Friendly competition and education draw crowds at IRE 2026

By Jenny Yu.  

Sika highlighted coatings, restoration systems and contractor training while engaging with attendees on the show floor. 

The 2026 International Roofing Expo brought together roofing professionals from across the world, and Sika Roofing & Waterproofing used the opportunity to showcase its wide range of building protection solutions while connecting with contractors on the show floor. 

On day one of the event, Dani Sheehan of The Coffee Shops™ stopped by the Sika booth to learn more about what the company had planned for attendees. She had the chance to catch up with Patrick Jorski, parking and restoration specialist for Sika in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. “I’ve been in this role for over 20 years. I’ve been selling our THORO coatings for over 36 years,” he shared. 

Alongside product demonstrations and conversations with contractors, Sika created an interactive experience designed to draw in visitors. “We’re doing a sealant challenge to find the fastest caulker. The person with the quickest time wins a grill,” said Patrick. The activity gave roofing professionals a chance to test their skills while engaging with the brand in a fun and competitive environment. 

Beyond the contest, Sika focused on highlighting the breadth of its waterproofing and restoration solutions. “We’re also talking about our wall coatings, our ad mix, our concrete repair, our One-Shot specialized deck coating system — so, anything to waterproof and protect your building,” Patrick explained. “That’s what we do.” 

Education was also a major focus for the company at the show. Patrick serves as a presenter and trainer for Sika’s national wall coating applicator program, which helps contractors develop the knowledge and skills needed to properly install their coating systems. 

“It’s a two-day course of means and methods, proper application, proper millage, how to teach the contractors to put the materials in right so it’s perfect, beautiful and you get the aesthetics that you really want,” Patrick said.  

With a high-traffic booth near the show entrance and customers visiting from across the country, including many from Texas, Sika stayed busy throughout the event. 

Watch the full interview to learn more about Sika’s products and training initiatives!