In this MetalTalk ™, Karen Edwards is joined by TRA Snow and Sun’s Business Development Manager, Mindy Dahlquist, and Technical Director, Lane Gardner, as they pull back the curtain on how today’s snow retention systems are engineered, tested and refined for real-world performance on metal roofs. TRA Snow & Sun walks contractors, builders and manufacturers through the fast-moving world of product development, from field feedback and manufacturer partnerships to smarter designs that install faster and hold stronger. It’s a look at the innovation shaping safer, more reliable roof systems across the industry. 

Listen to the MetalTalk.

Watch the MetalTalk.

By Jenny Yu.  

Mindy Dahlquist of TRA Snow and Sun shares how and why to bring young people into the industry. 

Everyone’s career journey has to start somewhere, and no one does it all on their own. For Mindy Dahlquist, business development manager at TRA Snow and Sun, her journey started in trade school and developed with the aid and support of experienced adults in the field. 

“My entire goal with trade school was to have some type of license or certificate to make sure that when I walked out of school, I wasn’t going to be homeless,” Mindy shared in this episode of Roofing Road Trips^®. But attending trade school was not enough by itself. “I needed guidance and help, so having an adult come into that school and dedicate their time was so important. It gave me an introduction, an entrance as soon as I left the vocational school.” 

Now, Mindy is a champion for young roofers and the volunteers who give their time to usher the next generation into the industry. TRA Snow and Sun works with the Let’s Build Construction Careers Camp (LBCC) for girls, a hands-on learning experience that introduces middle- and high-school-aged girls to the trades. Volunteering, as it turns out, is a win-win situation. It provides needed guidance for the youth while also creating a cohort of competent, confident individuals ready to enter the field. 

“There is such a large number of people who are retiring in this industry. If we are not replacing these people early, how are they going to learn from the masters?” Mindy posed. “Find these young students who are already in trade schools and get them involved in your business early so once they graduate, they know the terminology. They’re ready. They’ve been standing at that starting line, ready to take off running.” 

Furthermore, sharing your knowledge with people who need it is a rewarding act in itself. “We all want to have purpose in our lives. Being able to provide that purpose and mentor [young people] is amazing,” Mindy expressed.  

For contractors who are concerned about the future of the industry, put your time where it’s most fruitful: getting involved with your local vocational school and offering your time, expertise, wisdom and materials to help prepare the next generation. “Once you get somewhere worth being, turn around and give somebody a hand as they take that step up,” Mindy said. She also shared a message for the up-and-comers: “Do not avoid the older generations. Go out of your way to get to know them, ask questions and be interested.” 

Read the previous article in this series or Listen to the podcast to learn about more ways to get involved in your local community and build the next generation of roofers.  

By Jenny Yu.  

This spring, TRA Snow & Sun’s 3rd Annual Snow Retention Educational Seminar offers expert-led sessions on snow management solutions for modern roofing systems.  

Roofing professionals looking to expand their expertise in cold-climate performance and safety have an exciting educational opportunity this spring! On Thursday, April 9, 2026, TRA Snow & Sun is hosting th 3rd Annual Snow Retention Educational Seminar at the AGC of Utah Training Center in West Valley City, Utah.  

Open to all industry professionals, this free event is designed to provide practical insights into the design, application and installation of snow retention systems. With increasing awareness around the risks associated with snow and ice movement on roofs, events like this are becoming essential for contractors working in regions impacted by winter weather. 

The program begins with check-in at 9:00 a.m., followed by an educational session starting at 9:30 a.m. Attendees will hear from industry experts on key topics including engineering and design considerations, snow brackets, clamp-on snow fences and deck-mounted snow fence systems. The session will also highlight new products and ongoing development in snow retention technology. 

A complimentary lunch will be provided at noon, offering attendees time to network with peers and discuss real-world applications. The afternoon session will focus on installation techniques and include an open question-and-answer segment, giving contractors the chance to address specific project challenges and gain hands-on insights. 

The seminar will emphasize the importance of engineered snow retention systems in managing snow loads and preventing hazardous conditions such as rooftop avalanches. Attendees can expect to leave with a deeper understanding of best practices across different roof types and how to implement solutions that enhance both safety and performance. 

With no registration fee and a full agenda of technical education, the event offers strong value for contractors, architects and building professionals alike. 

To learn more and secure your spot, register for the Snow Retention Educational Seminar today!

By Jenny Yu.  

TRA Snow and Sun leaders discuss product design and the push for industry standards. 

In this MetalTalk™, Karen Edwards spoke with TRA Snow and Sun’s Business Development Manager Mindy Dahlquist and Technical Director Lane Gardner about how collaboration and testing are shaping the future of snow retention systems.  

For Mindy, field feedback is central to product development. “When receiving feedback, we ask, ‘What can we do better? How can we make the contractor's life easier? How can we make installation faster so they’re saving money on labor costs?’” Mindy shared. “The best thing is the open dialogue we have with manufacturers, architects and contractors. It’s the best type of situation we could ask for.” 

Lane agreed, explaining that early collaboration with manufacturers allows TRA to move quickly from concept to finished product. “The advantage in partnering early with manufacturers is that we can do early prototypes, modify them and create something quickly. We can do all those tweaks, the custom machining, the design,” Lane described, noting the gratification that comes with creating something from paper napkin drawings to real life. “It feels so good to have that go from a sketch through all those iterations, hold it in your hand, give it to the customer and receive positive feedback from them.” 

Beyond product design, Mindy and Lane addressed the exciting opportunity to create standardized codes for snow retention. “Industry-wide, there's not a set standard or code,” Lane explained. “We are part of a group that is working to develop some standards for testing snow retention systems. It’s really neat to have that opportunity on that ground floor level. We’ve been in the industry for multiple decades and working through that.” 

The lack of codes and standards relating to snow retention currently allows manufacturers to make systems however they want, with no requirements. This allows installers to install wherever and however while the liability of incidents push back to those involved with the build, including architects, owners, roofing contractors, etc. It’s important to protect yourself and your company while dealing with inadequate systems, such as plastic snow brackets.  

Read the first article in this series, Listen to the podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about how TRA Snow and Sun continues to prioritize collaboration, testing and proactive design.

By Jenny Yu.  

Industry experts explain how snow retention technology is evolving to improve safety and roof performance. 

Safety has always been the primary reason for snow retention systems, but evolving roof materials and weather patterns are increasing awareness of their importance across the country.  

In a recent MetalTalk™, Karen Edwards spoke with TRA Snow and Sun’s Business Development Manager Mindy Dahlquist and Technical Director Lane Gardner about how modern snow retention systems help prevent dangerous snow slides and protect people, property and roofing systems. 

Why snow retention systems matter 

The primary role of snow retention systems is safety. When snow suddenly slides from a roof — particularly a metal roof — it can create significant hazards for pedestrians, building entrances, vehicles and landscaping below. 

According to Mindy, the risks increase as snow accumulates and conditions change. “Weather patterns will change the moisture concentration in the snow on your roof, causing it to become one frozen mass,”  she explained. “Oftentimes when that snow does decide to slide, it can take roofing product with it, and it can also most definitely cause dangers, such as death and injury, which we have seen across the country.” 

Several industry trends are making snow retention systems even more relevant today. One is the growing use of metal roofing. “Metal is a slippery surface, so that affects the way the snow acts on the roof’s surface, rather than something that has more friction,” Mindy said. 

Snow retention solutions  

Snow retention systems are designed to keep snow safely in place until it melts naturally, preventing dangerous avalanching events. Mindy described the two main types of snow retention systems: brackets and snow fences. “Snow brackets are not meant to stop snow once it moves,” she stated. “Brackets are placed across the entire roof, from eave to ridge, and their goal is to hold that snow in an insulating blanket across that roof.” 

Snow fences function differently. “Oftentimes, they are clamped onto a metal standing seam panel and allow snow to slide down into the fences,” Mindy added. “It is utilized as a safety device to allow that snow to freeze right there.” 

Anticipating future issues with innovation 

Tra Snow and Sun is working continuously to innovate to improve upon and expand their snow retention offerings. With a background in semiconductor and automotive engineering design and manufacturing, Lane brings new ideas and experiences to their role of technical director. “I’m trying to take those different thought processes and bring them here to TRA,” Lane shared. “We’re working on improving our efficiency, making something good for the shop floor people all the way to the customers, so we get a really good product.” 

For Mindy, the industry’s growing awareness of snow retention ultimately comes back to protecting people. “We are going to continue to see snow retention become more and more constant as these changes come to surface, and I think that’s a good thing,” Mindy said. “We’re seeing those issues ahead of time, rather than waiting and building these structures and having issues down the road.” 

Listen to the podcast or Watch the webinar to learn more about the importance of snow retention systems. 

By Jenny Yu.  

TRA Snow and Sun leaders discuss contractor conversations, booth activities and plans for the year ahead. 

TRA Snow and Sun has kicked off 2026 with a busy schedule, including a stop at the 2026 International Roofing Expo (IRE)! Ben Anderson, head of operations, and Mindy Dahlquist, business development manager, sat down with Karen Edwards at The Coffee Shops™ Sound Stage, sponsored by SRS Distribution.  

At trade shows like IRE, conversations at the TRA Snow and Sun booth often involve contractor education. “With snow retention, we've had questions like: what is this? Why would you want to keep the snow on the roof? How does this function? Are we wanting it to melt? Are we wanting it to fall off in smaller pieces? What is the goal?” Mindy said. “Being able to answer those questions for contractors is a lot of fun.” 

To add to the fun, TRA Snow and Sun set up a trucker hat bar at their booth, inviting attendees to decorate hats with a variety of patches. “They’re customizable,” Ben said. “People are having fun with all the patches.” 

The hats also engaged people who normally wouldn’t stop at their booth. “We've had a lot more conversations with contractors who would see snow and they'd be like, ‘Oh, I'm in Texas or I'm in Florida. I'm not going to stop here,’” Mindy shared. “With the hat bar, we've had that opportunity to talk to them about some of the other products that we manufacture that are not snow retention. That opens up other doors as well.” 

On top of representing TRA Snow and Sun, Mindy discussed her involvement with the National Women in Roofing (NWIR). “I am going to be the chair of the virtual council, and we are doing our kickoff call February 10 with Melissa Chapman of The GLO Group,” Mindy said. “It'll be fun to be able to kick off this council and really provide that support for women and men in roofing who maybe don't have a local council near them.” 

Watch the Soundstage interview and check out our interview at their booth to learn more about what TRA Snow and Sun is doing in 2026! 

Across the show floor, soundstage interviews and educational sessions, IRE 2026 made it clear that the roofing industry is not standing still. 

While community defines the heart of the International Roofing Expo (IRE), innovation defines its pace. From AI-driven tools and smarter products to immersive booths and hands-on demonstrations, our crew experienced IRE 2026 as a snapshot of where the industry is headed. Here’s a deeper look at how it went, as told through the voices of our crew members who spent the week capturing it. 

Technology everywhere 

One of the most immediate takeaways from IRE 2026 was just how visible technology has become across the show floor. Megan Ellsworth, multimedia director, shared: 

One theme that did stand out for me at IRE was the sheer amount of technology and AI companies at the show and the innovations through technology that big name distributors and manufacturers are implementing. Contractors were a buzz with all the new technology at their fingertips through either their distributor, CRM or manufacturer that is for sure. 

That buzz extended to manufacturers, distributors and long-established brands bringing tangible, jobsite-ready solutions to the floor. Karen Edwards, COO, emphasized, “I was most impressed by the manufacturers that continually innovate and bring new solutions that help contractors work smarter, more efficiently, the products that perform better. It’s incredible.” Startups and established brands showcased tools that have the potential to fundamentally change how contractors work day to day.  

Innovation on display: Booths, launches and customer stories 

For crew members walking the show floor, innovation stood out not only in the products themselves, but in how exhibitors chose to present their stories. Lauren White, editor-in-chief, explained: 

It’s always so fun to see the same people each year, and also to see how some of our customers’ booths have grown over the years. Some companies who started with a single table and a small footprint now have the biggest LED screen that Informa has ever seen, like Roof Scout. Central States Manufacturing had a huge, amazing booth as well and it looked really great and made a statement. 

Everyone puts so much time and energy into making their booths look good and flow, and they’re really proud of them. There’s a lot of intentional planning that goes into that. For us to go onto the show floor and highlight those booths – asking what they want to showcase and positioning ourselves where they feel best – is really special. People are so grateful for the opportunity to talk about their latest products and recent launches and show them off in their booth. 

Drake Porter, industry relations coordinator, echoed this sense of creativity and experimentation they witnessed across the show floor: 

Just seeing what all these folks are doing, whether it's tools or materials or an amazing Trash Rocket or a giant screen at Roof Scout was really cool. My favorite interview of the day was Western States Metal Roofing, where she talked about different shingle sizes, metal and the 3D-printed display she created for the booth. 

Across the span of three days, Lauren and Drake had the chance to dance with the Pink Panther from Owens Corning®, assist the BITEC® magician in passing cards around to the crowd and made custom hats with TRA Snow and Sun, further highlighting the vastness of this year’s exhibitor booths. 

Education contractors can use 

Education once again proved to be one of IRE’s strongest assets, especially as conversations around AI moved from theory to application. Heidi J. Ellsworth, president and CEO, moderated a panel discussion focused on AI in practical business settings: 

We were fortunate enough to be part of the Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) panel talking about AI in real-life situations. It really talked about not only where the roofing industry is going, but what you need to look at and be aware of. 

The IRE educational courses throughout the week really help contractors build their business, so they can leave IRE with a strong to-do list, which I think is really important. 

What stood out most to Karen was the engagement: “It’s impressive to have 100 people in a room who want to learn about AI at 8:30 in the morning and nobody was scrolling through their phone during that presentation. They were engaged and eager to learn.” 

Telling the industry’s stories 

One of the ways innovation came to life at IRE 2026 was through storytelling itself. James Ellsworth, CFO, exclaimed, “The soundstage did 89 recordings over the course of three days. We had experts from around the industry all wanting to share on the soundstage.” As Karen hosted the majority of these interviews, she reflected, “Being able to bring a little piece of the show to those people who weren’t able to come was heartwarming. They can tune into our videos, and they can see what’s new.” The theme that consistently emerged was adoption. As Lauren noted, “People are really adopting tech and AI, which is great to see in an industry that’s typically slow to adopt. 2026 is the year of growth.” Across tools, technology, education and storytelling, IRE 2026 highlighted real solutions, real learning and real momentum. And the industry is clearly ready for what’s next. 

Check out our YouTube playlist to hear from the experts themselves!

By Jenny Yu.  

TRA’s Faux Panel Mount helps contractors safely integrate snow management with Tesla Solar Roof systems. 

In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Megan Ellsworth spoke with Mindy Dahlquist, business development manager of TRA Snow & Sun, and Nick Zavala, brand president of American Home Contractors, to talk about how TRA’s Faux Panel Mount integrates with Tesla Solar Roof systems and is changing how contractors approach snow retention on solar roofing projects.  

For American Home Contractors, adopting Tesla Solar Roof technology has been both an opportunity and a learning experience. “Strategically, it positioned us at the forefront of roofing, roofing technology and renewable technology and has really opened new opportunities for us,” Nick said.  

At the same time, the evolving system presented new challenges, particularly when the winter months rolled around. “Tesla Solar Roof tiles are made both from glass and metal. When we have a significant amount of snow, that snow can shed very, very quickly,” Nick explained. “We had to make sure that we had solutions in place to ensure that, one, the people going in and out of those homes are safe, and two, that your property is taken care of and safe.”  

These challenges helped drive the development of TRA’s Faux Panel Mount. “This isn’t a shingle that we are just going to drill down through,” Mindy shared. “We had lots of R&D meetings, lots of testing and we sent products out to specific contractors to work them and make changes.” The result uses a 3/16 stainless steel snow blocker that can be powder-coated to match the Tesla roof surface, preserving aesthetics while improving safety. 

Nick said that the Faux Panel Mount was a turning point for his crew. “When we got this product, it was a game changer in terms of timeline,” he said. “Before, we would burn through a dozen batteries just installing the other system because it was a lot heftier it had different requirements that were unnecessary, there weren't pre-drilled holes. This solution has really changed the way we think about snow retention by making it easier for our teams to install.” 

Read the first article in this series or Listen to the podcast to learn more about how TRA’s Faux Panel Mount works with Tesla Solar Roof systems. 

By Jenny Yu.  

Take advantage of this limited-time deal on TRA Snow & Sun orders placed in the month of February!  

As winter weather continues and we enter the month of February, many roofing contractors begin to feel the seasonal slowdown. Fewer jobs and tighter budgets can put pressure on margins. TRA Snow & Sun is here to help with Free Freight February, a campaign designed to deliver savings when contractors need it most.  

TRA Snow & Sun is known for engineered snow retention systems built to perform in demanding environments. With nationwide shipping capabilities and a focus on contractor support, the company continues to look for ways to strengthen partnerships beyond the product itself. This February promotion reflects that commitment by helping contractors control costs during a traditionally slower period. 

Throughout the month of February, TRA Snow & Sun is offering free freight on qualifying orders placed and confirmed between February 1 and February 28, 2026 (some restrictions apply). This is especially exciting for contractors ordering and shipping snow retention systems across the country, as freight costs can add up quickly. Removing that expense allows companies to allocate the saved funds toward other important material purchases and expenses.  

In addition to free freight, TRA Snow & Sun is offering a discount to will-call customers in February (exclusions apply). This ensures that contractors who are able to pick up orders directly are able to enjoy key savings this month along with their cross-country counterparts.  

All orders must be placed and finalized by February 28 to qualify, so plan accordingly to ensure you secure your materials before the busy season ramps up! 

Contact your TRA Snow & Sun sales representative today to place and confirm your order before the February 28 deadline and take advantage of these limited-time savings.

Dozens of interviews, thousands of steps and countless memories, connections and positive energy at day one of IRE.

Editor's note: The following is a transcript of a conversation between The Coffee Shops™ crew about day one of IRE 2026. 

Karen Edwards: Wow, day one of IRE was amazing. It really was. I spent my whole day at IRE; I did not get over to World of Concrete, but the line waiting to get in the show this morning was a fabulous opportunity that James took advantage of to hand out bags, swag and information about R-Club. There were so many contractors there, and everyone was excited to go inside the show, see what's new, talk to their vendors, pick up some swag and just have a great time. Everyone is happy to be here. It could be due to the fact that is 65 degrees and sunny outside, but everyone is just thrilled to be here. This is our Super Bowl, right? This is our biggest event of the year, and to be able to be here and to have our soundstage bring the stories of what's happening at the show to everybody — whether you're here or not — that is a thrill for me.

I'm honored to be able to sit on on that soundstage and talk to our customers, our partners, our friends, our R-Club members, about why they're here, what's new. There are so many new product releases, new initiatives that are being undertaken, and it's so cool to see the industry really advance, progress and move forward into solutions and technologies that help the industry work smarter and do more with less, addressing the labor shortage, and it's just a really exciting, fun time. One of the other things that I like the most about the interviews is that people are very nervous, and being able to be say, "You're going to be great. It's just conversation. It's just you and I talking." And at the end they go, "Wow, that was so fun. I had such a good time." Being able to make them feel at ease is really great.

The Welcome Party, sponsored by ABC Supply was amazing. And then we visited Brava Roof Tile at their hospitality and Polyglass and it was just great to see everyone. People are feeling really positive going into 2026.

James Ellsworth: I had a lot of fun today helping manage the booth and direct traffic. We did about 28 interviews starting at 7:45 a.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m., and we also did one Coffee Conversations and one podcast. So a lot of skillful interviewing. We had a huge line outside our booth, which is always a lot of fun. I really enjoyed talking to the SkillsUSA teachers and state directors who came by on their SkillsUSA booth challenge where they visit the different sponsors supporting the commercial roofing competition. I had a great time handing out swag for the students around the country.

Drake Porter: Day one. Wow, what a day. I walked 16,000 steps today with Lauren doing booth interviews. Just getting the opportunity to meet partners and customers and getting to hear all the new things that they're doing with their companies and all their different products and services was great. And it was nice to actually see the faces of the people I email all the time. The First-time Attendee event was really good. We were handing out hand sanitizers to all the first-timers, and we didn't have any left. My favorite interview today was about the trash rocket with Rocket Equipment. It was the very first one we did, and I'm just amazed by this giant slide for roofing material debris. I loved it. And then I think the second best one was with Mindy at TRA Snow and Sun. It was just a really good day overall. A lot of great traffic everywhere we went.

Lauren White: Drake and I were on the show floor, and we had a lot of interviews scheduled throughout the day at IRE — we were also just on the IRE side today. And people are really excited to be here, excited to see people, they have great energy and great traffic at their booths. We started interviews before the show floor opened, and even just an hour in, people in the far corners of the floor were saying, "We have so much traffic already." So that was really great to hear, especially since we also have World of Concrete happening at the same time. It's always fun to see our partners and see what they're up to. I got to interview the Owens Corning Panther, which was very fun. It's a very animated interview on The Pink Panther side!

RoofersCoffeeShop sponsors the First-time Attendees reception right before the Welcome Party, and we saw a lot of people coming in and got to welcome them and hand out hand sanitizers to them as their gift. It was a beautiful night. The event was outside on a terrace, and we had a view of the sphere and strip at sunset. Then we went to the Brava hospitality, and I actually saw two people I had on a podcast from MRS Roof Pros. They're an R-Club member, and I just had the podcast with them last week for AskARoofer, and they found me in the crowd and we had a great conversation. They were happy to see us and excited for what else is to come with RoofersCoffeeShop and them. The Polyglass hospitality is always a party and a half. Great food, amazing music, everyone was singing along. Also a beautiful venue at the Paris at the Chele rooftop bar. We got to see the Bellagio water show, which is my favorite thing in Vegas. Overall a great day! Everybody's happy, they're having a good time and we're all looking forward to the Roofing Alliance Student Competition tomorrow morning.