Rubbing shoulders with the industry’s best and brightest

By Jenny Yu.  

At the FEI Group 2025 National Conference, the top contractors in the country made lasting connections to better the future of the industry. 

The FEI Group 2025 National Conference in San Diego was one for the books. Keely Roberts, director of Exterior Contractors Alliance (ECA), part of FEI Group, spoke with Heidi J. Ellsworth in this Roofing Road Trips® episode about the conference’s 25th anniversary.  

“This is truly an ecosystem with suppliers, with our industry partners such as RoofersCoffeeShop,” Keely shared. “We want everyone to walk away energized and full of little nuggets to be able to integrate into your own businesses.” 

One of the main ways attendees gathered those nuggets of knowledge and inspiration was through the many networking opportunities available. As a smaller conference, the FEI National Conference invites contractors from across the industry to rub shoulders with one another, allowing for meaningful relationship building and creative collaboration.  

“In our breakout sessions, we encourage discussion,” Keely stated. “We have member-led panels. We have round-table discussions. It's a lot of free conversation, which is really where we find the most benefit. You're gaining new networks just by sitting next to someone during a meal or a learning academy session.”  

These networks are built from the get-go. On the first evening, FEI hosted a give-back event. “It’s very important to us,” Keely explained. “One of the tenants of FEI group as the parent company is, anytime there are more than 50 of us — meaning staff, supply partners, members — we create an event to give back to the community.” This year, conference attendees packed meals and toiletry bags to support No Child Hungry, an organization that serves children and families in need in the San Diego area. And of course, an element of competition made the event all the more enjoyable. “It becomes a little competitive at the tables, which is always fun,” Keely added.  

The fun continued at a party during the later part of the conference with the theme “rep your state.” Attendees dressed in their hometown best and danced atop the USS Midway, continuing a tradition of going all-out for FEI festive fun amongst peers.  

“That's really what it's all about,” Keely said. “Making connections.” 

Listen to the podcast to learn more about all the FEI Group National Conference had to offer.