecutiva, Heidi J. Ellsworth! En la sesión Roofing Trends That Matter, Heidi compartirá información del RoofersCoffeeShop 2025 Trends Report, que recopiló datos de encuestas realizadas a más de 200 profesionales del techado, incluyendo contratistas residenciales, comerciales y mixtos de empresas de diferentes tamaños. 

Durante esta presentación, los asistentes conocerán cómo los contratistas se están adaptando mediante la tecnología, el marketing digital y cambios en sus operaciones. También recibirán consejos prácticos sobre cómo utilizar el marketing, la tecnología y la participación en la comunidad para generar confianza, aumentar la visibilidad y fortalecer la estabilidad del negocio a largo plazo. 

En conjunto, estos seminarios ofrecen educación práctica para los profesionales que buscan mejorar la instalación, el diseño, el cumplimiento de códigos y normas, y el rendimiento de los techos a largo plazo. Algunas sesiones también ofrecen oportunidades de educación continua a través del American Institute of Architects (AIA) y el International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants.

Obtén más información sobre las oportunidades educativas disponibles en el Western Roofing Expo 2026.

Conoce más sobre Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) en su Coffee Shop Directory o visita www.wsrca.com. 

By Alex Tolle, The Coffee Shops®.

Explore education focused on everything from roof performance and evolving codes to building-envelope design and business management at this year's show.

Continuing education gives roofing professionals an opportunity to step away from daily demands and take a closer look at the systems, materials, requirements and economic forces shaping their work. At the Western Roofing Expo 2026, hosted by Western States Roofing Contractors Association, attendees can explore a broad seminar lineup designed to strengthen roofing knowledge, connect technical decisions to better-performing buildings and help them make better business deciscions. 

The program starts with the evolution of core roofing systems. Ken Klein will examine four decades of single-ply roofing, including changes in materials, attachment methods and detailing driven by jobsite experience. Trent Cotney and John Kenney will offer a wider industry perspective by tracing how roofing materials, craftsmanship, codes and technology have developed over time.

Fire resilience is another important focus. Marco Sieber and Maury Alpert will discuss roof coverings and underlayments that can help mitigate the effects of flame and embers in the wildland-urban interface. Building on that conversation, Jess Grandy will review developing ventilation regulations and fire-resistant vent options intended to help homeowners prepare their properties and meet applicable codes. 

Attendees can also deepen their understanding of moisture and climate-related performance. Phil Dregger will share findings from a three-year study involving water accumulation and wood decay below reflective roofing. Mindy Dahlquist will explore how snow retention, ventilation, roof geometry and material selection affect roof performance in cold and mixed climates across the western United States. 

Several sessions turn attention to design responsibilities and changing building requirements. Brian Chamberlain will clarify the differences between design expectations and manufacturers’ published warranty coverage. Matt Braun will examine emerging air-barrier requirements for reroofing and explain how air, moisture and thermal-control layers interact. Brian will also lead a session on roof-to-wall connections, addressing air leakage, wind resistance, product compatibility and trade coordination at one of the building envelope’s most important junctions.

In addition to the technically focused sessions, there are sessions that focus on business management. One such session will be taught by our President and CEO, Heidi J. Ellsworth! In the session, Roofing Trends That Matter, Heidi will share about the RoofersCoffeeShop 2025 Trends Report, which collected contractor survey data from more than 200 roofing professionals representing residential, commercial and mixed contractors of all sizes. Attendees of this presentation will "gain insight into how contractors are adapting through technology, digital marketing and operational changes" and get practical tips for using "marketing, technology and community involvement to build trust, increase visibility and strengthen long-term business stability."

Together, these seminars offer practical education for professionals working to improve installation, design, compliance and long-term roof performance. Select sessions also provide continuing education opportunities through the American Institute of Architects and the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants.

Learn more about the education available at the Western Roofing Expo 2026.

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn about new noncompete limits, immigration policies, warranty provisions and more with this month’s Cotney Brief!  

Trent Cotney is well-known in the roofing industry for his expertise in roofing litigation and arbitration. He is a partner at leading legal firm Adams and Reese and has defended roofers on construction defect claims, prosecuting lien and bond law claims, defending OSHA citations, contractor licensing defense and bid protests since 1999. In his monthly newsletter, the Cotney Briefs, Trent uses his extensive knowledge to identify and explain some of the most timely legal and regulatory changes happening in the roofing industry. Here’s what he covered in his July 2026 newsletter. 

1 – New noncompete limits in Tennessee 

As of July 1, 2026, Tennessee has a new statute that limits the use of noncompete agreements. Specifically, it includes a new compensation threshold that means employers cannot “require or enforce a noncompete against an employee whose annualized compensation is less than $70,000.” 

What this means for contractors: This does not prohibit all restrictive covenants (such as confidentiality agreements, nondisclosure agreements and trade secret protections) in the state of Tennessee. Contractors in the state should review all of their Tennessee employment agreements to ensure they are in compliance with this new limit.  

2 – Supreme Court rulings on immigration policies 

The Supreme Court of the United States recently saw a few key immigration cases:  

• Mullin v. Doe: The Court held that “challengers to DHS’s termination of TPS for Haiti and Syria were not entitled to court orders postponing those terminations while litigation continued.”  
• Mullin v. Al Otro Lado: The Court held that “that a person who is still in Mexico has not ‘arrived in the United States’ under the relevant statutory provisions.” 
• Trump v. Barbara: The Court held that “children born in the United States to parents who are unlawfully or temporarily present are ‘subject to the jurisdiction’ of the United States and are citizens at birth under the Fourteenth Amendment.” 

What this means for contractors: Overall, these outcomes have a few effects. First, they gave DHS the ability to move forward with ending TPS protection and a stronger position for future TPS disputes. Second, the ruling on Mullin v. Al Otro Lado gave the executive branch great authority over asylum processing at ports of entry. And finally, the Court preserved the birthright citizenship of children born in the United States no matter parental status. 

3 – Manufacturer instructions in relation to warranty priority clauses 

Manufacturer instructions are key to construction contracts but are too often forgotten. And when they are left out, disputes can arise in relation to installation and warranty coverage. Trent gave an example, “The contractor may be blamed for performance problems, while the manufacturer may later deny warranty coverage due to improper installation.” 

What this means for contractors: In order to mitigate this risk, it is important to make manufacturer requirements a contractual priority with a provision clause. Trent shared an example of what this provision may look like: 

Contractor shall perform the Work in accordance with the Contract Documents, applicable codes, approved submittals and the published installation instructions, specifications, technical bulletins, and warranty requirements of the applicable manufacturer.  

If Contractor identifies a conflict between the Contract Documents, field conditions, owner direction, design professional direction, consultant direction, shop drawings, specifications, approved submittals, or any other project requirement and the manufacturer’s published installation instructions, technical requirements, or warranty conditions, Contractor shall provide written notice of the conflict before proceeding with the affected Work, unless immediate action is necessary to protect persons or property.* 

*Read the whole provision.

4 – New York structural incident 

There was a recent incident in Manhattan, New York involving two structural columns buckling around the 21st and 22nd floors during a renovation. This incident has sparked an investigation into what caused the buckling and into the project oversite. In this situation, all parties are being looked at, including owner, general contractor, trade contractors and designers. Reuters reported that work has been halted as city officials plan and conduct their safety inspection. 

What this means for contractors: This incident highlights “the unique risk of large-scale office-to-residential conversions.” It is a good reminder to maintain clear responsibility, strong field documentation and careful evaluations throughout projects.  

Read the entire July 2026 Cotney Brief!

By Emma Peterson. 

Trent Cotney and Heidi J. Ellsworth look back at the 2026 Roofing Day in D.C. 

Earlier this year, roofing contractors and professionals from around the country came together to advocate for the future of the industry in Washington, D.C. This event, Roofing Day in D.C., is annually coordinated by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) as an opportunity for industry professionals to speak directly with representatives and government officials about the importance of roofing. To reflect on how the event went, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Trent Cotney from Adams and Reese for a Roofing Road Trips® episode.  

Trent has attended nearly every Roofing Day since NRCA began the event and shared how the event is structured. He explained, “The event is really about educating people on Capitol Hill about our industry and our struggles. NRCA does a tremendous job helping attendees organize and understand the talking points. It makes it easy for anyone to join in and help make our industry’s concerns be heard.” 

Each year, NRCA’s lobbying team picks out a few key issues that they want to highlight over the course of the event. Then they create a list of talking points that help Roofing Day attendees start the conversation with their representatives. This year's key issues focused on workforce instability, lack of affordable housing and the need for continuing technical education.  

During his time on Capitol Hill this year, Trent specifically spent time talking to his representatives about the need for legislation like the Dignity Act in relation to the workforce shortage and instability facing the construction industry and other trades. He explained:  

The Dignity Act’s entire goal is to give an opportunity for people to come here and work legally, with an eventual pathway to permanent status. And it addresses the issues of immigration and workforce shortages that we’ve seen in the headlines for the last few years. Because every single roofing contractor, manufacturer and supplier wants a legal workforce, but there is simply not a sufficient domestic labor supply. So, if we're going to have a zero-tolerance immigration policy, we also have to have a mechanism to allow people to come here and work those jobs.  

To be clear, this is not a red or blue issue – it's an industry issue. As Trent put it, “It’s really easy to watch the news and form a politicized opinion one way or the other. But what I’m talking about shouldn't be politicized. We’re talking about a real issue in the industry – we don’t have enough workers and we need a solution. Right now, our best solution is the Dignity Act.”  

Listen to the episode or Watch the recording to hear more about NRCA’s 2026 Roofing Day in D.C.

By Emma Peterson. 

Trent Cotney walks you through your rights for when OSHA comes to the jobsite. 

OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is the regulatory agency within the United States’ Department of Labor (DOL). It has existed since 1970 and its role is to protect U.S. workers “by setting and enforcing standards; enforcing anti-retaliation provisions of the OSH Act and other federal whistleblower laws; providing and supporting training, outreach, education and assistance; and working collaboratively with state OSHA programs.” In other words, OSHA is a regulatory body that ensures business and workspaces are compliant with health and safety standards. And one of the most common ways every day workers will encounter OSHA agents is during inspections.  

OSHA has jurisdiction and the ability to inspect any of the over seven million worksites in the U.S., including yours. These inspections performed by compliance safety and health officers, are often conducted without advanced notice, which can make them intimidating to contractors that don’t know what to expect when an OSHA officer suddenly knocks on their door. To alleviate this intimidation, Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese explained on one of our Read Listen Watch® (RLW) webinars what you can expect from an OSHA inspection.  

Trent started from the very beginning – how an OSHA officer will introduce themselves, sharing, “Typically what happens is, if you're up on a job site, they'll show credentials and they'll say, ‘I am here because of X.’ It's important that the site supervisor get that information, because what that's going to do is kind of put that investigation in a box.” What does Trent mean by putting it in a box? If they say, “I'm out here because I saw four guys on a roof without fall protection,” that means that they will only inspect stuff related to that incident and not other areas, like your trailers.  

Similar to making sure you establish an understanding of the parameters of the inspection, it is important that you assert your rights. For example, you have a right to have counsel present when speaking to the inspecting official, but they are not required to tell you that. You need to assert that right. Same with translators. 

As for the inspection itself, the most important thing to do is to secure the site by pausing or even stopping work. Trent explained:  

You have to stop work. And I don’t mean you sound an alarm and everyone runs. But from a safety standpoint, you don't want your site supervisor to not be focusing on the crew and instead focusing on OSHA. So, tell your crew to go on lunch, maybe even stop work for the day, whatever you need to make sure that you can secure the site, that it's safe and that your attention isn't diverted from managing your people.  

He went on to share a real-world story that showcases why securing the site is so important during an OSHA inspection:  

In 2002, I was representing an underground utility contractor that was digging a ditch outside of a building. And he had some problems, like a lack of a trench box and other stuff. An OSHA officer comes out to inspect, finds some issues and then is doing the closing conference to wrap up the inspection. And while they're doing the closing conference, one of the crew jumps into the ditch, grabs his lunch pail and scurries out of it. And just that resulted in another $5,000 fine. Now, had work stopped, had the crew gone off the site, then that would never happen.  

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what to expect and how to professionally manage an OSHA inspection. If you want to learn more, Trent is an invaluable resource. In fact, he wrote an entire book on the topic – OSHA Defense: Know Your Rights!  

In addition to reading Trent’s book, you can Listen or Watch to the rest of this RLW for more information about OSHA and handling jobsite inspections.