In this episode of If Walls Could Talk, John Wyatt from Walls & Ceilings interviews Tom Harris of Tom Harris PUR Consulting about the upcoming Spray Foam Convention & Expo in Daytona Beach, Florida. The event features 45 educational breakout sessions for contractors, a beach party hosted by Spray Foam World Wide with over $500,000 in giveaways, an applicator competition, and a robust certification program, with Harris presenting on topics like foam shrinkage, exotherm, energy modeling for commercial roofs, and evaluating SPF products.

In a year-end conversation, Trent Cotney of Adams & Reese shared actionable legal tips for businesses to effectively close out 2024 and prepare for 2025. Key insights included year-end planning strategies, addressing insurance challenges in storm-related work, and prioritizing labor, contract provisions, and goal setting to establish a strong foundation for the upcoming year.

At the 20th annual Best of Success event, Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited, emphasized the importance of brand consistency and strategy in building trust and delivering on promises. Highlighting innovative marketing approaches, Anderson shared insights on leadership, brand development, and connecting with customers to drive growth in the roofing industry.

The 2024 presidential election brought significant changes in media consumption and marketing strategies, with a notable shift toward leveraging podcasters and influencers alongside mainstream media. Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited, discusses these trends and their implications for contractors, emphasizing the importance of reassessing marketing channels to avoid competition with political campaigns. As trust in traditional media reaches an all-time low, Anderson highlights the need to adapt marketing strategies to resonate with audiences increasingly influenced by alternative platforms.

Walls & Ceilings has named Curtis Partition as its Contractor of 2024, recognizing the New York-based company for its exceptional industry practices, quality craftsmanship, and employee-focused approach. President and CEO Ajay Narula reflected on the honor, sharing plans for the company’s future and insights into the industry’s direction.

In this episode of If Walls Could Talk, Tom Harris, owner of Tom Harris PUR Consulting, discusses how the SPF industry may be impacted by new leadership. He highlights cautious optimism about a more focused leadership approach while addressing key industry concerns: labor, tariffs and taxes, and energy policy, emphasizing the need for continued federal support for energy conservation programs.

W&C Group Publisher Jill Bloom interviews Steve Slepcevic, CEO of Strategic Response Partners, about best practices for contractors to prepare for major storms. Slepcevic emphasizes the importance of having a comprehensive plan in place for individuals, families, and businesses, as well as maintaining proper communication tools like satellite phones. He also discusses the impact of weather phenomena like "bomb cyclones" on the West Coast and the need for proactive measures to manage water flow and prevent flooding.

Looking for new ways to save energy and meet decarbonization goals? Learn how phase change material in ceilings is helping building operators reduce energy cost and usage and contributes to improved indoor environmental quality.

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Speaking from an actual jobsite, Health, Safety, & Compliance expert Tammy Clark emphasizes the importance of tailored safety approaches rather than one-size-fits-all solutions, which can inadvertently create greater risks. She highlights the role of a "Competent Person" (CP) in identifying and mitigating hazards and criticizes general contractors for imposing blanket safety requirements, such as mandatory steel-toed boots, which may increase risks for certain workers like roofers.

Walls & Ceilings Editor John Wyatt interviews Jonathan Belanus, president of JB Insulation & Drywall in Oakland, N.J., recently featured in the magazine's November issue. Belanus, a third-generation insulation contractor, discusses his company’s work in residential and commercial insulation, drywall, and firestopping, with a focus on custom-built homes. He also shares his positive experience at this year’s ICAA Annual Trade Show in Chicago, which he has attended since his late teens.