The International Roofing Expo (IRE), North America’s largest roofing and exteriors event, convened more than 600 exhibitors from over 15 countries and nearly 16,000 industry professionals over three days, from February 19 to 21 at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio.
The event attracts professionals such as contractors, remodelers, builders, distributors, architects, engineers, and manufacturers. ABC Supply, GAF, SRS Distribution, Polyglass, Beacon, OMG Roofing, and Tesla Energy were among the top recognized exhibiting brands across more than 18,581 m2 (200,000 sf) of exhibitor space, the largest show space in the event’s history.
This year’s expo floor was a hub of creativity, featuring cutting-edge products and technologies poised to transform the roofing and exterior landscape. Top new solutions included sustainable roofing materials, advanced solar integration solutions, AI-powered project management tools, drone technology for roof inspections, preventative worker safety tools, and weather-resistant durable solutions.
The Innovative Product Showcase and Awards Program displayed the materials, products, and services competing for the People’s Choice and Expert’s Choice Awards. The contest winners will be announced on March 12, and voting will close on March 7.
Conference education programming covered 47 sessions on various topics such as business development, communications, career development, mentoring, recruitment, and roofing technology. Show floor education hubs also offered hands-on demos on exterior installation, metal roofing, roof flashing, and single-ply roofing. The Exteriors Pavilion hosted education, building clinics, and exhibit space dedicated to residential exterior projects and products, empowering business owners to expand their product and service offerings.
Recognizing the Hispanic community’s significant contributions to the roofing industry, IRE utilized a new technology to translate and transcribe the keynote address, the entire conference program, and all four show floor demonstration clinics into Spanish.
“IRE is the cornerstone for the roofing and exteriors business. The emphasis on community, learning, and nurturing emerging talents reflects our commitment to addressing the sector’s current needs and future challenges,” says Rich Russo, group event director for Informa Markets and the International Roofing Expo. “The growth the market is experiencing and the enthusiasm we have seen over these three days reflects the industry’s resilience and entrepreneurial spirit.”
This year, organizers placed a special focus on beginners in roofing, aligning with the sector’s pressing needs to bridge the labor gap for skilled professionals. The Roofing Alliance hosted its 11th edition of the Construction Management Student Competition, gathering six teams of university students from Auburn University, Bradley University, Cal Poly, Clemson University, University of North University, and Texas A&M University to present a project testing construction management skills and roofing knowledge. Students connect on-site with manufacturers, laborers, business owners, and solution providers, fostering collaboration and development to prepare workers for future challenges and opportunities.
Highlighting the industry’s collective spirit of social responsibility, the 16th annual Community Service Day, sponsored by Sika in partnership with Rebuilding Together San Antonio & Austin, 30 professionals volunteered to repair the homes of local pastor Tim Adams and his family. The volunteers contributed landscaping, fence, soffit and fascia repair, deck construction, and a new roof installation, with donations from Fry Roofing and GAF.
Research from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the construction industry has the second-highest suicide rate of all major industries in the United States. Non-profit organization Roofers in Recovery—one of the show’s exhibitors—empowers people in need to stabilize and improve worker’s lives through treatment programs.
“There is no connection like an in-person face-to-face meeting, where you can actually establish a relationship with someone. IRE is the place to make those connections. If you are considering attending or exhibiting, absolutely make that call. Come to the IRE,” says Keenan Perry, director of field and event marketing at SRS Distribution. “If someone were asking me if I would exhibit, I would absolutely say, come exhibit. Learn about what people’s needs are. It will help you grow your business. This is the show to go to. Our experience at the 2025 IRE has been the best I have seen in my five years of exhibiting here at the show and cannot wait for next year.”
The International Roofing Expo returns to Las Vegas next year at the Las Vegas Convention Center in the West Hall, January 20-22, 2026.
