NRCA Announces 117th Annual Convention
The National Roofing Contractors Association, Rosemont, Ill., will hold its 117th Annual Convention and Exhibit, “Progress Through Partnership, ” Feb. 22-25, 2004, in San Diego at the San Diego Convention Center. Known as the largest roofing convention in the United States, the show will attract more than 7,000 attendees and 350 exhibiting companies from around the world.Highlighting the week’s festivities are two well-known speakers. Bill O’Reilly, anchor of FOX News Channel’s “The O’Reilly Factor,” will speak at the opening luncheon — sponsored by Denver-based Johns Manville Roofing Systems — on Monday, Feb. 23. In addition, marketing-expert Harry Beckwith will speak at the CNA-sponsored Member Breakfast on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Convention registration materials will be made available in early October. For more information, contact NRCA’s Meetings and Convention Department at 847.299.9070 or 800.323.9545; or visit NRCA’s Web site at www.nrca.net.
NRCA Announces Call for Exhibitor Excellence Entries
NRCA has announced a call for entries for its 2004 Exhibitor Excellence Awards program. The new program honors excellence and innovation embodied by companies exhibiting at NRCA’s 117th Annual Convention and Trade Show. Awards will be presented in four categories: most innovative new product, service or program; most effective marketing program; best product, service or program that contributes to safety in the roofing industry; and most customer-friendly product, service or program.Exhibitors can nominate themselves or be nominated by any NRCA member in all four categories. Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 1, and judging will be conducted by NRCA’s executive committee in January 2004. Winners will be notified in late January and announced during the convention’s opening luncheon.
For an official entry form and more information about the awards, visit www.nrca.net, or contact Chris DeLuise, NRCA’s advertising and exhibits sales manager, at 800.323.9545 or 847.299.9070, ext. 7530; or e-mail cdeluise@nrca.net.
NRCA Announces Call for Design Award Entries
NRCA has announced a call for entries for its 2004 Excellence in Design Awards program. The new program honors energy-efficient and environmentally friendly designed roof systems that have been designed according to accepted industry practices and are expected to last for a long period of time. Architects, specifiers, roof consultants and roofing contractors who are responsible for the design of a nominated roof system are eligible for the competition. Nominated roof systems must have been designed and installed after Jan. 1, 2001. Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 12, and judging will be conducted by a panel of roofing industry experts selected by NRCA.Up to five finalists will be selected Jan. 1, 2004, to receive complimentary airfare, one night’s lodging and full registration to NRCA’s 117th Annual Convention and Trade Show. A winner will be announced during the opening luncheon. The winner will receive a $2,500 cash prize, publicity during a press conference at the convention, and acknowledgements in NRCA publications.
For an official entry form and more information about the awards, visit www.nrca.net or contact Ambika Puniani, NRCA’s director of communications, at 800. 323.9545 or 847.299.9070, ext. 7555; or e-mail apuniani@nrca.net.
NRF Announces Fellowship Award Call for Entries
The National Roofing Foundation, a separate but related educational and research organization of the NRCA, has announced a call for entries for its William C. Cullen Fellowship Award. The annual fellowship was created to honor late NRCA research associate William C. Cullen and awards an $8,000 grant to an individual or research organization to support research relating specifically to the advancement of roofing technology. Research project types are intentionally undefined to allow for consideration of a broad range of projects.The award will be presented at the annual installation dinner held during NRCA’s midyear meetings, July 14-17, 2004, in Chicago. The recipient will receive a recognition plaque and paid travel and lodging related to the award presentation. Nominations must be received by March 1, 2004.
For more information about the award or for application information, contact Chris Seidel, NRF’s executive director, at 847.299.9070, ext. 7564; e-mail cseidel@nrca.net; or visit www.nrca.net.
Contractors Help Find Missing Kids
News outlets provide daily reports about children who have been abducted from playgrounds, parking lots and their own beds. And recently, Elizabeth Smart, whose abduction made national headlines for weeks, was found and safely returned home. The media focus on the plight of missing and exploited children in the United States has alerted the public to the issue of finding these children as soon as possible.To do its part in finding missing children, NRCA partnered with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) through the Project Recovery campaign in November 2001. The campaign involves placing 18- by 24-inch or 18- by 12-inch magnetic posters of missing children on roofing contractors’ service vehicles. According to NCMEC, one child in six is found when someone recognizes his or her photo and notifies authorities. The posters, which are designed by NRCA, include a photograph of the child and biographical and contact information. Once a child has been located, a “FOUND” sticker is sent to place over the poster, which alerts a community to the program’s success.
Since Project Recovery’s inception, it has helped locate more than 20 missing children from Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Texas. Now, NRCA is asking for your support of Project Recovery to help expand its reach to new areas. You may choose to make a donation, pay a $30 flat rate per poster or become a sponsor. To become part of Project Recovery or receive more information, contact Christina Koch, NRCA’s manager of public relations, at 847.299.9070, ext. 7531; or e-mail ckoch@nrca.net.
