Rosemont, Ill. — The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress will host four finalist teams to compete in the finals of the fourth annual Construction Management Student Competition at the 2018 International Roofing Expo® (IRE) in New Orleans.

The four teams presenting in New Orleans are Auburn University — McWhorter School of Building Sciences, Auburn, Ala; Department of Construction Management at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo.; Bert S. Turner Department of Construction Management at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La.; and M.E. Rinker Sr. School of Building Construction at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.

The finalists were chosen from seven teams from undergraduate universities across the U.S. who submitted written proposals to competition judges, and will give their oral presentation to a panel of judges in New Orleans on Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 8 10:30 a.m. at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

In addition to providing a significant learning opportunity, the Alliance's 2018 Construction Management Student Competition fosters an environment meant to bring out the best in each team, encourage dialogue among the students and foster team spirit.

Teams were tasked with creating a company to bid on installing a roof system on the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans. Each team was required to research the project, review the plans and specifications, and assemble a full estimate and proposal to submit a qualified bid package.

The winning teams will be announced during NRCA's Industry Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Reception Feb. 7. The first-place team will receive a team trophy, a $5,000 L.B. Conway scholarship for their school and individual awards. The second-place team will receive a team trophy, a $2,500 scholarship for their school and individual awards. The Best Individual Student Presenter will be selected from any of the finalist teams and will receive an iPad.