As a roofing SEO agency we have worked with roofing businesses long enough to know this: there are way too many trade shows claiming to be “can’t miss.” IRE, METALCON, FRSA, and state expos: you could spend half the year traveling and still feel unsure which events matter.
That’s why we reviewed the main calendars, past agendas, exhibitor lists, and contractor feedback to narrow it down to the best roofing trade shows that consistently help roofing companies find better suppliers, gain insights, or secure real business opportunities.
In this article, we’re breaking down the best roofing trade shows that are worth attending in 2026, who each one is best for, and what you can realistically expect from them.
Let’s get into it.
1. International Roofing Expo (IRE)
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IRE is the largest roofing event in North America. If you want a fast, high-level view of what’s new in roofing, tools, materials, tech, and industry direction, this is the show that gives it to you.
Dates: January 20-22, 2026
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center, West Hall
Cost: Expo Pass from ~$110; Super Pass from ~$635; Day Conference Pass from ~$440
Best For:
- Contractors comparing vendors and products
- Owners/operators improving processes or systems
- Sales teams that want sharper strategies
- First-timers attending a major roofing event
What to Expect: A huge expo floor, nonstop demos, product launches, and practical sessions led by people who actually work in the industry. Major suppliers, niche vendors, and thousands of contractors all in one place.
Why We Like It: It’s the easiest way to see the entire roofing landscape in a single trip.
2. METALCON
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METALCON is one of the world's largest and best roofing trade shows dedicated entirely to metal construction. If metal roofing is already part of your services, or you’re planning to expand into it, this show delivers the training, suppliers, and technical depth you won’t find at general roofing expos.
Dates: October 7-9, 2026
Location: Orange County Convention Center
Cost: TBA (typically includes expo passes + paid training workshops)
Best For:
- Contractors offering metal roofing or planning to add it
- Teams needing hands-on training or installation refreshers
- Companies looking for metal-specific equipment or tools
- Contractors expanding into wildfire-resistant or non-combustible roofing
What to Expect: Over 250 metal-focused exhibitors, hands-on demo areas, technical workshops, and deep-dive education sessions. The METALCON Training Zone is the main attraction: bilingual demos and installation techniques led by industry pros, covering steel, aluminum, zinc, and copper. You’ll also find masterclasses, rollforming equipment demos, coating innovations, and solar-ready metal systems.
Why We Like It: No other roofing event goes as deep into metal as this one. If you want to sharpen your craft, compare metal systems side-by-side, or expand into a high-demand niche, this is where you go.
3. FRSA Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Expo
The FRSA Expo is another big regional roofing show. It draws 5,000+ attendees and 240+ exhibitors every year. And the best part? It’s completely free for roofing and sheet metal contractors, which is why this show consistently delivers one of the highest ROI experiences in the industry.
Dates: June 10-12, 2026
Location: Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, Kissimmee, FL
Cost: Free for contractors (registration required)
Best For:
- Contractors working in the Southeast
- Crews needing CE credits or Florida licensing classes
- Vendors targeting Florida’s booming roofing market
- Teams wanting a cost-effective show with a strong turnout
What to Expect: A contractor-heavy expo floor, Florida-specific education, mandatory licensing classes, and 30+ hours of CE credit opportunities. The show offers 10 conflict-free exhibit hours (no overlapping sessions) so attendees can actually spend time with vendors. Expect sessions on wind mitigation, installation best practices, codes, legislation, and technical systems that Florida crews rely on daily.
Why We Like It: It’s free, highly specialized, and packed with decision-makers from one of the busiest roofing markets in the country, a rare combination.
4. Western States Roofing Expo
The Western Roofing Expo is the premier roofing and waterproofing event for the Western U.S., consistently drawing thousands of contractors, manufacturers, and distributors. The 2025 show in Las Vegas brought in 4,300+ attendees, one of the largest in its history.
Dates: September 27-29, 2026
Location: Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
Cost: TBA (typically includes expo-only and education pass options)
Best For:
- Contractors working in the Western U.S.
- Crews looking for practical, hands-on demos
- Vendors targeting Western markets
- Teams that prefer events with strong peer networking
What to Expect: A two-day expo floor, 30+ educational seminars, live product demos every hour, and a strong turnout from Western-region contractors. The standout feature is The Roofing Games™, a high-energy, sanctioned nailing competition where installers race to shingle a steep-slope deck and get judged on speed, accuracy, and workmanship. The show also includes golf tournaments, auctions, and plenty of informal networking opportunities.
Why We Like It: It’s a regional show with national-level energy. You get serious education, strong vendor presence, and a contractor-heavy crowd that’s actually there to learn, compete, and connect.
5. Texas Roofing Conference (RCAT)
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The RCAT Texas Roofing Conference is the largest roofing event in Texas, one of the biggest roofing markets in the U.S. Its 50+ year history and strong contractor turnout make it a must-include show for anyone targeting the Southern or Southwest regions.
Dates: October 21-23, 2026
Location: Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Round Rock, TX
Cost: ~$350 (RCAT member primary), ~$150 (additional attendees); ~$500 (non-member primary), ~$250 (additional)
Best For:
- Contractors working in Texas or the broader Southwest
- Residential and commercial teams needing licensing support
- Vendors targeting high-volume Texas contractors
- Companies that want a contractor-only environment
What to Expect: A three-day event with 150+ exhibitors, 20+ educational sessions, licensing boot camps, and optional exams. This is one of the rare best roofing trade shows that is open exclusively to roofing professionals, creating a focused environment with fewer distractions. Expect strong networking, golf tournaments, receptions, and programming centered on Texas-specific codes, business challenges, and regional market trends.
Why We Like It: Texas is a powerhouse roofing market. RCAT brings together serious contractors, strong exhibitors, and practical education, all in an atmosphere built for real industry pros.
6. RoofCON
RoofCON has become one of the most recognizable leadership-focused events in roofing. Instead of product-heavy expo floors, this conference centers on mindset, business growth, and leadership, making it a popular choice for owners and sales leaders who want more than tool demos.
Dates: January 5-7, 2026
Location: Oklahoma City Convention Center
Cost: TBA (typically includes standard passes, VIP packages, and early-bird discounts)
Best For:
- Owners focused on scaling their business
- Sales leaders who want stronger systems
- Growth-minded teams that care about leadership
- Vendors selling business solutions (not physical products)
What to Expect: Around 4,000+ attendees, 175+ vendor exhibits, 50+ breakout sessions, and general sessions led by high-profile entrepreneurs and industry voices. The agenda leans heavily into leadership, culture, and business systems rather than technical installation or equipment. Expect workshops, keynote-style talks, and curated networking events, including VIP mixers.
Why We Like It: It fills a niche most roofing events ignore: personal development and leadership. If you want to sharpen the business side of roofing (not just look at products), this is the place.
7. Roofing Day in D.C.
Roofing Day isn’t a trade show, but it’s one of the most influential events in the industry. Organized by NRCA, it brings hundreds of contractors, distributors, and manufacturers to Capitol Hill to speak with lawmakers about workforce, tax, and regulatory issues that directly impact roofing businesses.
Dates: April 14-15, 2026
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost: ~$95 for company representatives; ~$35 for field workers
Best For:
- Contractors who want a voice in federal policy
- Companies facing workforce or regulatory challenges
- Teams interested in advocacy and industry leadership
- Anyone wanting high-level networking outside a trade show setting
What to Expect: Two days of advocacy training, policy briefings, and scheduled meetings with senators, representatives, and congressional staff. NRCA coordinates everything (including prep sessions and mock meetings) so even first-time participants feel confident walking into Capitol Hill conversations. Attendance typically includes professionals from 30+ states.
Why We Like It: It shows the roofing industry at its most unified. Instead of product demos, you get direct access to the people shaping workforce policy, tax incentives, training funding, and regulations that affect roofing businesses every day.
Other Notable Roofing Events
These shows don’t make the core list but are worth knowing about if you work in specific regions or specialties:
- CRA Trade Show (Colorado): Strong regional event for Colorado contractors; good for local vendors, code updates, and networking.
- NERCA Annual Convention & Trade Show (Northeast): Popular in the Northeast for commercial roofing education, code discussions, and industry updates.
- IIBEC Convention & Trade Show: Ideal for anyone working with roofing and building enclosures; attracts consultants, architects, and technical pros.
- Storm Restoration Contractors Summit: Focused on storm damage, insurance work, sales systems, and restoration-specific best practices.
How to Make a Roofing Trade Show Worth It
Even attending the best roofing trade shows pays off only when you show up with a plan.
Go in with two or three things you want to accomplish: compare vendors, look at new tech, or train a team member. Anything more than that just gets noisy.
Schedule a couple of meetings before you go. Vendors get slammed, and having set times keeps you from wandering the floor all day. And once you’re there, walk the floor twice: first to see what’s new, second to make decisions.
Bring the right people, too. Owners catch strategy, ops spots process improvements, sales find tools that help them close faster. Everyone sees something different.
And finally, take quick notes or photos as you go. You’ll forget half of it by the next morning. A short team debrief within 48 hours is what turns a good show into actual changes back at the shop.
Takeaways
You don’t need 20 roofing shows on your calendar. You just need the right ones. IRE, METALCON, FRSA, Western States, RCAT, RoofCON, and Roofing Day cover almost every angle you might care about: tech, products, regional markets, leadership, and policy.
The trick is choosing the show that matches the season your business is in:
- If you need new suppliers → IRE or FRSA.
- If you’re expanding into metal → METALCON.
- If you want regional intel → Western States or RCAT.
- If you’re focused on leadership and growth → RoofCON.
- If you want a voice in shaping the industry's rules → Roofing Day.
Go where the ROI is clearest. Plan your time. Bring the right people. And come back with something you’ll use. That’s how you make trade shows worth it.
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