Roofing contractors and other industry stakeholders from around North America will converge on familiar turf next month when the 2021 Best of Success conference returns for an in-person event at The Omni Frisco Star in greater Dallas.
The facility, adjacent to the headquarters of the National Football League’s Dallas Cowboys, hosted the 2018 Best of Success to a then-record audience representing many of the best roofing companies on the continent. With in-person events like the Florida Roofing Expo and International Roofing Expo drawing contractors back to trade shows in different parts of the U.S., organizers said the timing couldn’t be better to focus on getting the industry together again.
“We’re so excited to have the opportunity to bring the roofing industry back together at a first-class destination like The Star,” said RC Publisher Jill Bloom. “We know people across the industry are eager to be back in person and to put a real focus on getting back to business, and this is a great location for our wide range of presenters to do just that.”
As it has for 15 years prior to the pandemic, the intensive, two-day experience will again feature proven roofing contractors from the commercial and residential markets willing to share their successes — and failures. It’s designed to help roofing contractors of all levels of experience run their business as they navigate the top issues impacting the industry today, including workforce, material shortages, regulations, technology and more. As in past years, several sessions will be available virtually on-demand for those who can’t attend in person via the Broadcast Live platform.
Among them will be a highly-anticipated presentation by RC 2020 Residential Roofing Contractor of the Year Letitia Hanke, owner of ARS Roofing, Gutters & Solar in Santa Rosa, Calif. Her presentation covers a pivotal moment in the veteran roofing contractor’s life that changed her career trajectory. Hanke also said she’ll cover some practical applications of what she’s learned along the way for other roofing contractors to try at home.
“I’m looking forward to talking about some branding ideas that have worked really well for me, as well as employee retention and workforce development,” said Hanke. “I think contractors could always hear about things that other successful companies are doing. I love sharing this information as I think it benefits everyone. I always take away some idea to implement when I go to conventions.”
Something for Everyone
Highlights from this year’s program also include managing dynamics in a family business, exploring new sales strategies, and maximizing digital tools and online reviews.
“When you think about this concept of always improving, Best of Success is a great way to meet people in the industry that are doing creative things that you can then adopt and improve your own organization,” said perennial attendee Ken Kelly, president of Kelly Roofing, the 2019 Residential Roofing Contractor of the Year. “I’m always open-eared and always asking questions, so that we can take those nuggets of information back and improve our own company.”
Bloom also noted that the consistent feedback from attendees shows Roofing Contractor’s signature, annual event continues to draw the best talent the roofing industry has to offer for unparalleled networking opportunities.
“The roofing contractors that attend consistently tell us it’s the best roofing event when it comes to networking with other contractors because their guard is down,” she said. “You don’t have to worry about competition because everyone is there learning about what they may want to try, or maybe want to avoid, when strategizing the future of their roofing business.”
It was a strange but refreshing environment for competitive entrepreneurs to walk into.
“I remember my first BOS I was like a kid in a candy store,” said Ryan Groth, founder and CEO of Sales Transformation Group. “The quality of the contractor and the conversations will still resonate with me today. That's why I keep coming back.”
Groth will also present from the stage again this year, focusing on how contractors can double their close rates.
“This presentation will show unique insights that will hopefully motivate the industry to know their numbers and empower them to pull the levers of their business, resulting in more net profits and increased predictability,” he said.
This year’s presentations will also cover some non-traditional BOS territory, such as establishing the right credit programs, guerrilla marketing tactics and diversifying revenue streams from the public and private sector.
“I’m speaking on how to find and utilize money for training in the skilled trades,” said first-time BOS presenter Sherri Miles, president, Miles Roofing, Inc., and co-founder, META Team. “I’m a huge proponent of education and uplifting the professionalism of our industry. I’ve found some programs that tap into various government funding and reimbursements for identifying a new pipeline of next generation workers from atypical sources, and have paired funding for skilling up these employees and introducing them to construction.”
Also on the schedule are RC’s annual awarding of the residential and commercial Contractors of the Year, and the Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) Innovator of the Year.
Roofing Contractor is working with the Omni Hotel to ensure the event will prioritize the health and safety of its guests. Located less than 25 minutes away from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport, the Omni Frisco Hotel is a modern cornerstone that reflects the culture and energy of thriving North Texas. The hotel is directly next to The Star, the world headquarters and home of the Dallas Cowboys.
For more information about Best of Success and to register, visit www.bestofsuccessconference.com.
