Celebrating the women of Chicagoland!

By Emma Peterson. 

CRCA is hosting an all-day event celebrating and uplifting Chicagoland Women in Roofing!  

The Chicago Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA) was the first roofing contractor association formed in the U.S. with roots dating back to the 1870s. Originally created as an effort to rebuild the city in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, the CRCA has continued to operate, switching their focus to “unite those engaged in the roofing and waterproofing industry in Illinois and beyond.” 

To achieve this mission, they have created a suite of education programs, informational resources and networking opportunities designed to elevate their members’ careers and improve the overall roofing industry. A great example of this is their upcoming event, Women Raising the Roofs: Chicago Style!  

Planned for Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Oak Brook, Illinois, this event is run by one of the CRCA’s committees – Chicagoland Women in Roofing (CWIR) – and promises a full day of education, networking and empowerment! The day kicks off at 8:30 a.m. CT with a keynote breakfast. Sponsored by the National Women in Roofing (NWIR) Northern Illinois Council, this keynote will focus on navigating recognition and self-advocacy in a professional setting.  

Then, at 9:45 a.m., there will be a variety of hands-on learning opportunities for attendees thanks to sponsors KARNAK Corporation, Raincoat Roofing, TORI Construction LLC and York Flashings! These include:  

• Harness and rope safety 
• Building enclosure: roof-to-wall transitions 
• Roof types and components 
• Ladder safety 

After a break for lunch, the day continues with an empowerment activity (at 12:45 p.m.), an expert panel discussion (1:30 p.m.) and a raffle (2:30 p.m.). Closing out the event is a networking cocktail party sponsored by GAF and the M. W. Powell Company. Registration is only $40 for CRCA members and $60 for non-members.  

Get registered for CRCA’s CWIR for Women Raising the Roofs: Chicago Style!