by Emerson Pagel | PNW Regional Tradeshow Chair / ABC Supply Co. inc. 

Western Washington isn’t known for its heavy snowfall in March. More often, springtime in Western Washington is characterized by its drizzling rainfall, and by its people. The rainfall is constant, but not heavy. It drags on and on, and yet so do the people that have lived here for generations. The people in Western Washington have learned to adapt to the weather, to wait it out for what they know awaits them in the summertime. The outdoor activities don’t stop in Western Washington; they are just done with a few more layers.

The roofing community in Western Washington might know this better than anyone. The skills, techniques, equipment, and materials of Western Washington Roofers are vital for holding up against the annual, constant rainfall. Each of these facets was on display at the 2026 Annual Roofing Contractors Association PNW Regional Tradeshow held on March 13th at the Muckleshoot Casino. During a rare Western Washington springtime snowstorm, nearly 200 roofers and 55 vendors attended the show, coming together as a community to learn, explore, and share their experience and knowledge of the industry.

The packed hall showcased hundreds of products and ideas. They ranged from insurance supplementation to safety equipment, roof cleaning products, standard shingles, distribution techniques, fire rated ventilation, and so much more. Each of these innovative products was chosen for their ability to hold up to the unique climate of the PNW. Some standouts were the “Press a Hat” booth run by PABCO Roofing Products, Clenz02’s big screen and swag, and ABC Supply’s popcorn stand and raffle prizes. The 2026 show gave everyone a chance to reconnect with an old friend or partner, and to meet someone new as the generations of the roofing community came together.

While vendors and products make up much of the show, education and continued education are essential in all industries but potentially no less vital than in roofing. How we decide to roof a house, the investment we make in our craft can seriously impact on the lives of our customers and our communities. The annual RCAW Tradeshow takes this to heart, giving a platform to those who have the next big idea and the skills to share hard taught lessons.

Each year, RCAW gives an opportunity for those that attend to receive safety certifications for Fall Protection, one of the biggest occupational hazards of the roofing industry. This year, we had several contractors that were proud to receive their certifications. The RCAW also invited national presenters to teach classes in English and Spanish on insurance supplementation, taxes for your company, Building the Brand and many others. Over 25% of all attendees registered for at least one class, and several attended multiple classes. A big thank you to each of the speakers for their time and efforts to share their experience with the show.

The industry looks as bright as a Washington summer day with the 2026 Tradeshow being one of the most attended local shows in recent memory. The community and networking opportunities did not go to waste for the attendees. Products, ideas, and education make up the engine for how we go about our work in the roofing industry, but the community makes up the why. The characteristics and personalities of the roofing industry draw people in. The proof is in the weeks following the show. Several attendees were invited to join the RCAW Board of Directors, and many others have joined the association and are excited for future RCAW events like the Golf Tournament, the Salmon Derby, monthly Young Professionals meetings, the National Women in Roofing event, and the Annual Dinner and Gala. If we didn’t have fun, what would be the point?

Most of us have days when we struggle and others when we thrive. It’s amazing the commonalities between us when the industry is comprised of such a diverse group of people. We share the commonalties, but we get to celebrate the differences, that is what drives us to take the next step and continue to push ourselves forward. That, and a little healthy competition.

Our industry is different. We compete against each other each day, trying to find the best crew, the most leads, and the innovative technology to push us ahead, but we also come together to share our experience and help those around us. This was highlighted during the RCAW Tradeshow as longtime roofing expert and RCAW President Justin Shirley took on newcomer and first time show attendee, RCAW Board Member, Emerson Pagel in a head-to-head match for Emerson’s first Speed Shingle Competition. Pagel did his best to mimic the shinglers before him but still needed help from the crowd to load his nailer. It was an intense match as Pagel had a chance due to his “technique” that allowed him to stretch his shingles and cover more ground while absorbing penalty points.

Through the first minute, it was close, but as their books were made, roofing veteran Shirley quickly pulled ahead of the first timer. Pagel had some help from the community as roofers came to his side to help hold shingles in place, but he was no match for Shirley. By the end, Justin came over to help Emerson finish off his board, showing sportsmanship, generosity, and goodwill for Emerson and the audience. After the scores were calculated, Pagel only fell to Shirley by a mere 2 minutes and 43 seconds and set the stage for what will hopefully become another tradition at the RCAW Tradeshow. Congratulations to all competitors and thank you to Donovan Gladstone and Cara Vesperman with GAF for their care and dedication in throwing and refereeing the event.

For some, the annual tradeshow has become a tradition — a gathering place to share stories from the past year. For others, it was their first introduction to the Washington roofing community. But everyone left with something: a story to tell, an idea to ponder, or a lesson that might shape the year ahead. The spring snowstorm didn’t stop the roofers from attending; it simply meant arriving with a few more layers. After all, as we all know, Washington is where true roofers live.

Emerson Pagel PNW Regional Tradeshow Chair / ABC Supply Co. inc.