Expert Conversations

A first-timer's guide to IRE 2026

January 14, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

By Emma Peterson. Attending the International Roofing Expo for the first time? Don’t be intimidated by the variety of events and sessions there are to explore! The 2026 International Roofing Expo (IRE) will be held in Las Vegas January 20-22, 2026! This is one of the biggest annual roofing ...

Tech that works for you

January 11, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

By Anna Lockhart. Finding a platform designed to not only meet needs, but anticipate them, can be a game changer in securing sales success. Here’s how Central States Manufacturing’s Central Link delivers those results. In this episode of the MetalCast™ podcast, host Megan Ellsworth sat down with ...

Building a smarter tech stack for sustainability

January 11, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

By Jesse Sanchez. How roofing and metal contractors are rethinking software strategies to improve visibility, integration and long-term performance across their businesses. During this MetalTalk™, the discussion centered on how contractors can use a well-structured tech stack to support growth, improve operations and strengthen customer relationships. The conversation featured Estimating ...

Preview the 57th Annual MBCEA Conference and Spring Meeting

January 10, 2026 at 3:00 a.m.

By Jenny Yu. The conference includes presentations on project management software, AI and accreditation. In a recent episode of MetalCast™, Karen Edwards spoke with the incoming and outgoing presidents of the Metal Building Contractors & Erectors Association (MBCEA), David Leinbach (incoming president) and Robert Tiffin (outgoing president, chairman of ...

A sneak peak of the MCA Winter Meeting 2026

January 9, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

By Jenny Yu. This year’s gathering will provide members with opportunities to learn, engage and explore. In a recent episode of MetalCast™, Karen Edwards spoke with Jeff Henry, executive director of the Metal Construction Association (MCA), about MCA’s upcoming Winter Meeting taking place on January 13-15, 2026, in San ...

The price is right: Utilizing visualization software to its fullest potential

January 4, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

By Anna Lockhart. Simply going off of word of mouth when planning the details of a project can be tricky, both cost-wise and when it comes to matching customer tastes. This visualization software takes out the guesswork. In this episode of the Roofing Road Trips® podcast, host Karen Edwards sat ...

Using AI to strengthen operations, not replace people

January 4, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

By Emma Peterson. Kevin Fox shares ideas about how businesses can use AI to support growth without losing the human touch. We recently hosted Kevin Fox of Foxwerx Group for an episode of Contractor Outlook about the evolving role of AI in business and brand growth. Kevin is the ...

From inquiry to installation: Support throughout the process

January 3, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

By Jenny Yu. CIDAN Machinery Group offers customers full-service support with every equipment purchase. In this MetalCast™ episode, Karen Edwards spoke with Ronnie Pollack, vice president of sales and marketing for CIDAN Machinery Group, about how the company supports customers long after the purchase of their machinery. Ronnie explained ...

Building science: The key to high-performance structures

January 3, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

By Emma Peterson. Explore the science and testing behind creating long-lasting and high-performance buildings. As we face increasingly extreme weather conditions, understanding building science has become more important than ever. At its core, building science is the study of how different components of a building interact to create healthier and ...

Same old drill, brand new tool

December 28, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

By Jenny Yu. Malco’s drill attachment, the TurboShear® Rotary Panel Cutter, makes jobs more ergonomic and efficient. In this Roofing Road Trips® episode, Austin Cash, senior new product development engineer for Malco Tools, spoke with Karen Edwards about one of the company’s newest innovations: the TurboShear® Rotary Panel Cutter. ...