By Emma Peterson. 

From an action‑packed expo floor to standout speakers and special events, here’s what to expect at this year’s NFBA show.  

Join more than 1,000 post-frame professionals at the 2026 National Frame Builders Association (NFBA)’s annual conference and expo! This year’s show will be hosted from February 25 to 27 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center in Oklahoma and is sponsored by leading companies like Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings and McElroy Metal. It's the 58th year NFBA has hosted the show and promises to be a hub for professionals wanting to “find new products, learn best practices and network with colleagues.” 

Explore the expo 

Always a highlight of the show, the expo floor at this year’s conference is full of innovative products and engaging manufacturers. MetalCoffeeShop® will be there in the foyer, so make sure to stop by and say hello to our incredible team!  

Additionally, a lot of our industry friends will be at the show, including but not limited to Everlast Roofing (Booth 645), Dripstop (Booth 937), K-9 Fasteners (Booth 232), MARCO Industries (Booth 201), MetalForming (Booth 903), Progressive Metals (Booth 745) and S-5! (booth 743).  

Check out the full expo floor map!

Level up your learning 

And the expansive expo is just the tip of the iceberg of what the NFBA conference has to offer attendees! On Tuesday (February 24), NFBA will be hosting certification testing in room 104, which is a great opportunity to take your skills and reputation to the next level.  

Then, on Wednesday (February 25) and Thursday (February 26), there will be 13 hours of educational breakout sessions per day. These sessions cover everything from business management to technical skills. Some of our industry friends are even leading some sessions, like Paul and Emily Marshall (two of our incredible MCS Influencers who you might also know as Mr. and Mrs. Post Frame).  

You can find the full schedule of education sessions online.

Exceptional events 

And, throughout the entire three days of the show, there are a variety of special events. Some of the highlights include:  

• Keynote speaker: Wednesday morning (10:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.) will see Dr. Anirban Basu of Sage Policy Group deliver a powerful keynote all about the economic state of the industry. His talk will “deliver timely economic outlooks, industry-relevant analysis and forward-looking insights to help attendees better understand what’s ahead — and how to prepare their businesses for it.” 
• 2026 Women in Post Frame Meet & Greet: Later that day (February 25), NFBA will be hosting their much-anticipated Women in Post-Frame Meet & Greet at the Petroleum Club (transport provided for registered attendees). This casual event is a great way to make connections with other professionals who understand the experiences you have had.  
• Awards Luncheon: On Thursday, February 26 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., NFBA will host their annual awards luncheon. This ticketed event recognizes “exceptional performance-based accomplishments by [NFBA] members” with awards like Building of the Year, Excellence in Safety and the Bernon G. Perkins Award. 
• 2026 NFBA Foundation Auction: Closing the night on Thursday (7-10 p.m.) is the NFBA Social and Foundation Auction. The goal of the Foundation is to raise awareness of the post-frame industry by supporting education and industry advancements. This year’s theme is rodeo, so grab your hat and boots and get ready for a fun night in support of a good cause.  
• Friday fun: The last day of the show (February 27) will have a variety of expo floor competitions as well as the grand prize drawing. Whether you’re participating or cheering on from the crowd, the Screw-Driving Competition (10 a.m.) and the Nail-Pounding Competition (11 a.m.) are can’t miss events.  

If you haven’t already, make sure you are registered for this year’s NFBA conference and expo!

By Emma Peterson. 

Roofing associations nationwide are sharing their time and resources to support their communities and the future of the industry. 

Whether you are shopping for gifts, trying to get together with family or just wrapping up loose ends from 2025, the winter holiday season is a busy time. But we wanted to take a moment to pause and highlight how some people are giving back during this busy time. In no particular order, here are six stories of industry associations coming together this December to build up their communities by giving back. 

1 – Arizona Roofing Contractor Association (ARCA) 

The ARCA closed out their year of giving with their annual holiday party on December 10, 2025. The party, which was hosted at Fate Brewery from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., was in support of their Roofers Giving Back initiatives. These initiatives benefit: 

• Home of Hope: The ARCA Young Professionals group is gathering unwrapped gifts or monetary donations to purchase gifts this December for children at Home of Hope! 
• Youth On Their Own: The Tucson Bowling Committee is spending the month collecting non-perishable food items for the Youth On Their Own organization. 
• AZ Cancer Foundation: And Arizona Women in Roofing is collecting donations to support their efforts to purchase toys for the children at the AZ Cancer Foundation.  

If you want to donate to any of these causes, visit azroofing.org. For more information, call 602-335-0133. 

2 – Metal Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) 

Interested in advancing education, research and the future of the roofing industry? Consider supporting the MRCA Foundation! This foundation was created to raise awareness and improve the roofing industry by “supporting educational programming, industry research and industry-related academic scholarships.” 

Learn more about the foundation and donate to support their work! 

3 – The Associated Roofing Contractors of Oregon and SW Washington (ARC) 

This was the third year that the ARC gathered for a Christmas Dinner and Auction! Hosted on December 6 at the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel, this night was not only a fun gathering but a fundraiser for Fort Kennedy.  

Fort Kennedy is a nonprofit that provides food, clothing and other essential resources to homeless and low-income veterans in Oregon and Washington. Their mission is simple, “To enable all veterans to move forward in their lives after military service [by providing] transitional housing and shelter, ensure access to employment, family counseling and benefits.” 

Learn more about ARCOSWW and about Fort Kennedy.  

4 – Utah Roofing Contractors Association (URCA) 

A few states over, URCA also hosted a holiday party on December 5. Held at the PierPont Place, it was a casino royale themed party complete with blackjack, delicious food and a dazzling raffle. And like the other associations we’ve been highlighting, it was all for a good cause! URCA’s 2025 holiday party supported JustaBreak.org, a Utah-based nonprofit that gives cancer patients and caregivers joyful getaways to help bring them joy during their treatments.  

Learn more about URCA and learn more about JustaBreak.org. 

5 – International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC) 

For 2025 Giving Tuesday (the Tuesday following Thanksgiving), IIBEC set out to raise money for their foundations, RCI-IIBEC Foundation (US) and RCI Foundation Canada (Canada). These foundations aim to better the industry and help move towards safer, more secure building enclosures in many different ways, including:  

• Industry-leading research: Support for these foundations supports research efforts that move the industry forward.  
• Funding publications: These foundations manage the publication of many key publications, like the 5th edition of Wind Uplift Pressures on Low-Slope Roofs. 
• Collaborative work: Because of the support they get, these foundations can collaborate with other organizations, like the Charles Pankow Foundation, to combine efforts for improving the state of the industry. 

If you’re interested in supporting IIBEC’s foundations, contact Rick Gardner, foundations development officer, at rgardner@iibec.org. 

6 – National Frame Builders Association (NFBA) 

NFBA also has a charity organization that you can support! The NFBA Foundation works specifically to strengthen the future of the post-frame building industry. One of their biggest initiatives is their scholarship program, which opens doors for students who are current employees of NFBA member companies or family members of those current employees pursuing higher education fields that support construction and the post-frame profession. 

In addition to this, the NFBA Foundation also supports key training programs and research initiatives around the industry, such as the new edition of the NFBA Post Frame Building Design Manual.  

Donate to the NFBA Foundation and support the future of post-frame building! 

By Jenny Yu.  

Learn how you can stand out from your competitors by making safety and professionalism your main priority. 

In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Megan Ellsworth joined leaders of National Frame Building Association (NFBA) to discuss the 57th annual NFBA Annual Building Expo that occurred in Tennessee this past April. NFBA is a non-profit that promotes the interests of the post-frame construction industry and its members, including post-frame builders, suppliers, manufacturers, code and design professionals, building material dealers and structural engineers. 

The expo included educational sessions where builders could earn credits toward NFBA’s Accredited Post-Frame Builder program, a program that highlights builders’ business integrity and industry knowledge.  

Megan Pope, executive director of the NFBA, shared, “If you participate in this program, it demonstrates that you ensure quality for your customers, that safety and professionalism are important to you and that you continually train your team on an annual basis.” 

Sessions covered everything from broader topics such as sales, marketing and legal, to more niche yet popular topics such as barndominiums. This continued education can give members of NFBA’s Accredited Post-Frame Builder program a competitive edge. 

Megan added, “It sets you apart from your competition and you can say, ‘I'm an accredited builder. I'm established. I'm a real company that's going to take extra special care of you.’” 

NFBA also offers an NFBA Safety Certification specifically geared toward safety professionals in the post-frame industry.  

Participation in these programs can help businesses toward an Excellence in Safety Award recognizing NFBA member companies that demonstrate a commitment to improving job-site safety through the development, implementation and enforcement of a safety program.  

Read the transcript or Listen to the full episode to learn more about the 2025 NFBA Annual Building Expo and NFBA’s opportunities for education and certification.

By Anna Lockhart.  

Celebrate your team foreman’s hard work by nominating them for this monthly recognition.  

The National Frame Building Association (NFBA) wishes to recognize the dedicated and hard-working crew foreman of the construction industry each month with their Foreman of the Month award. Each winner will be featured in the organization’s monthly magazine and receive a $250 cash reward!  

This honor showcases the hard-working individuals who show exemplary performance, leadership skills and outstanding teamwork on the jobsite. Supervising a jobsite is no easy task, and those who show up to work each day ready to lead and manage their team deserve recognition!  

The leadership of the NFBA, an organization dedicated to furthering the interests of the post-frame construction industry, will pick an overall choice from the year’s monthly winners to be named the 2025 Crew Foreman of the Year. This prize will come with a $500 award and will receive the honor at the annual Frame Building Expo.  

Interested in nominating your foreman for this honor? Here’s how:  

Simply fill out a contact form from the NFBA website, answering a few questions about the character and outstanding work of your nominee. In addition, the NFBA asks all participants to include six high resolution photos showcasing projects that the crew foreman has worked on, including short descriptions of the project details. This information can be sent to NFBA representative, JaMaya Tate jtate@nfba.org. 

Learn more about this prestigious recognition and fill out a form today!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Building more than awareness, this organization is shaping the future workforce with one guide and training session at a time. 

In this episode of the MetalCast™ podcast, host Karen Edwards wraps up a wide-ranging conversation with Renee Ramey, executive director of the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), by shining a spotlight on two crucial new resources: the Residential Roofing Basics Guide for Metal and the Regional Considerations Guide. But the conversation’s not just about paper handouts; it’s about serious, boots-on-the-roof training and long-term career investment in metal roofing. 

The two drill deeper into what comes next for contractors and homeowners alike. Renee doesn’t mince words when explaining the practical value of these tools, saying, “If you’re going to be going through either a new build or a re-roof, I think it’s important as a homeowner to understand the components of your roof.” 

But for contractors looking to expand their skillset and boost their bottom line, Renee shares that reading is just the start. For those ready to take on the challenge, she says to get in contact with the MRA. From there, the MRA will connect professionals with manufacturer training, third-party programs and in-person events like METALCON, where the training zone is doubling in size due to demand. 

Partnerships with heavy hitters like the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and Metal Construction Association (MCA) are also paying dividends in the form of pro-certification tracks, tools designed to elevate installer credibility while ensuring quality in the field. 

“If you're an MRA member, it adds credibility to your business. You are a quality installer,” she says. Membership doesn’t just mean having a listing on the MRA site. It means having access to “third-party validation,” marketing resources and lead generation support; real ROI. 

Whether you’re a homeowner exploring roofing options or a contractor ready to diversify, these free guides are the gateway and the MRA is making it easy to get started. “We don’t charge anything for our guides,” Renee notes. “Shoot me an email and we’ll fire that off to you.” 

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast or Watch the conversation to learn more about how to stand out in the growing metal roofing market by exploring the strategies behind the latest industry guides! 

By Emma Peterson.

Check out over 170 exhibitors, incredible education sessions and hands-on demos at the 57th annual NFBA building expo this April.

The International Roofing Expo (IRE) might be over, but trade show season is still in full swing! In a new episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with some members of the National Frame Building Association (NFBA) leadership team to talk about the 57th annual NFBA Annual Building Expo. This expo will be happening at the Knoxville Convention Center in Tennessee from April 2-4, 2025.  

Megan Pope, NFBA’s executive director, shared a bit about what makes this event so special, saying, “It’s going to be the largest post-frame industry conference and expo that has ever been held because we have more exhibitors this year than we have ever had. We're breaking records in that department. And we have a lot of fun worked into this program too!” Those fun events (like the screw-driving and nail-pounding competitions happening on Friday, April 4) will be balanced with two days of educational seminars.  

Rachel Pinkus, the managing director for NFBA, added, “We have a lot of fresh seminars, but we also have some of the speakers coming back that have been very popular in the past, like Marvin Montgomery who will be talking about sales and leadership within your company. Also, we're going to have Stacee Lynn and Oliver Bell back with The Barndominium Company. And they have two sessions, and those have always been big draws.” In addition to the variety of incredible speakers, the trade show floor will be full of industry-leading innovations and products to explore. Rachel explained, “We have over 170 vendors with new technology, materials and processes for people to check out. It's going to have a lot of new things for everybody. And also, in our demonstration area, we're going to have Kyle Stumpenhorst back. He's going to be working with Plyco to do some proper installation of doors and windows... Todd Meinhold with Ridgeline Safety Systems and H&D Quality Builders and Dwayne Borkholder of Borkholder Building & Supply are going to be there demonstrating some new safety equipment as well.”

Joe Shimp, the incoming president of the NFBA board, emphasized the relevancy of this show for all professionals in the industry. He said, “We have built up an event that caters to everyone in our industry at every level. A well-run company needs and can benefit from a crew guy going through a show and coming back to the office with an idea of something they saw that would make them improve their efficiency, safety, work better.”

Read the transcript or Listen to the full episode to learn more about the 2025 NFBA Annual Building Expo. And if you haven’t registered yet, make sure to through NFBA’s website!

Editor's note: The following is the transcript of a live interview with Megan Pope, Rachel Pinkus and Joe Shimp of NFBA. You can read the interview below or listen to the podcast.

Intro: Welcome to Roofing Road Trips, the podcast that takes you on a thrilling journey across the world of roofing. From fascinating interviews with roofing experts to on-the-road adventures, we'll uncover the stories, innovations and challenges that shape the rooftops over our heads. So, fasten your seat belts and join us as we embark on this exciting Roofing Road Trip.

Hello, everyone. My name is Megan Ellsworth, and you are listening to a Roofing Road Trip podcast episode from rooferscoffeeshop.com. I'm so excited today because we are talking about the annual National Frame Builders Association Expo that's coming up this year.

And I have Megan Pope, Rachel Pinkus and Joe Shimp here. I'm so excited. Hi, guys. How are you?

Participants: Good. How are you? Good. Fine.

Heidi Ellsworth: Good. I'm honored to be chatting with you. So, let's dive right in and have, Megan, how about you, introduce yourself?

Megan Pope: Hi, I'm Megan Pope. I am the Executive Director of the National Frame Building Association.

Heidi Ellsworth: Incredible, Joe?

Joe Shimp: Yeah, I'm Joe Shimp. I'm the incoming President of the NFBA Board, as well as the President at Conestoga CV Structures, Inc.

Heidi Ellsworth: Awesome. Rachel?

Rachel Pinkus: Rachel Pinkus, and I am the Managing Director of the National Frame Building Association.

Heidi Ellsworth: Amazing. Okay. So, to start, what would you say makes this annual show such an important event for industry professionals? Maybe, Megan, you can hit that one first.

Megan Pope: Yeah, definitely. Well, this April, you're going to see the largest post-frame industry conference and expo that has ever been held.

Heidi Ellsworth: Wow.

Megan Pope: And I say that because we have more exhibitors this year than we have ever had. We're breaking records in that department. And we're going to have a lot of fun. We've got a lot of fun worked into this program. And we give you the four, three, two, one, is what I like to call it. So, it's four of our major networking events will be a part of the conference. We've got three days of trade show with the expo. And we have two days with educational seminars. And then, we have one big awards ceremony. So, a lot packed in in those few days. So, we're excited to bring that to people.

Heidi Ellsworth: That's great. Joe and Rachel, why would you say this is such an important event for the industry?

Joe Shimp: I mean, I would speak to the way we have built up an event that caters to everyone in our industry at every level, where many shows are targeting only owners of a company or only key decision makers. A well-run company needs, and can value and benefit from a crew guy going through a show and coming back to the office with an idea of something they saw that would make them improve their efficiency, work better, whatever or safety.

And I've had firsthand experience within my own company where we invite different levels and different backgrounds into the show, and they all get an education catered to their ability. But in addition to that, they see ideas and can bring them back and share and we can implement new things. So, I love that the show is dynamic and it's just a wholesome experience as a company owner to send your employee and team there.

Heidi Ellsworth: Yeah. Yeah, that's so great, too, as maybe you're on a crew and you don't always get to go to a lot of these industry events. And I think that's really important and special that this is a show that caters to so many different genres of people in the industry. That's cool.

Okay. So, Rachel, I'll start with you next. What can attendees expect to see on the show floor in terms of vendors, vendor showcases, demonstrations this year?

Rachel Pinkus: Yeah. So, this is the largest trade show floor that NFBA is ever going to have.

Heidi Ellsworth: Wow.

Rachel Pinkus: We have over 170 vendors [inaudible 00:04:05] square feet of new technology for people to check out, materials, processes. It's going to have a lot of new things for everybody.

And also, in our demonstration area, we're going to have Kyle Stumpenhorst back. He's going to be working with Plyco to do some proper installation of doors and windows. We're going to do the fall demonstration drop zone again. I think we've done that the last couple of years.

We have a couple of other special guests. Let's see. Todd Meinhold with Ridgeline Safety Systems and H&D Quality Builders and Dwayne Borkholder of Borkholder Building & Supply are going to be there. And they're going to be demonstrating some new safety equipment that is in the industry.

And lastly, we will have our contests on the demo floor. So everybody always looks forward to those: fastest nail driving and the fastest screw driving contest. We'll have those again, which are always a big thrill for everybody and has a great gathering.

Heidi Ellsworth: I love a contest on the show floor. They're so fun to watch. Yeah, I love it. Megan and Joe, anything else to add that people should be looking forward to on the show floor?

Megan Pope: Just wanted to say real quick that, if you're interested in seeing who is going to be there, who these exhibitors are, if you go to the events section of NFBA.org and click on the exhibitors tab, we do have a show floor layout, an interactive layout. So, you can see exactly who's going to be there. It gives you a description of each exhibitor, shows you exactly where their booth is going to be. So, if you want to pregame a little bit for the expo and map out your route, just hop on over there and you can take a look at that.

Heidi Ellsworth: Okay, great. That's so helpful. Joe, what are some of the key education sessions happening and being offered this year?

Joe Shimp: I'm always drawn to sales.

Heidi Ellsworth: Yeah.

Joe Shimp: So, I always like to go through and encourage the committee, in a sense, that Rachel focuses on or with quite a bit and make sure that we bring a high value to sales. There's technical, legal, financial. And again, with us appealing to a broad background, I think that it's important that we do have that diversity in what we offer. But yeah, I'm always excited about who's coming in for sales and their sessions. And honestly, the craze of barndominiums and things like that always draws a crowd. So, I don't think that anyone feels left out in our education offerings. And I think Rachel and her team do a great job of reviewing what speakers we've had, and who we can attract and keeping it fresh. So, I'm always stoked about our sessions.

Heidi Ellsworth: Yeah.

Rachel Pinkus: Yeah.

Heidi Ellsworth: Rachel, any standouts?

Rachel Pinkus: Yeah, we do have a lot of fresh seminars, but we also have some of the speakers coming back that have been very popular in the past. So, everybody loves Marvin Montgomery [inaudible 00:07:06] is talking about sales and leadership within your company. And Marvin's always been a great draw.

Another speaker that I want to draw attention to is with ITR Economics. ITR Economics is going to come in. They're one of the leading national economic companies out there. And with especially the change in administration, and all the different things that are going in the world, they give a really, really in depth economic outlook, not only for the upcoming year but for years into the future.And they're very neutral and statistic, data-driven companies, so they do a wonderful job.
Also, we're going to have back Stacee Lynn and Oliver Bell with Barndominium Company. And they have two sessions, and those have always been big draws.

And then, lots of other little new things. Of course, AI is always in the news and on the horizon and people are wondering how it's going to affect them and their business. So, we have an AI speaker coming in.

So, like Joe said, we said we've got a pretty good variety of speakers at this.

Heidi Ellsworth: Oh, that's great. And I love what you said, Joe, too, that it's very diverse, that everybody can find something that they're interested in. That's really great.

Okay. Megan, how does the NFBA certification training benefit professionals in the construction industry? And what's going on there at the NFBA show?

Megan Pope: Sure. So, the time that you spend at the educational sessions at the conference earns you credit towards our NFBA accredited post-frame builder program. And this is a program that our members can participate in. And we honor them and their integrity and industry knowledge through this program. So, it demonstrates that they ensure quality for their customers, that safety is important to them, professionalism, that they continually train their team on an annual basis.
So, if you participate in that program, it sets you apart from your competition and you can say, "I'm an accredited builder. I'm established. I'm a real company that's going to take extra special care of you." And that gives our program members a competitive edge in their business. So, yep, you get credits for going to the classes.

Heidi Ellsworth: I love it. That's such a great benefit too. While you're also having fun at the show, and seeing all these cool demonstrations and learning and just in having a good time, you're also gathering all of those credits. That's awesome. Okay. So, can you all tell us a little bit more about the awards ceremony that's happening? What makes it so special and how do the awards recognize outstanding achievements in the industry?

Megan Pope: Sure. One of the main things that we include in our awards ceremony is our Building of the Year Awards program. And this is an opportunity for us to highlight what our builder members are doing using cutting edge post-frame construction design and really utilizing the versatility of it. This industry has grown leaps and bounds as far as what is being cranked out with building design and building function. And it really gives us a chance to see what's the best out there. What are these beautiful projects that people have been creatively coming up with? And Joe, I know you've been involved a lot with the Building of the Year Awards and it's kind of near and dear to your heart. So, I just wanted to give you a chance to speak on that.

Joe Shimp: Yeah, I think that the awards, I think the first context or thought is, "Well, it's us celebrating greatness," which it is, absolutely. But what I actually see it as is inspiration for our entire industry and for the people who participate, not only to grow but to challenge the norm of designs. And like Megan said, we've come so far. So, the Building of the Year Awards, it's one of my favorite parts of the show, to be honest with you and promote greatness.

But like I said, when we look outside our industry, in our world we might be focused on certain aspects and structural designs and things like that. But for a lot of the outsiders and the public, they want to see something different. They want to see that we took post-frame and achieved a new goal. So, as we look at post-frame as the solution that we offer as an industry, I'm always excited to see the creative uses. And our judging does reward that.

Of course, we want to award and reward beautiful buildings that are well-thought-out and put together. But anytime that post-frame has added an additional value, it's exciting to see what people have done. So, I can speak a little bit to entries this year. I know that it was, if not the highest, one of the highest counts of entries. And I will give a little preview that I have never seen a group of projects this good. So, I'll just put it in that context.

Heidi Ellsworth: Wow. Oh, my gosh, that bodes well. How do people apply or send in their projects for this for maybe next year's show?

Megan Pope: So, we have that online at nfba.org, there's a section for awards. And you just hop on there and look for Building of the Year Awards, or B-O-Y is what we [inaudible 00:12:40]. And you can submit your entries. We have a large timeframe that ended a month ago. So, you want to look for that really in the fall and early winter. But you go on there and we have an online submittal form. It just takes you through the questions about your project. You fill that in, hit submit and you're good to go.

Rachel Pinkus: I just wanted to say, along with the Building of the Year Awards, we also do allow companies to recognize their foreman in their companies. And we do that all year long. So, also on the website in that same section, you can find a nomination form if you have an outstanding foreman at your company. And we will recognize those in each magazine, so six times a year in the magazine, but we do them for all 12 months. And then, during the awards ceremony, we will recognize a Foreman of the Year. And they'll go home with a cash prize, and some recognition and all that stuff as well. So, that's also great.

And then, we also have our safety awards of being in the construction industry. Of course, safety is at the forefront for our companies. We want to make sure everybody gets sent home safe from the work that they do every day. And so, we do work with our legal counsel, Gary [inaudible 00:13:59]. And there's applications for the safety program. And then, he gives them great feedback about their company safety programs and how they can improve them. And that is also a really great program where our members can get a lot of bang for their buck.

Again, those are ones that you have to apply for ahead of time, just like the Building of the Year Awards. But those people will also be recognized during the awards ceremony.

Heidi Ellsworth: That's awesome. Okay. So, at the awards ceremony, you're recognizing the Building of the Year, Foreman of the Year. Anyone else?

Megan Pope: Quite possibly. We have a very special award called the Bernon G. Perkins Award. And this is to recognize an outstanding member of the industry who's also heavily participated with the association over the years. But really what is considered is their impact to the industry as a whole. This award is not given out every year, and we're still in the process of taking nominations for that. So, good thing we're talking about it.

So, if you have someone in mind that you would like to nominate for the Bernon G. Perkins Award, same thing. Go to our website nfba.org, go to the awards section and find that Bernon G. Perkins Award application. And then, we will review those submittals and choose a winner.

Heidi Ellsworth: That's awesome. I love it. It's just nice to celebrate this great industry we're in and all the people that make it great and make it what it is. So, thanks for what you all are doing in terms of that.
And I know your foundation auction is always a big event. What does that look like this year and how does it impact the industry and the community?

Megan Pope: So, the Foundation Auction is part of our expo social. And the expo social is kind of like the grand finale of the conference program. It's the last networking event. It's the biggest networking event. Everybody's invited. This year we are having a county fair theme.

But yeah, it's going to be pretty fun. We're going to have some county fair games that people can play for prizes. We're bringing back our cornhole tournament this year, which was a hit last year. Yes, so we've got 10 sets of cornhole boards lined up. Joe helps with that. Tim Royer from Timber Tech helps with that as well and organizes the tournament.
And so, it's exciting to see 10 rows of cornhole bags flying through the air. [inaudible 00:16:23] a party. And then, we have food and beverage and musical entertainment. It's just a time for everybody to get together. But yeah, we have the auction as well incorporated into that to raise funds for the foundation.

So, the NFBA Foundation is a [inaudible 00:16:39] and it supports industry-related research, industry-related education and also scholarships for NFBA members and their families. And one of the primary focuses of the foundation this year and next year is to raise funds for the new edition of the NFBA's Post-Frame Building Design Manual.

So, this is a reference manual that is widely used across the country as a basis for post-frame construction. So, it's been a while since the second edition came out. So, this will be the third edition. And we're incorporating new content, but also updating the content that's in there, code standards and revisions that you see with those types of things. So, just getting everything up to date for people.

So, that's a project that we're excited to be working on. And that's what the foundation is focused on. And the event is going to be a great time.

Heidi Ellsworth: That's awesome. Who doesn't love going to the county fair? That's a great theme. I love it. Okay. Also, cornhole tournament sounds so much fun. That's amazing.

Okay, so what are some of the exciting auction items that you're going to be auctioning off?

Megan Pope: So, we usually have a pretty good assortment of different items, like tools. We get the latest technology of things that people are using in their homes or using on the job site. We are trying to incorporate some travel experiences into the auction items, but we are still getting those in. So, just want to plug that real quick.

If you could, if you're able, please feel free to send us an item for the auction. We'll have both a silent and a live auction. So, we are accepting contributions now to that. And you can also find that on our website under the foundation section.

Heidi Ellsworth: Okay. Incredible. Joe, were you going to say something?

Joe Shimp: Yeah, I would add, last year during the live auction, we did have someone donate or provide us with a flamethrower. That was quite the item. So, as Megan said, our goal is to raise money. But the whole night, the whole atmosphere is to have fun while raising money, not just come and have a boring, "Please give us donations to this". We're happy in any form or function, but our goal is to make it engaging and have a good time. And I think the theme this year capitalizes on that.

The cornhole tournament last year, we weren't sure to be completely honest, how many people would engage in it. And we ran out of room pretty quickly. So, it's really quite the event and for a good cause. So, it's an engaging, fun night that has a positive result at the end. So, pretty exciting.

Heidi Ellsworth: That is so awesome. I love it. Okay. So, to go back to the very beginning, when is the show? When is this year and how can people also register to attend?

Rachel Pinkus: Absolutely. So, the show is April 2nd through the 4th. We're going to be at the Knoxville Convention Center. We have four different host hotels that are right within walking distance, if not right across the street, from the convention center. All that information can be found at NFBA.org.

And we have several different ways that people can register. If you're wanting to go to the education, you can go ahead and register online. We've also been sending out paper forms in the magazine and hard copy mailings. And you can even register on site if you don't make the decision to go before you're already there. So, we can take registrations over the phone even, if that's what people need. So, any way that they can get ahold of our staff, we will help them get registered to attend.

Heidi Ellsworth: Okay, perfect. Well, I know I'm really excited. Roofer's Coffee Shop is really excited to be in attendance, and to be supporting the show and the auction and the awards. So, thank you so much for having us.
And I hope everyone goes to the website and registers now. Get your hotel and come on out because it sounds like it's going to be a really good time. And everyone can go to the NFBA directory on rooferscoffeeshop.com to learn more as well.

Any last words on why people should attend?

Joe Shimp: Just say you're missing out if you don't show up.

Heidi Ellsworth: Yeah.

Joe Shimp: So, that's not a threat. That's an encouragement. But seriously, if you were engaged in this industry and when you look at the value of not only... Just send as many people as you reasonably can to the show. It's such a positive value. It has such great takeaways. And you couldn't possibly get the education and the experience without attending a show like ours. So, that's what I would add.

Heidi Ellsworth: Absolutely.

Megan Pope: The in-person element of the show is something you cannot get anywhere else and it has an impact on everybody that attends. Everybody that's a part of it gets something out of it for sure. Time well spent.

Outro: That's great. Well, thank you all so much for chatting with me, taking time out of your busy days before the show to chat with me and explain all the exciting things you all are up to. So, thank you. And I will see you at the NFBA show on April 2nd.

Thank you so much, everyone out there listening. Please go to rooferscoffeeshop.com to learn more and we'll be seeing you next time on the next Roofing Road Trip.

If you've enjoyed the ride, don't forget to hit that subscribe button and join us on every roofing adventure. Make sure to visit rooferscoffeeshop.com to learn more.

Thanks for tuning in and we'll catch you on the next Roofing Road Trip.
 

More than a founder, he helped establish a new segment of the construction industry.

It is with profound sadness that Wick Buildings announces the passing of our esteemed founder, John F. Wick, who left us on January 15, 2025, after 98 ½ years. John Wick was not only a trailblazer in the post-frame industry, but also a caring leader whose vision, innovation, and dedication shaped the company and his community, and inspired countless others.

John Wick founded Wick Buildings in 1954 with a mission to improve the lives of farmers by making buildings that were more efficient, allowing for increasing production. Through innovative engineering and design ideas, and unwavering commitment to excellence in materials and manufacturing, he built Wick Buildings into a leader in the post-frame industry serving a wide range of building needs.

“Beyond his professional accomplishments, John Wick will be remembered for his mentorship and dedication to empowering the next generation of innovators," stated Allan Breidenbach, President of Wick Buildings. “He leaves behind a company that will continue to honor his vision.”

“It is only fitting that Wick Buildings is in the process of building a new production and headquarters facility on Wick Drive in Mazomanie, utilizing a parcel of land in an industrial park that John Wick worked with local officials to establish,” added Breidenbach. “He was a strong supporter of the local community through development and building projects, and we are proud to continue that legacy.”

The Wick Buildings family extends our deepest condolences to John Wick’s loved ones and all who were impacted by his extraordinary life.

In continuous operations since 1954 and with over 79,000 buildings completed, Wick Buildings provides post-frame structures for agricultural, dairy, equine, residential, personal storage, municipal, commercial and light industrial markets. Wick Buildings are sold by independent builders, and built by independent builders and Wick crews who live and work in their local communities.

If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Allan Breidenbach, please call
Bret Buelo at 608.795.1599 or email bret.buelo@wickbuildings.com.

By Emma Peterson. 

Step aside Golden Globes, Grammys and Oscars, it’s time to for the NFBA Building of the Year! 

The National Frame Building Association (NFBA)’s Building of the Year Award winners will be announced soon! There are 24 different categories plus a Judges’ Award that NFBA members were able to submit to. They are divided into “weight classes” where builders within the NFBA membership categories of $0–6 million in annual gross volume compete in the “Expert” level and builders within the NFBA membership categories of over $6 million in annual gross volume compete in the “Masters” level. 

All of the projects submitted were designed and erected by an NFBA member builder and utilize post-frame construction in at least 50% of the structure. Post-frame construction is defined by its wide column spacing with rafters/trusses that create the framing. Traditional timber framing mortise and tendon connections are not counted within this definition. Additionally, the project must have been completed between December 1, 2022, and November 30, 2024, by a current NFBA member builder.  

The winners of each category will be notified in February 2025 and should prepare to have at least one representative at the annual NFBA Conference and Expo Awards Luncheon (two complimentary tickets are provided with the award). This year the annual expo will be from April 2-4, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Beyond recognition at the show, they will be featured in NFBA’s publication and website. Winners also receive a plaque to showcase their company’s high-quality work and achievements in their office! If you have any clarifying questions you can contact NFBA at (800) 557-6957 or e-mail awards@nfba.org. 

As we excitedly wait to see who this year’s winners are, you should take a look at the incredible projects that took home the awards last year!  

By Emma Peterson 

From education and innovation to cornhole and a dance off, Des Moines, Iowa was the place to be this year!  

Earlier this year, the National Frame Building Association (NFBA) hosted their 56th annual conference and expo at the Iowa Events Center. From an expansive list of exhibitors sharing the newest innovations in post-frame to engaging educational sessions, this was the premier event for industry professionals. But the fun did not stop at the edge of the trade show floor; there were many other events running during the conference.  

One such event, Maze Nails Fastest Nail-Pounding Competition, brought out some friendly competition. It was followed by the Atlas Bolt and Screw Screw-Driving Competition and the winners’ hard work and skills were rewarded with some fun prizes. The competition didn’t stop there! This year also saw the return of the Expo Social Dance-off! There were some incredible moves left on the floor and everyone had a great time.  

The three conference days were packed full, but there were two events that really stood out.  

Women in Post Frame Meet & Greet 

The inaugural Women in Post Frame Meet & Greet ended the first day of the conference with some well-deserved fun and friendship! Hosted at the Iowa Taproom that evening, the event brought women from across the industry together to celebrate them and their talents. There were even special guest appearances from Anne Beiler and Emily Marshall (A.K.A. Mrs. Post Frame!).  

2nd Annual NFBA Foundation Auction 

The following day, March 7, featured some amazing events in support of the NFBA Foundation. This year, the auction was centered around a family picnic that was full of fun and laughter — and an incredible cornhole tournament! Twenty teams participated, and after a hard-fought competition, Scott VanEngen and Bob Woronko of SE Agricultural and Commercial Solutions were crowned the cornhole champions! They each walked away $100 richer and everyone had a lot of fun.  

The picnic goers also got to enjoy some good music thanks to the Aces and Eights party band! Overall, it was a great night and NFBA is incredibly thankful to everyone who came out. Through the attendees’ generosity, over $12,000 was raised to support the NFBA Foundation’s funding of the new edition of the NFBA Post Frame Building Design Manual, educational programs and industry research!  

Find out more about the 2025 NFBA Expo in Knoxville, Tennessee!