National Women in Roofing (NWiR) is promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) along with celebrating first-time attendees during its 5th Annual NWiR Day.
The annual one-day event, scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 30 in New Orleans, is the premier conference for multidisciplinary women professionals in the roofing industry to get together to learn about the latest business strategies and tactics and share their secrets to success.
This year's program begins at 9 am and end 5:45 p.m., with a fun evening activity to take place immediately afterwards. The first 340 attendees will also receive a swag bag of gifts from NWiR sponsors. NWiR Day is held in conjunction with the International Roofing Expo (IRE), sponsored by the National Roofing Contractors Association.
"Planning for NWiR Day 2022 has been underway since June 2021 and we are so relieved to be able to gather together in person again,” said Renae Bales, vice president at KPost Roofing &Waterproofing and chair of the NWiR executive committee.
Sessions cover topics including business development, communications, career development, mentoring, recruitment, roofing technology advancements, and of course, networking. This program is intended to foster conversation and learning, and will include a light breakfast, lunch, snacks, and the evening activity. Many of the sessions will focus on encouraging diversity in the workplace.
“The members and sponsors of National Women in Roofing understand that in order for the roofing industry to move forward and remain competitive for today’s labor force, they need to move beyond issuing benign statements of support for diversity and actually do something," said Ellen Thorp, NWiR executive director. "Several of the sessions at NWiR Day touch on this important issue of DEI action, along with traditional business development and professional development sessions."
In preparation for NWiR Day, the NWiR Mentoring Committee continued its N.E.W.S. (Network of Educating Women Scholarship) Conference Attendee Program. With over 20 applicants, four women have been selected to receive a NWiR mentor, sponsored travel expenses, and registration fees to NWiR Day and the IRE.
“We are thrilled with the caliber of these roofing contractors who are also first-time attendees to NWiR Day and the IRE.” A list of the NEWS recipients is available on the NWiR website," said Kelley Caron, channel manager at OMG; and member of the NWiR board of directors and chair of the mentoring committee.
A highlight of the NWiR Day program is the announcement of the award winners. The WORLD Awards honor women in the roofing industry who have demonstrated service to NWiR. The WORLD Veteran Award is to honor roofing professionals who have exhibited outstanding commitment and leadership in the roofing industry and to NWiR; and the WORLD Rising Star Award is to recognize the achievements of emerging talent in the roofing industry and NWiR who represent the next generation of leaders.
New in 2022 is the addition of activities on the day after NWiR Day. On Jan. 30, the DEI Committee has organized "Books, Balance and Brunch" events, which will offer an additional opportunity for connections among women, hold time to enlighten mind and body, and nourish with food and fellowship.
“Registration is open for NWiR Day 2022. We are very excited about our registration numbers so far (they’ve exceeded our initial projections) and hope to see many of our NWiR Founding Members as well as new members in late January in New Orleans” said Thorp.
Registration and more information is available at NWiRDay.org
