By Emma Peterson. 

Explore the articles that generated the most interest this month. 

In the last month, over 250 articles have been published on RoofersCoffeeShop.com. That’s a lot of reading to keep up with, especially for busy contractors who are going between the office and the field. To make it easier to keep up, we’ve looked at those hundreds of articles and picked out the most popular ones to showcase.  

In this list, there are a couple of articles authored by Heidi J. Ellsworth, the president of The Coffee Shops™. In one article she highlights how the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) is expanding mental health support through suicide prevention training, made possible through a collaboration with LivingWorks. The other article dove into the importance of awards and recognition during the current artificial intelligence boom.  

Our friends over at Cotney Consulting Group also contributed a few articles on our top 10 list, including one about crystalline silica exposure and another about creating an operational preparedness plan to navigate the current global political environment.  

Our number one article of the month showcased FMI Corporation’s 2026 Q2 North America Construction and Engineering Outlook Report and was written by Emma Peterson, senior content developer for The Coffee Shops™. This was not the only article of Emma’s that made the list, as her articles about turning data into business strategies, taking on leadership roles and the development of the metal roof retrofit industry were also featured. 

July 2026’s top articles 

10 - Eagleview warns emergency managers: A below average hurricane season is not a safe season by Eagleview. 

9 - NRCA expands mental health support with free suicide prevention training by Heidi J. Ellsworth. 

8 - NRCA Gold Circle Awards: Why recognition matters more than ever in the age of AI by Heidi J. Ellsworth. 

7 - When global events reach the rooftop by John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. 

6 - Building the metal roof retrofit industry by Emma Peterson. 

5 - Finding opportunity in every position by Emma Peterson. 

4 - ARCA’s Lotería Night brings fun and connection to the roofing community by Alex Tolle. 

3 - Connecting the dots between data and strategy by Emma Peterson. 

2 - The silica citation nobody sees coming by Cotney Consulting Group. 

1 - Construction growth expected in the next year by Emma Peterson. 

By Alex Tolle.

Whether you are a longtime ARCA member, new to the association or simply looking for a fun evening with roofing industry peers, the 8th Annual Lotería Night offers a welcoming way to get involved.

The Arizona Roofing Contractors Association (ARCA) is bringing one of its most popular industry gatherings back to Mesa with the 8th Annual Lotería Night on Friday, August 14, 2026, at ATAS International. Designed as a casual, high-energy evening for roofing professionals, coworkers, customers, friends and family, this event offers contractors a chance to step away from the daily demands of the business and enjoy time with the people who help strengthen Arizona’s roofing community.

This year’s event adds a sports-themed twist to the traditional Lotería format. Attendees are encouraged to show their team spirit by wearing their favorite jersey, team colors, athletic gear or anything that represents a favorite sport. Whether someone is coming ready to compete or simply looking for a fun way to connect with others in the industry, the event is built around friendly competition, conversation and community.

The evening begins with check-in at 4:45 p.m., followed by food at 5 p.m. Lotería games will run from 6-8 p.m., giving players plenty of time to settle in, connect with others and enjoy the game-day atmosphere. The event includes three rounds of Lotería, with four games played during each round. Winners will receive cash prizes, with additional door prizes, drinks and surprises planned throughout the evening.

For contractors, events like Lotería Night provide an important opportunity to build relationships outside of the jobsite, office or trade show floor. Networking does not always have to happen in a formal setting. Sometimes the strongest connections are made over food, games and shared experiences with others who understand the roofing industry.

Tickets are $35 per player and space is limited to 60 players, making early registration important. ARCA is also encouraging members and supporters to help spread the word by sharing the event flyer with their teams, customers and office visitors. Sponsorship opportunities are available for companies interested in supporting the event, including food sponsors, beverage sponsors and door prize sponsors.

Register early, grab your spot and get ready to bring your team spirit to ARCA’s Lotería Night.

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

Bringing contractors, manufacturers and industry leaders together for a day of connection, innovation and opportunity. 

There are certain events on the calendar that the roofing community simply does not miss, and in Arizona, the Arizona Roofing Contractors Association (ARCA) Expo is one of them. Each year, it draws together the people, products and perspectives that are actively shaping the industry, creating a day where business growth and meaningful relationships take center stage. 

The 57th Annual ARCA Expo is set for Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Prescott Resort & Conference Center in Prescott, Arizona. With decades of history behind it, this event has built a strong reputation as a must-attend gathering for roofing professionals throughout the region. 

What continues to make the ARCA Expo so impactful is the way it effortlessly connects individuals from across every corner of the industry. Contractors have the opportunity to engage directly with manufacturers and suppliers, gaining firsthand insight into the products, services and technologies that are driving change. These conversations tend to move beyond introductions, often developing into lasting partnerships and new ways of doing business. 

That sense of connection carries throughout the day, as the environment encourages interaction in a natural and productive way. Attendees find themselves reconnecting with familiar faces while also expanding their network, and those conversations often lead to new ideas and opportunities. It is this blend of relationship building and forward-thinking discussion that strengthens not only individual businesses, but the industry as a whole. 

The educational component adds another layer of value, with industry experts leading seminars focused on current trends, best practices and the challenges contractors are facing today. The ability to move between these sessions and conversations on the show floor creates a more dynamic experience, allowing attendees to immediately connect insight with real-world application. 

At the same time, the ARCA Expo maintains an energy that keeps people engaged from start to finish. Product demonstrations and interactive exhibitor experiences add a sense of momentum throughout the day, creating an atmosphere that is both informative and enjoyable. This balance helps ensure that attendees leave not only with new knowledge, but with a renewed sense of where the industry is headed. 

For companies looking to increase visibility, the expo offers a highly focused opportunity to connect with roofing professionals who are actively seeking solutions. Being present on the show floor allows businesses to showcase their offerings in a setting that encourages conversation, discovery and relationship building. 

As contractors continue to explore new technologies and expand into adjacent markets, events like the ARCA Expo play an essential role in keeping the industry connected and moving forward. They provide a place where ideas come together, partnerships are strengthened and the future of roofing continues to take shape. 

To be part of Arizona’s premier roofing industry event, visit the ARCA website to learn more and register today. 

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

ARCA and NRCA training helps roofing foremen and supervisors build practical leadership skills. 

There is a growing recognition across the roofing industry that leadership development cannot wait until someone reaches the executive level. It has to start in the field, where foremen and supervisors are guiding crews as well asinfluencing culture and jobsite performance every day. A training opportunity from the Arizona Roofing Contractors Association (ARCA) and the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) is putting that belief into action with a focused, practical approach to field leadership.

The NRCA Field Leadership Training Level 1 program is designed to meet roofing companies where they are, equipping field managers with the skills they need to lead more effectively right now. This one-day training isn’t theoretical. It is built around real-world applications, helping participants immediately strengthen communication along with improving productivity and stronger, more accountable teams. 

What makes this training especially relevant is its focus on the daily challenges facing field leaders. Communication gaps, misaligned expectations and unresolved conflict can quickly impact both morale and project outcomes. By addressing leadership styles, team engagement and conflict-resolution strategies, the program gives foremen and supervisors tools they can use the moment they return to the jobsite. 

The training, scheduled for July 10, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona, also brings together respected industry experts who understand the realities of roofing. Participants will learn from professionals such as Amy Staska, vice president of NRCA University, and Jon Goodman, an NRCA subject matter expert, former roofing contractor and ProCertification® assessor. Their combined experience in workforce development and contractor education ensures the content is grounded in what truly works in the field. 

For companies looking to take the next step, this program can be paired with NRCA’s Foreman Management Training, held the day prior. That course expands into broader job management concepts including safety, customer service, quality, productivity and profitability, giving participants a more complete perspective on how their decisions affect project success. 

Opportunities like this highlight an important shift happening across the industry. Contractors are realizing that investing in people is just as critical as investing in equipment or materials. Strong leadership at the field level improves not only project outcomes but also retention. 

For contractors and companies focused on building the next generation of leaders, programs like NRCA’s Field Leadership Training are more than a class. They are a strategic investment in the future of their teams and their business. If you are looking to strengthen leadership from the ground up, now is the time to take action. Explore the training, and engage your future leaders.  It is a commitment to invest in their success. The strongest companies are built on strong leaders in the field. 

To register visit www.azroofing.org/events. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Roofing associations nationwide are sharing their time and resources to support their communities and the future of the industry. 

Whether you are shopping for gifts, trying to get together with family or just wrapping up loose ends from 2025, the winter holiday season is a busy time. But we wanted to take a moment to pause and highlight how some people are giving back during this busy time. In no particular order, here are six stories of industry associations coming together this December to build up their communities by giving back. 

1 – Arizona Roofing Contractor Association (ARCA) 

The ARCA closed out their year of giving with their annual holiday party on December 10, 2025. The party, which was hosted at Fate Brewery from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., was in support of their Roofers Giving Back initiatives. These initiatives benefit: 

• Home of Hope: The ARCA Young Professionals group is gathering unwrapped gifts or monetary donations to purchase gifts this December for children at Home of Hope! 
• Youth On Their Own: The Tucson Bowling Committee is spending the month collecting non-perishable food items for the Youth On Their Own organization. 
• AZ Cancer Foundation: And Arizona Women in Roofing is collecting donations to support their efforts to purchase toys for the children at the AZ Cancer Foundation.  

If you want to donate to any of these causes, visit azroofing.org. For more information, call 602-335-0133. 

2 – Metal Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) 

Interested in advancing education, research and the future of the roofing industry? Consider supporting the MRCA Foundation! This foundation was created to raise awareness and improve the roofing industry by “supporting educational programming, industry research and industry-related academic scholarships.” 

Learn more about the foundation and donate to support their work! 

3 – The Associated Roofing Contractors of Oregon and SW Washington (ARC) 

This was the third year that the ARC gathered for a Christmas Dinner and Auction! Hosted on December 6 at the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel, this night was not only a fun gathering but a fundraiser for Fort Kennedy.  

Fort Kennedy is a nonprofit that provides food, clothing and other essential resources to homeless and low-income veterans in Oregon and Washington. Their mission is simple, “To enable all veterans to move forward in their lives after military service [by providing] transitional housing and shelter, ensure access to employment, family counseling and benefits.” 

Learn more about ARCOSWW and about Fort Kennedy.  

4 – Utah Roofing Contractors Association (URCA) 

A few states over, URCA also hosted a holiday party on December 5. Held at the PierPont Place, it was a casino royale themed party complete with blackjack, delicious food and a dazzling raffle. And like the other associations we’ve been highlighting, it was all for a good cause! URCA’s 2025 holiday party supported JustaBreak.org, a Utah-based nonprofit that gives cancer patients and caregivers joyful getaways to help bring them joy during their treatments.  

Learn more about URCA and learn more about JustaBreak.org. 

5 – International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC) 

For 2025 Giving Tuesday (the Tuesday following Thanksgiving), IIBEC set out to raise money for their foundations, RCI-IIBEC Foundation (US) and RCI Foundation Canada (Canada). These foundations aim to better the industry and help move towards safer, more secure building enclosures in many different ways, including:  

• Industry-leading research: Support for these foundations supports research efforts that move the industry forward.  
• Funding publications: These foundations manage the publication of many key publications, like the 5th edition of Wind Uplift Pressures on Low-Slope Roofs. 
• Collaborative work: Because of the support they get, these foundations can collaborate with other organizations, like the Charles Pankow Foundation, to combine efforts for improving the state of the industry. 

If you’re interested in supporting IIBEC’s foundations, contact Rick Gardner, foundations development officer, at rgardner@iibec.org. 

6 – National Frame Builders Association (NFBA) 

NFBA also has a charity organization that you can support! The NFBA Foundation works specifically to strengthen the future of the post-frame building industry. One of their biggest initiatives is their scholarship program, which opens doors for students who are current employees of NFBA member companies or family members of those current employees pursuing higher education fields that support construction and the post-frame profession. 

In addition to this, the NFBA Foundation also supports key training programs and research initiatives around the industry, such as the new edition of the NFBA Post Frame Building Design Manual.  

Donate to the NFBA Foundation and support the future of post-frame building! 

By The Coffee Shops™.

Arizona roofers are giving back to their communities this holiday season. 

The holiday season is a time to slow down, come together and remember what truly matters. For the Arizona Roofing Contractors Association (ARCA), that means lifting up our communities and supporting those who need it most. This December ARCA members, their families and friends, are gathering not only to celebrate but also to give back in meaningful ways through their annual Roofers Giving Back initiative.

Across the state, many families and young people face challenges that can make the holidays feel overwhelming. ARCA is proud to help make the season brighter by supporting two organizations that are making a direct difference in the lives of Arizona children and youth.

The ARCA Young Professionals are collecting unwrapped gifts and monetary donations for Home of Hope, helping ensure children in crisis receive care, comfort and joy during the holidays. A small gift can mean the world to a child who needs to feel seen, supported and valued. Members can bring gifts to the holiday celebration or donate to the cause directly.

Meanwhile, the Tucson Bowling Committee is organizing a donation drive for Youth On Their Own (YOTO), a nonprofit that supports local youth experiencing homelessness. This season, non-perishable food items and daily essentials can go a long way in giving teens stability, dignity and hope. Together, we can help ensure no young person goes hungry or feels alone this winter.

Along with giving back, ARCA’s Holiday Party is the perfect chance to have fun, celebrate a year of hard work and enjoy time with others in the roofing community. The holiday party is open to both ARCA members and non-members, making it a great opportunity to bring colleagues, friends and future industry leaders.

By attending or donating, you help strengthen our industry’s long-standing tradition of service, generosity and community spirit. Together, we can show what it truly means to be roofers who care.

By Arizona Roofing Contractors Association.

Plan your trip to the 56th Annual Arizona Roofing Expo with this guide to the educational seminars!  

The Arizona Roofing Contractors Association (ARCA)’s will be hosting the 56th Annual Arizona Roofing Expo at Little America Hotel in Flagstaff from September 11, 2025 to September 13, 2025 — the only roofing expo and tradeshow in Arizona! This is great opportunity to connect with industry professionals, attend exclusive educational seminars, score incredible deals at the Roofers' Auction (featuring over $40,000 in roofing materials), compete in sporting events and so much more! With so much happening, it's helpful to plan your schedule ahead. To help, we've compiled a quick guide to the educational seminars that will be happening on Saturday, September 13. 

The difference between quality control and quality assurance

Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. | Agassiz Room
Presented by Bryan Hill, WRECORP

Quality assurance inspections, conducted by a third-party representative on behalf of the building owner, ensure compliance with construction contracts, manufacturer guidelines and industry standards. Contractors perform Quality Control inspections to meet the same requirements while also managing safety protocols and maintaining the roof’s watertight integrity during installation. Attendees will learn about the procedures for both assurance and control across common roofing systems used in Arizona.

Year over year sustainable safety culture

Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. | Aspen Room
Presented by Jessie Atencio, Premier Risk Management

This seminar is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, strategies and tools to build and sustain a safety culture within their organizations while fostering continuous improvement year over year. Attendees will explore the principles of workplace safety, organizational behavior and change management. Topics include leadership commitment, employee engagement, risk assessment, data-driven safety metrics and strategies for long-term workplace transformation.

From roofer to CEO: How to build a profitable, scalable roofing company

Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Spruce Room
Presented by Luke Boyenger, Cruzumi CFO & Advisory

Tired of wondering where all the money goes, even when jobs are rolling in? In this high-impact session, you’ll learn how to take control of your numbers, stop the profit leaks and scale with confidence. Led by Luke Boyenger, the CEO of a fractional CFO firm that specializes in construction companies, this seminar will show you what’s really holding your business back — and how to fix it. If you’re ready to stop running your business from the bank account and start thinking like a true CEO, don’t miss this.

Visualize. Lead. Build: How mental reps drive real-world results

Saturday, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Ponderosa Room
Presented by Melissa Chapman, The Glo Group

Discover how to harness the science of mindset in this transformative session. Learn why your brain believes what you visualize, how focus sharpens awareness and how mental rehearsal builds real confidence. Explore the powerful connection between belief and behavior and how emotions anchor lasting change. Leave with practical strategies to put these principles into action and elevate your personal and professional performance.

If you haven't already, make sure to register for the ARCA’s 56th Annual Arizona Roofing Expo!

Plan on joining us for the ARCA Expo on September 30-October 2, 2021.

Dear Members & Supporters of the Roofing Industry,

The ARCA Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to call off ARCA’s 51st Annual Expo scheduled for September 24-26, 2020 at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Resort in Maricopa, Arizona due to the current and future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As important as this Expo is to all of us, your safety and well-being is paramount to ARCA. 

The Expo Co-Chairs and ARCA staff are working out all the details and will be hosting a virtual Roofers’ Auction (donations are being accepted until September 10) and various educational webinars. If you are an Associate Member and would be interested in facilitating a webinar please contact the ARCA office.

We are still moving forward with the golf tournament on Friday, September 25 at the Southern Dunes Golf Course. The Golf Committee members have been working closely with the golf course to follow CDC guidelines while hosting a successful event. If you have not registered to play golf, there are a handful of spots remaining. In addition, the Sporting Clays Co-Chairs are working on securing an alternate date and location for the Fall event supporting the ARIF scholarship program. If you are registered for Clays, details will be hitting your inbox soon!

ARCA will not be rescheduling the Expo in 2020. However, anticipating that all virus concerns will be resolved next year, please plan on joining us for the ARCA Expo on September 30-October 2, 2021 at Little America in Flagstaff, Arizona so keep an eye out for that information as it becomes available.

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino & Resort will automatically be cancelling all existing hotel room reservations that were made inside the ARCA Room Block so there is no need for you to call the resort directly. If you registered for events and haven't paid to date we will be voiding the invoices and if you have paid and prefer ARCA to issue a complete refund, please contact Jennifer George at jgeorge@azroofing.org.

Thank you for your continued support of and participation in ARCA. Stay strong, safe and healthy!

Sincerely,
--Russel Hyman
ARCA President

Learn more about ARCA and becoming a member.

Editor's note: The following is a COVID-19 update from ARCA.

Governor Doug Ducey held a press conference recently to announce updated COVID-19 guidance aimed at preventing spread.

Ducey announced that local governments may now implement mask/face covering policies as well as determine enforcement for these policies. As you may remember, Governor Ducey's previous executive orders prevented cities from superseding any state wide orders. This new flexibility for local governments is only extended to cover policies requiring face masks and face coverings.

The Mayors of Phoenix, Tucson, Tolleson, Flagstaff and many more have previously requested this flexibility. It is safe to assume that certain cities will likely pursue this newfound authority.

Governor Ducey also announced that the Arizona Department of Health Services has issued enhanced guidance for establishments to limit the number of people in congregations. These guidelines will be subject to enforcement. The guidance issued today by ADHS requires specific health measures be taken by establishments, including:

• Physically distancing of 6 feet;

• Providing employees with face-coverings and requiring usage;

• Conducting symptom checks for all employees before shifts;

• Requiring sick employees to stay home; and

• Increasing the frequency of employee hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting.

Again, we will continue to keep you updated as we learn more.

If you have any questions or need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Learn more about ARCA and becoming a member.