Por Jenny Yu, traducido por Alberto Torres. 

El 17.º Proyecto Anual de Servicio Comunitario reunió a 30 voluntarios para ayudar a residentes necesitados de Las Vegas. 

Antes de que expositores y asistentes llenaran el piso de exhibición de la International Roofing Expo, 30 voluntarios se reunieron el lunes 19 de enero de 2026 para participar en el 17.º Proyecto Anual de Servicio Comunitario del evento. 

En colaboración con la organización sin fines de lucro Rebuilding Together — Southern Nevada y con el patrocinio de líderes de la industria como Sika Corporation y GAF, el Día de Servicio Comunitario de este año brindó a los asistentes la oportunidad de retribuir a la comunidad local donando su tiempo para reparar las viviendas de dos residentes de bajos ingresos de Las Vegas. 

“Donamos $15,000 para ayudar a pagar todos los materiales de construcción y la mano de obra de Rebuilding Together,” dijo Bill Bellico, vicepresidente de Sika, a KLAS 8 News Now. 

La primera propietaria beneficiada fue Minnie Davis, de 78 años. Minnie ha sido dueña de su casa desde 1985, pero tras el fallecimiento de su esposo Bob en octubre de 2025, mantener la propiedad se volvió demasiado difícil física y económicamente. Los voluntarios de IRE se ofrecieron para pintar paredes, reparar puertas y limpiar el patio, ganándose la gratitud de Minnie. 

“Es abrumador ver a toda esta gente cuidándome,” expresó Minnie. “¡Si pudiera, les daría un millón de dólares a todos por ayudarme!” 

Los voluntarios también colaboraron con reparaciones y limpieza del patio de una pareja de 73 años con bajos ingresos, quienes han sido propietarios de su hogar durante 20 años y han tenido dificultades para mantenerlo debido a su edad avanzada y limitaciones financieras. 

En general, el Día de Servicio Comunitario de IRE fue una jornada de ayuda y unión dentro de la industria, preparando el terreno para una experiencia exitosa en la conferencia. “Es un día realmente gratificante, porque reúnes a personas de toda la industria y creas lazos más fuertes dentro de la comunidad,” compartió Bill. 

Fuente de la imagen: International Roofing Expo

By Emma Peterson. 

Whether you’re an attendee or an exhibitor, you don’t want to miss this premier air barrier event!  

The Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) will be hosting their annual building enclosure conference and trade show this May! This two-day show (May 5-6, 2026) will be held at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is an unparalleled opportunity for design professionals, general contractors, air barrier contractors, consultants and testing labs to network, learn and grow together. 

Come as an attendee 

For attendees, this is your chance to earn valuable professional credits, network with industry leaders and discover the latest innovations in the air barrier world. There will be 22 dynamic presentations from top building enclosure experts sharing real-world insights and best practices across the two days of programming, offering professionals a chance to earn up to 12 total credits.  

There will also be unique in-person training opportunities that combine classroom learning with hands-on experiences. These trainings run a bit longer than the rest of the program, as they are divided into three core modules over three days (May 5-7, 2026). This year’s tracks include self-adhered/fluid applied installer training (SA/FL), spray polyurethane foam installer training (SPF) and auditor training.  

The best part? ABAA is providing “all BEC members, specification writers and architectural firm employees with a discounted rate.” Please note, these rates do not apply for the installer or field auditor training courses. Contact ABAA to learn more about eligiblity for these discounts.  

Exhibit on in the expo hall 

Looking for a way to meet your clients face-to-face? Consider exhibiting at ABAA’s annual building enclosure conference and trade show! The expo hall at the show is strategically placed at the heart of the event, giving you a great opportunity to gain exposure, build partnerships and foster new business growth. 

Don’t miss your chance to showcase your offerings alongside industry leaders like SOPREMA, VaproShield, Polyglass, Tremco, Sika, Georgia-Pacific and RAiNA. 

Learn more about the show and why it’s a great investment in your future, both as an attendee and an exhibitor.

By Jenny Yu.  

Sika’s presence at IRE 2026 underscored the growing momentum behind liquid-applied membranes. 

At the 2026 International Roofing Expo, Sika Corporation showcased its liquid membranes, demonstrating the company’s proactive approach to meeting market trends. Sean Fraker, national manager for Sika’s roofing division specific to liquid-applied membranes, spoke with Karen Edwards about how Sika is leading the charge for the industry.   

“We offer everything from acrylics and silicones to single-component urethanes, polyureas, PMMAs (polyurethane-modified methyl methacrylates) and a couple of other things that we're experimenting with as the as the roofing world changes and has different demands,” Sean shared. “That's our focus this year.”  

The roofing world is indeed changing, with the liquid-applied membrane segment growing every year. “Freedonia just released this year's report with expected growth at 7%. Do that five, six years in a row — it’s a rapidly growing market,” Sean said. “A lot of people are spending time recovering versus replacing. So, if you want to be in the market and you want to play, you’ve got to have a good line of liquids, and we do.” 

For contractors looking to expand their offerings to include liquid-applied membranes, Sika is ready to help. With over 100 salespeople across the United States, Sika has a robust system to prepare contractors and takes training seriously. “We make sure contractors have the skillset, the crew and the basic equipment. Then, we go through a series of training,” Sean explained. “Some of the technologies require specialized equipment and application methods, so we've got an experienced technical staff for that training.” 

With liquid’s many attractive features and benefits — from sustainability, energy efficiency and availability in just about any color — Sika’s booth during the Expo saw a steady stream of visitors. “It’s been jam-packed,” Sean said. “We had 40 people scheduled in the booth, and all of them left exhausted. We did a lot of talking.”  

Watch the interview to learn more about Sika’s liquid-applied membranes!

By Jenny Yu.  

The 17th Annual Community Service Day Project gathered 30 volunteers  to serve Las Vegas residents in need. 

Before exhibitors and attendees filled the International Roofing Expo trade show floor, 30 volunteers gathered for the event’s 17th Annual Community Service Day Project on Monday, January 19, 2026.  

In partnership with nonprofit Rebuilding Together - Southern Nevada and sponsored by industry leaders including Sika Corporation and GAF, this year’s Community Service Day provided conference attendees with an opportunity to give back to the local community by donating their time to repair homes for two low-income Las Vegas residents. 

“We donate $15,000 to help pay for all of the construction materials and the Rebuilding Together labor,” Bill Bellico, vice president of Sika, told KLAS 8 News Now. 

The first homeowner was 78-year-old Minnie Davis. Minnie has owned her home since 1985, but after the passing of her husband Bob in October 2025, keeping up with the maintenance of the property was too physically and financially burdensome. IRE volunteers stepped up to paint walls, repair doors and clean up the yard, earning Minnie's gratitude.  

“It’s overwhelming to see all these people take care of me,” Minnie expressed. “If I could, I’d give them all a million dollars for helping me!” 

Volunteers also helped with repairs and yard cleanup for a low-income 73-year-old couple who have owned their home for 20 years and struggled with the upkeep of their property due to their older age and financial difficulties.  

Overall, the IRE Community Service Day was a day of giving back while building industry unity, setting the stage for a successful conference experience. “It’s a really rewarding day, because you’re bringing together people across the industry, creating stronger ties within the community,” Bill shared. 

Image source: International Roofing Expo

Industry voting opens 19 March and closes at 6 p.m. Sunday 19 April.

Now in its 20th year, the UK Roofing Awards continues to attract talented contractors from across the country to put forward their project in the hopes of being crowned winner. 

The UK Roofing Awards will be taking place on Friday 8 May 2026 at the Intercontinental London — The O2. Tables for the event are available to book now. 

The Industry Choice Award, sponsored by Radmat Building Products, will allow the industry to have its say on its favourite project. Voting opens 19 March. 

The finalists are as follows: 

Bituminous hot applied liquid waterproofing — sponsored by Radmat Building Products Ltd 

• One Leadenhall – Lindner Prater Ltd 
• 1 Southwark Bridge – Hambro Roofing Ltd 
• 19-35 Baker Street – Lindner Prater Ltd 
• Olympia Centra l –Noble House Services (UK) Ltd, working with Radmat Building Products Ltd 

Cold applied liquid waterproofing - sponsored by Unilin Insulation UK Ltd 

• The Library, Murray Edwards College – Millane Contract Services Ltd, working with WestWood Liquid Technologies Ltd 
• Jersey Opera House – Rateavon (Jersey) Ltd, working with Triflex (UK) Ltd 
• Christ’s College, Cambridge – Emperor Roofing Ltd, working with Sika Ltd 
• 25 Moorgate – Essential Building Services Ltd, working with Proteus Waterproofing Ltd 

Fully supported metal – sponsored by Radmat Building Products Ltd 

• Oxford Brookes University – Roles Broderick Roofing Ltd 
• Rockmount – Install Zinc Ltd 
• 65 Davies Street – Richardson Projects 
• Lollipoppet Castle – Matt Timby Ltd 

Green roofing — sponsored by Bauder Ltd 

• Chester Zoo – Safeseal Roofing Ltd 
• Kay Premium Marking Films (KPMF) – Haran Roofing Ltd 
• Kellstone – JPT Roofing Ltd, working with Soprema UK 
• Rushers Ghyll – Clarke Roofing Southern Ltd 

Heritage roofing — sponsored by Glidevale Protect 

• Auchendennan House – DM Roofing & Roughcasting Ltd 
• All Saints C of E Church – Richard Soan Roofing Services 
• Hoole Community Centre – Emerton Roofing (Western) Ltd 
• Staick House – Rowlands Roofing 

Leadwork – sponsored by Calder Industrial Materials Ltd 

• Kings Theatre – Premier Specialist Roofing Contractors Ltd 
• Warwick House – EWN Leadwork Specialists Ltd 
• Woronzow Road – Fraden Contracts Ltd 
• Country Manor – Emerton Roofing (Western) Ltd 

Mastic asphalt — Sponsored by Mastic Asphalt Council (MAC) 

• Herstmonceux Castle – Sussex Asphalte Ltd 
• 2 Willow Road – Bespoke Asphalt Ltd 
• Southampton Art Gallery – Abbey Asphalt Roofing Ltd 
• Carrickfergus Castle – John Fetherston Asphalt Roofing Ltd, working with IKO PLC 

Multi-discipline project over £500K – sponsored by Radmat Building Products Ltd 

• Spindles Shopping Centre – Longworth Facades 
• Chesterfield & Derby Hospitals – MAC Roofing & Contracting Ltd 
• University of Derby Business School – Advanced Roofing Ltd 
• Rivenhall IWMF – MAC Roofing & Contracting Ltd 

Project under £25K – sponsored by Radmat Building Products Ltd 

• The Highcross Bell Tower – Prestige Metal Roofing Ltd 
• Ferry Footbridge Control Tower – Richard Soan Roofing Services 
• Wickham Manor outhouse – Karl Terry Roofing Contractors Ltd 
• Ellesmere College Turret – Emerton Roofing (Western) Ltd 

Rainscreen façades – sponsored by Kingspan Ltd 

• LHR21 – Kovara Projects Ltd 
• Countess of Chester Hospital – Longworth Facades 
• The Marcus Hotel – Thornton Roofing (Ireland) Ltd 
• Warwick Hospital – Marksman Roofing & Cladding Ltd 

Reinforced bitumen membranes — sponsored by Radmat Building Products Ltd 

• Cambridge South Station – Hambro Roofing Ltd 
• Milton Keynes Library – Ashe Roofing Ltd 
• Carlsberg Britvic Brewery – Cambridge Flat Roofing Company Ltd, working with Garland UK 
• Smurfit Westrock – LRL Roofing Solutions 

Roof slating — sponsored by CUPA PIZARRAS S.A. 

• King George V Pavilion – The Evana Group Ltd 
• Walworth Town Hall – Richardson Projects 
• Bristol Central Library – Ashcroft Services Ltd 
• Little Eversden, Cambridgeshire – Roof Brothers Ltd, working with CUPA PIZARRAS S.A. 

Roof tiling – sponsored by Marley Ltd 

• Tamella – SDS Roofing Services Ltd 
• Baslow Road – Clarke Roofing Southern Ltd, working with Keymer Tiles Ltd 
• 1-3 Orme Court – Richardson Projects 
• New Road Court Apartments – M. Camilleri & Sons Roofing Ltd 

Sheeting and cladding – sponsored by Radmat Building Products Ltd 

• Belfast Harbour Film Studios – Thornton Roofing (Ireland) Ltd 
• Etex – Massey Cladding Solutions Ltd 
• Booker Barnsley – Blade Roofing Ltd 
• Belfast Grand Central Station – Thornton Roofing (Ireland) Ltd 

Single ply – sponsored by Recticel Insulation UK Ltd 

• Nant Caerau Primary School – J Randall Roofing Contractors Ltd 
• Robin House – Aim Developments Ltd, working Sika Ltd 
• Seabrook Orchards – NRA Roofing & Flooring Services Ltd, working with ICB (Waterproofing) Ltd 
• Premier Inn, Margate – Invictus Roofing Ltd 

Solar – sponsored by SIG Roofing  

• Jigsaw Homes, Chorley – DLP Services (Northern) Ltd, working with wienerberger UK  
• St Nicholas Leisure Centre – Stace Roofing Ltd 
• Twigs – Roofing Matters Group Ltd 
• Yeoman Park School – Advanced Roofing Ltd 

James Talman, NFRC CEO said: “I am delighted to see so many ambitious and talented contractors from across the UK entering these awards. 

“Yet another record-breaking year for entries demonstrates the desire for being recognised by the UK Roofing Awards, a testament to how significant the event is for our sector. 

“Wishing all entrants the very best of luck. I look forward to celebrating with you in May.”  

On top of the winners of each category and the Industry Choice Award being crowned, one winning project will also gain the ultimate accolade of ‘Project of the Year.’  

The Individual Health and Safety Award and Young Roofer of the Year will be announced on the day. 

Industry Voting opens 19 March. To vote for your favourite project as winner of the Industry Choice Award, visit the dedicated awards portal. Voting closes 6 p.m. Sunday 19 April. 

From packed aisles and live demonstrations to soundstage interviews and meaningful conversations, WOC 2026 showcased the innovation and heart of the industry. 

World of Concrete (WOC) 2026 defined the scale and energy of the construction trades coming together this year. Our crew had the unique opportunity to be present at both the International Roofing Expo (IRE) and World of Concrete, moving between two massive shows, two soundstages and countless conversations. Here’s a closer look at how it went and what it means to capture the stories that matter most to the industry. 

For Heidi J. Ellsworth, president and CEO of The Coffee Shops™, the week was all about participation: 

We were able to really tell the stories of those in this industry through interviews on the floor, live conversations on our soundstage and just through all the activities that we participated in, from National Women in Roofing Day to Roof Coating Manufacturers Association (RCMA) meeting, ROOFPAC, Roofing Alliance Student Competition and RT3 panel. I feel that we not only told the stories, but we participated in a way that really helps to elevate the industry.  

It was a truly spectacular week, and big shout out to Informa and NRCA for everything that they do to make this show such a success.  

Experiencing the scale and energy 

Moving between both shows gave the crew a front-row seat to the size, diversity and momentum of the construction and coatings industries. Dani Sheehan, content strategist, described the experience of opening day at WOC: 

Day one, when everything opened, Camden and I had the chance to walk the show floor and people were literally shoulder to shoulder. You couldn’t move; it felt like a school of fish just moving through the crowd, but the energy was palpable. It was so cool to see it, to witness it and to watch as that energy carried into conversations and demonstrations with our partners. 

World of Concrete offered the opportunity to explore new dimensions of familiar brands. Dani and Camden highlighted time spent with manufacturers and coatings experts: 

Our first interview of the day was Sika. Learning about all their wall coatings and the trainings they lead was really interesting – it was a part of their business I was unfamiliar with. Then, we got to hang out in the outdoor demonstration area with our friends from ICP Group. APF Polymer Surfaces and Pli-Dek were there showing us some amazing decorative floor coatings. It was almost hard to get to the interview because so many people were at the demo. We loved engaging in these conversations and having the chance to ask them questions in real time. 

Bringing the industry together 

While much of her week centered around IRE, Karen Edwards, COO of The Coffee Shops, had some time to experience WOC firsthand, emphasizing that whether our crew is on the soundstage or walking the show floor, the mission remained the same: 

In the last two hours of the show, I was able to go over to WOC with Heidi, visit some existing customers, talk to some new customers and really see the size and breadth of the show. It’s really impressive and incredible. We’ve been using the tagline recently, ‘Your industry, Your stories,’ and that’s our goal, really, is to focus on the industry, telling the stories, having those conversations, sharing those interviews and uplifting the entire industry. 

For Karol Weyman, product and business development director, WOC was unlike anything she had experienced before: 

World of Concrete did not disappoint — it was the largest show I’ve attended in my career. CoatingsCoffeeShop™ was located right in the lobby, and we had an incredible number of people stop by to share their stories. The passion across the industry was contagious. My role at the show was to oversee the booth and serve as a soundstage host, which gave me the opportunity to connect with contractors who have been in the industry for over 40 years, as well as manufacturers, distributors and service providers who are truly committed to supporting and advancing the industry. We also attended several outstanding charity-focused events, which reinforced one clear takeaway: this is an industry that genuinely values giving back and paying it forward. 

Evelyn Witterholt, content developer, shared a similar sentiment: 

World of Concrete lives up to its name, both in size and impact. It was our first time exhibiting at WOC and being positioned in the lobby meant we got to be on the frontlines of this incredible show. We got to meet people from all sectors of the industry, many of which were excited to talk to us about their businesses. With three indoor halls and two outdoor exhibits, there was plenty of exploring to do at the show. I particularly enjoyed watching the concrete double disc trowel agility course competition. I can't wait to see what WOC 2027 has in store! 

Training, competition and innovation 

From outdoor exhibits to emerging technology, innovation was everywhere. Megan Ellsworth, multimedia director, was struck by how much hands-on learning and competition took place throughout the event: 

There was the brick layer competition, and that was super fun to watch all the brick laying teams competing out in the bronze lot exhibit area working so hard to get every brick laid right.

The outdoor exhibits were my favorite – it was really cool to see big name brands like DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee and even more! One thing that I love that is growing in the trades right now is women joining crews. There weren't many out there, but there were more than I have ever seen before, and I loved seeing that. I spoke to so many companies that were exploring the world of 3D printing, especially with concrete and that fascinated me. Quikrete was a standout in their capabilities of 3D printing with concrete, and the creations they had on display were somewhat mind-blowing. It is brilliant to see the innovations and what will be taken back home with contractors from the show and how the building trades industry grows after shows like World of Concrete. 

For our crew, World of Concrete was inspiring to participate in – listening, learning and amplifying the voices shaping what comes next. 

Check out our YouTube playlist for more insights from industry experts!

By Emma Peterson. 

Join The Coffee Shops™ crew and our industry partners in Sacramento for four days of education, innovation and industry connection. 

The Coffee Shops™ crew is putting the finishing touches on our travel plans to get to Sacramento, California March 12–15, 2026 for the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC)’s International Convention and we want to see you at our booth and soundstage, sponsored by Western Colloid!  

This year’s show is predicted to host “1,700 consultants, architects, engineers, design professionals and other experts” for four days of learning, networking and more! With national sponsors like Carlisle, Elevate™, GAF, IB Roof Systems™, Johns Manville, Polyglass USA Inc., Sika Corporation, SOPREMA and Versico, this show is a must-attend for professionals in all parts of the roofing world.  

Expert-led education  

This show gives attendees a chance to learn from a variety of industry leaders and experts through their cutting-edge education sessions. Here are some of the incredible presenters that will be at this year’s show:  

• Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese will be hosting a “State of the Industry” session that will explore contract provisions and other emerging regulatory trends.  
• Darren Perry of SOPREMA has a session that discusses how low slope roofing can be enhanced in response to severe climate risks. 
• Amrize’s National Technical Manager Victor Rosenthal and Project Manager Rachael DeMeio will be teaching about trends in roof re-cover applications this year. 
• Jennifer Stephan from Benchmark’s session will dive into the world of Refrigerated Processing and Cold Storage Operations in relation to industrial roofing projects.  

Check out the full speaker list online!

An expo floor route 

The Coffee Shops crew will be on the expo floor hosting a soundstage at booth #1113! Here’s just a few of the other Coffee Shops friends and partners that can be found on IIBEC’s 2026 International Convention expo floor:  

• All Weather Insulated Panels (booth #1216) 
• Anchor Products (booth #907)  
• ATAS International (booth #728)  
• BITEC Inc. (booth #1023) 
• Brava Tile (booth #208) 
• CertainTeed (booth #227)  
• General Coatings Manufacturing (booth #926) 
• H.B. Fuller (booth #113) 
• ICP Building Solutions Group (booth #133) 
• IKO Industries (booth #426) 
• Leister (booth #619) 
• Malarkey Roofing Products (booth #213) 
• MuleHide (booth #814) 
• Roof Hugger (booth #707) 
• S-5! (booth #1019) 
• Sheffield Metals International (booth #625) 
• Sherwin Williams Roofing Solutions (booth #422) 
• Tremco (booth #321) 
• USG Securock (booth #401) 
• Western Colloid (booth #923) 
• Westlake Royal Roofing Solutions (booth #433) 

Explore the full expo floor map!

Register today and make sure you stop by to say hi to us and our industry friends at the IIBEC’s 2026 International Convention!

Desde pasillos llenos y demostraciones en vivo hasta entrevistas en el set y conversaciones significativas, WOC 2026 mostró la innovación y el corazón de la industria.  

World of Concrete (WOC) 2026 definió la escala y energía de los oficios de la construcción que se reunieron este año. Nuestro equipo tuvo la oportunidad única de estar presente tanto en la International Roofing Expo (IRE) como en World of Concrete, moviéndose entre dos enormes ferias, dos escenarios y un sinfín de conversaciones. Aquí tienes un vistazo más de cerca de cómo nos fue y lo que significa capturar las historias que más importan para la industria. 

Para Heidi J. Ellsworth, presidenta y directora ejecutiva de The Coffee Shops™, la semana se centró en la participación: 

Pudimos realmente contar las historias de quienes forman esta industria a través de entrevistas en el piso, conversaciones en vivo en nuestro escenario y todas las actividades en las que participamos, desde el National Women in Roofing Day hasta la reunión de Roof Coating Manufacturers Association (RCMA), ROOFPAC, la competencia estudiantil de Roofing Alliance y el panel de RT3. Siento que no solo contamos las historias, sino que participamos de una manera que realmente ayuda a elevar la industria. 

Fue una semana verdaderamente espectacular y un gran agradecimiento a Informa y NRCA por todo lo que hacen para hacer de este evento un éxito. 

Experimentando la escala y la energía 

Moverse entre ambas ferias le dio al equipo una vista privilegiada del tamaño, la diversidad y el impulso de las industrias de la construcción y recubrimientos. Dani Sheehan, estratega de contenido, describió la experiencia del día de apertura en WOC: 

El primer día, cuando todo abrió, Camden y yo tuvimos la oportunidad de caminar por el piso de la feria y la gente literalmente estaba hombro con hombro. No podías moverte; se sentía como una escuela de peces moviéndose entre la multitud, pero la energía era palpable. Fue muy genial verlo, presenciarlo y observar cómo esa energía fluía hacia las conversaciones y demostraciones con nuestros socios. 

World of Concrete ofreció la oportunidad de explorar nuevas dimensiones de marcas conocidas. Dani y Camden destacaron el tiempo que pasaron con fabricantes y expertos en recubrimientos: 

Nuestra primera entrevista del día fue con Sika. Aprender sobre todos sus recubrimientos para paredes y las capacitaciones que ofrecen fue realmente interesante; era una parte de su negocio que yo no conocía. Luego, estuvimos en el área de demostraciones al aire libre con nuestros amigos de ICP Group. APF Polymer Surfaces y Pli-Dek estaban allí mostrándonos increíbles recubrimientos decorativos para pisos. Casi fue difícil llegar a la entrevista porque había tanta gente en la demostración. Nos encantó participar en estas conversaciones y tener la oportunidad de hacer preguntas en tiempo real.

Uniendo a la industria 

Aunque gran parte de su semana estuvo centrada en IRE, Karen Edwards, directora de operaciones de The Coffee Shops, tuvo tiempo para experimentar WOC de primera mano, enfatizando que ya sea en el escenario o caminando por la feria, la misión seguía siendo la misma: 

En las últimas dos horas del evento, pude ir a WOC con Heidi, visitar algunos clientes existentes, hablar con nuevos clientes y realmente ver el tamaño y la amplitud de la feria. Es realmente impresionante e increíble. Hemos estado usando el lema recientemente, ‘Tu industria, Tus historias’ y ese es realmente nuestro objetivo: enfocarnos en la industria, contar las historias, tener esas conversaciones, compartir esas entrevistas y elevar a toda la industria. 

Para Karol Weyman, directora de desarrollo de productos y negocios, WOC fue algo como nunca antes había experimentado: 

World of Concrete no decepcionó: fue la feria más grande a la que he asistido en mi carrera. CoatingsCoffeeShop™ estaba ubicado justo en el lobby y tuvimos un número increíble de personas que se acercaron para compartir sus historias. La pasión en toda la industria era contagiosa. Mi rol en el evento fue supervisar el stand y servir como presentadora del escenario, lo que me dio la oportunidad de conectar con contratistas con más de 40 años en la industria, así como con fabricantes, distribuidores y proveedores de servicios verdaderamente comprometidos con apoyar y avanzar la industria. También asistimos a varios eventos benéficos excepcionales, que reforzaron una conclusión clara: esta es una industria que genuinamente valora retribuir y apoyar a los demás. 

Evelyn Witterholt, desarrolladora de contenido, compartió un sentimiento similar: 

World of Concrete hace honor a su nombre, tanto en tamaño como en impacto. Fue nuestra primera vez exhibiendo en WOC y estar ubicados en el lobby significó que estuvimos en primera línea de este increíble evento. Conocimos a personas de todos los sectores de la industria, muchos de los cuales estaban emocionados de hablar con nosotros sobre sus negocios. Con tres salas interiores y dos exhibiciones al aire libre, hubo mucho por explorar. Particularmente disfruté ver la competencia de agilidad con la llana de doble disco para concreto. ¡No puedo esperar para ver lo que WOC 2027 tiene preparado! 

Capacitación, competencia e innovación 

Desde exhibiciones al aire libre hasta tecnología emergente, la innovación estaba en todas partes. Megan Ellsworth, directora de multimedia, quedó impactada por la cantidad de aprendizaje práctico y competencia presente durante el evento: 

Hubo la competencia de albañiles y fue muy divertido ver a todos los equipos compitiendo en el área de exhibición “Bronze Lot,” trabajando tan duro para colocar cada ladrillo correctamente.

Las exhibiciones al aire libre fueron mis favoritas: fue genial ver marcas tan grandes como DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee y ¡muchas más! Algo que amo y que está creciendo en los oficios es que más mujeres se unen a los equipos. No había muchas, pero sí más de las que he visto antes y me encantó verlo. Hablé con muchas empresas que estaban explorando el mundo de la impresión 3D, especialmente con concreto y eso me fascinó. Quikrete se destacó por sus capacidades de impresión 3D con concreto y las creaciones que tenían en exhibición eran realmente impresionantes. Es brillante ver las innovaciones y lo que los contratistas llevarán de vuelta a casa después del evento y cómo la industria de la construcción sigue creciendo gracias a ferias como World of Concrete. 

Para nuestro equipo, World of Concrete fue inspirador de principio a fin: escuchar, aprender y amplificar las voces que están dando forma a lo que viene. 

¡Explora nuestra lista de videos en YouTube para obtener más información y consejos de expertos de la industria!

The Sealy site will manufacture the full range of Sika’s well-established Sarnafil® and Sikaplan® thermoplastic roof membranes. 

Sika, the world leading company in the development and production of systems and solutions for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing and protecting in the building sector and motor vehicle industry, has broken ground for a new state-of-the-art single-ply, thermoplastic roofing production plant, expected to be in operation in spring 2027.

This landmark investment marks a significant milestone in the history of Sika Corporation U.S. operations. The Sealy site will manufacture the full range of Sika’s well-established Sarnafil® and Sikaplan® thermoplastic roof membranes. The project will initially create just over 40 jobs in Austin County, with staffing to grow once full production shifts are in place. 

“This new investment into our roofing membrane manufacturing and supply chain footprint is a testament to our unwavering commitment to our leadership position in commercial roofing,” said Jim Walther, president and CEO, Sika Corporation USA, “This strategic decision strengthens Sika’s ability to deliver innovative and sustainable construction solutions for the demanding construction projects of our valued customers.”

Sika is partnering with the highest-quality single-ply equipment manufacturer to maintain their position in offering premium roofing membranes to the market. In addition, the new plant will further expand Sika’s existing roof “take-back” program. This unique, closed-loop roof recycling program celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025 and has taken back millions of pounds of end-of-life Sika roofing membranes and incorporated back into new roofing products. The new plant should help this recycling program impacts exponentially in the coming years. 

Sika’s investment in Texas supports the increasing demand and positions the company closer to major strategic metropolitan markets across the western and southern United States. The long-term strategy includes expanding commercial roofing material supply and extending Sika’s reach into our markets.

Sika Corporate Profile

Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a globally leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing and protection in the building sector and industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 102 countries around the world, produces in over 400 factories and develops innovative technologies for customers worldwide. In doing so, it plays a crucial role in enabling the transformation of the construction and transportation industries toward greater environmental compatibility. In 2025, Sika’s 33,700 employees generated annual sales of CHF 11.20 billion.

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Explore education sessions, networking events and trade show details for the 2026 IIBEC International Convention. 

As design requirements grow more complex and performance expectations rise, building enclosure professionals are looking for practical solutions backed by research, testing and real-world experience. The 2026 International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC) Convention and Trade Show, taking place March 12–15, 2026, at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento, California, brings those conversations together under one roof. 

Hosted by IIBEC, the event is expected to draw 1,700 consultants, architects, engineers, design professionals and other experts specializing in roofing, waterproofing, fenestration, cladding, building commissioning and exterior wall technologies. The convention features education sessions approved for IIBEC Continuing Education Hours (CEH), with all sessions submitted to the American Institute of Architects (AIA). 

The show runs March 13–14, with exhibit hall hours from 3:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on Friday and 8:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Attendees can connect with leading manufacturers and service providers while exploring the latest advancements in building enclosure technology. 

Education programming spans multiple disciplines, including below-grade waterproofing, building commissioning, business and professional development, codes and standards, exterior wall systems, research and technology, roofing, safety, sustainability and wind and structural design. Featured sessions address topics such as fire-resistant code standards, low-slope roofing enhancements for severe climate risks, trends in roof re-cover applications, condensation control in industrial roofing projects and hail impact testing of modified bitumen roof membranes. 

Beyond the classroom, the convention offers extensive networking opportunities. Thursday includes an auxiliary seminar (ALA) on reroofing and the RCI-IIBEC Foundations’ Golf Tournament at Haggin Oaks Alister MacKenzie Course, followed by a welcome reception that evening. Friday features an opening ceremony and keynote speaker, along with the trade show’s grand opening and reception. Saturday highlights include the Annual Awards Ceremony, EBEC Awards Presentations, the Emerging Professionals Reception and the invitation-only V.I.Platinum Reception. On Sunday, the RCI-IIBEC Foundations’ Live Auction and Reception precedes the President’s Annual Banquet. 

A range of registration options are available, including full registration, one-day passes, trade show-only access, auxiliary seminar-only registration and exhibitor packages. Early registration rates are available through February 6, 2026, with standard rates through March 6 and onsite registration beginning March 7. Full registration includes access to Friday through Sunday events, Thursday’s welcome reception and digital access to the event’s proceedings and session recordings when available. 

With Platinum Sponsors including Carlisle, Elevate™, Flynn Group of Companies, GAF, IB Roof Systems™, Johns Manville, National Gypsum Services Company, Polyglass USA Inc., Sika Corporation, Siplast, SITURA INC, SOPREMA and Versico, along with Gold, Silver and additional sponsors, the event reflects broad industry support. 

For professionals seeking technical depth, peer exchange and exposure to emerging trends in building enclosure performance, the 2026 IIBEC Convention and Trade Show offers a concentrated opportunity to prepare for the year ahead. 

Register now to secure your spot at this year’s convention!