By Emma Peterson. 

By focusing on interaction and dialogue, the Connection Forum expands upon IFD’s mission of helping roofing professionals build relationships and share expertise across borders. 

The International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD) is always striving to better serve the members and the global roofing community through innovative professional opportunities for collaboration and growth. One of the newest ways they’re working towards this goal is with the development of their Connection Forum. 

What is this new event?  

The Connection Forum is a new addition to IFD's event schedule. It places an emphasis on interactivity, with the goal of helping member associations and industry partners share challenges and compare problem-solving approaches as to strengthen the technical progress across all countries. As Coffee Shops® president Heidi J. Ellsworth writes, “[At the Connection Forum] Instead of only receiving information, participants become part of the conversation, helping shape ideas in real time while strengthening the connections that have always been central to IFD.” 

Why was this developed?  

This additional format was added to the IFD schedule of events based on member feedback requesting more opportunities for exchange and interaction. It comes at a very timely moment, as the roofing and façade sectors in many different regions face similar evolving challenges, such as sustainability and workforce shortages. As Heidi put it, “This Forum is intentionally designed to create space for open dialogue while helping to bridge the gap between global insight and local application, turning shared knowledge into practical value for all attendees.” 

When will the Forum be held? 

The first Connection Forum is hosted by Wienerberger and will be held in Vienna, Austria. It will run 14-15 October 2026 and is supported by IFD’s partners VELUX, Murexin, Fakro and PREFA. This is a great opportunity for industry partners, national associations and other roofing professionals to join a new format that carries the IFD mission of expanding how professionals connect, learn from one another and build relationships across borders.  

Learn more about the IFD’s 2026 Connection Forum.

By Emma Peterson. 

The new IFD Connection Forum gives attendees the opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss industry challenges and learn from projects around the world. 

For a new episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Sabine Rothschuh, the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD)’s secretary, stopped by The Coffee Shops™ to discuss their newest event – the Connection Forum!  

This forum was developed based on feedback from the IFD Members. Sabine shared some insight into that, saying, “We listened to our Member’s feedback and a big throughline was that people wanted more time to meet, exchange and connect with each other. And that’s where the idea for building a new event format came from.” 

And that idea became the Connection Forum, a new IFD event designed to be more interactive than their other offerings. Sabine explained, “It is not a traditional conference with presentations and speakers. It's more designed as an interactive meeting where participants can actively exchange ideas, discuss current developments and the most important thing is to develop relationships.” 

A great example of how this interactivity will play out during the forum is the IFD project presentation programme. This section of the event invited people from across the world to share their work so that all attendees can learn from each other. As Sabine put it, “his programme is to create an exchange of learning, because the way we approach problems is often totally different based on our location.” 

This is just one of the ways IFD’s new Connection Forum promises to be a unique and powerful opportunity for any roofing professional from anywhere in the world to learn and grow. This first forum is hosted by Wienerberger and sponsored by VELUX, Murexin and Fakro. 

The first Connection Forum is scheduled for 14-15 October 2026 in Vienna, Austria. Learn more at www.rooferscoffeeshop.uk/event/ifd-connection-forum-2026. 

By The Coffee Shops.

The IFD has already demonstrated the power of international collaboration. Now, the opportunity is to expand that impact by welcoming new voices and nations into the fold.  

The roofing industry may look different from one country to the next, but the challenges it faces are often more similar than one might expect! For example, labour shortages and a changing climate are challenging professionals around the world to innovate time-saving technologies and develop new sustainability programs. 

In light of this globalization of the roofing community, organisations like the International Federation for the Roofing Trade (IFD) emerge as key players. Recently, we sat down with Ulrich Marx from the ZVDH, Germany's roofing association, to talk about how being a member of global organisations like IFD help their company thrive.  

ZVDH’s history goes all the way back to IFD’s founding. As Ulrich put it, “We are a founding member; because we have a strong belief in a worldwide roofing community...Roofs are built all over the world and it is very important to exchange knowledge with the professionals working all over the world.” 

When reflecting on how being a member of IFD has helped ZVDH grow over the decades, Ulrich highlighted the World Championship of Young Roofers, “The biggest benefit of the IFD is the World Championship. This is the most important factor to link young professionals all over the world and create a huge network for young roofers and also for the experts.” 

And it truly is these networks and connections that exemplify the power of IFD. It has been felt firsthand by the team at ZVDH who have developed both valuable professional relationships through the IFD as well has friendships that strengthens the entire global community and industry. Ulrich has personally experienced the importance of these connections, sharing:  

I remember a discussion with my American colleague Bill Good, the former CEO of NRCA. That was about ten years ago. Bill told me about their research institute and how it works. That impressed me much and together with my people in Germany we started planning our own institute to implement more technical knowledge combined with scientific input. Last year we founded the German Institute for roof and facade technology. A true value of the IFD connections.  

Overall, Ulrich and ZVDH’s experiences with IFD are just one example of the power of an international organisation. And as the federation looks toward the future, one priority stands above the rest: Bringing more countries into the conversation. 

The roofing industry is often at the centre of some of the world's most pressing challenges and greatest opportunities — particularly in areas such as solar integration, energy efficiency and building envelope performance. By bringing more countries into the IFD community, who each add their unique perspectives, ideas and expertise, the global roofing industry grow stronger. And a stronger global industry is key to creating safer, more efficient, and more sustainable buildings.  

By Emma Peterson. 

IFD President Dirk Bollwerk shares what attendees can expect from the new Connection Forum and the next World Championships of Young Roofer.  

As a global organization, the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD) hosts events around the world. And their next two big events will take them on the road to Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary. To learn more about what will be happening in each of these cities, we spoke to Dirk Bollwerk, IFD’s president, on an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. 

IFD’s event in Vienna, the new Connection Forum, is first up on the calendar, planned for October 2026. Dirk explained what attendees can expect there, saying, “This event is really all about bringing members together to communicate, learn from each other and develop global best practices together.” The Coffee Shops™ crew will be in attendance of this meeting and cannot wait to build connections and relationships with other professionals around the world. We will be also interviewing people live, so make sure to tune into our YouTube channel to keep up with what’s happening in Vienna!  

As for Budapest, the city will be hosting the next World Championships of the Young Roofer in October 2027! Dirk shared a bit more about the Championships, saying, “This is one of our long-standing events and it sees teams come from all different countries, like the U.S., Germany, China and more! And it’s just really great to see the young folks who are so motivated show off their skills.”  

The Coffee Shops crew was in attendance at the last World Championships in 2024 (check out our coverage of the event) and our team still talks about the incredible talent and sportsmanship that was on display. As our president Heidi J. Ellsworth recalled, “When we first got there, all the teams were in their own corners and really focused on the competition. But by the end of the week, they were all watching each other, cheering each other on, switching uniforms and sharing phone numbers. It was just great to see so many talented young people really become a community.”  

And that idea – talented and skilled professionals coming together to build a community is the throughline between every single one of IFD’s events.  

To learn more, Listen to the whole episode, Watch the recording or visit IFD’s directory.  

By the National Roofing Contractor's Association.

The road to Budapest begins in Las Vegas, but the chance to represent Team USA starts today.

The search is on for the next generation of roofing talent to represent the United States at one of the industry's most prestigious international events. Through the National Roofing Contractors Association's (NRCA) IFD Qualifying Competition, skilled young roofing professionals have the opportunity to earn a spot on Team USA and compete at the 2027 World Championship for Young Roofers in Budapest, Hungary.  

For contractors, this is more than just a competition—it's a chance to showcase the talent within your company, invest in workforce development and gain national and international recognition. For roofing professionals, it's an opportunity to represent your company, your trade and your country on the world stage.  

Mark your calendar 

Companies interested in participating should act now, as several key deadlines are quickly approaching. 

Applications for the qualifying competition must be submitted by November 20, 2026. Selected applicants will be notified by December 11, 2026, allowing teams time to prepare for the qualifying event held during the International Roofing Expo in Las Vegas on February 16-17, 2027.  

The teams selected from the qualifying competition will spend the following months training and preparing before traveling to Budapest, Hungary, in November 2027 to compete against the best young roofing professionals from around the globe.  

Represent the best of American roofing 

NRCA is seeking teams in four competition disciplines: 

• Low-slope roofing 
• Metal roofing 
• Slate and tile roofing 
• Façade systems  

Each Team USA entry consists of two competitors and one coach or mentor. Competitors must be employed by an NRCA member company, be 28 years old or younger as of Dec. 31, 2027 and possess the skills and experience necessary to compete at a high level.  

The competition is designed to highlight the craftsmanship, technical expertise and professionalism that define the roofing industry. It's also an opportunity to demonstrate that American roofing talent can compete with the best in the world.  

A once-in-a-career opportunity 

Team USA first participated in the World Championship in 2024, and the experience left a lasting impact on competitors, coaches and industry leaders alike. Participants gained international exposure, expanded their understanding of the trade and returned with new ideas and a broader perspective on roofing excellence.  

Now, NRCA is looking to build on that momentum by identifying the industry's top young talent and assembling teams capable of competing for a world championship. , 

The time to apply is now 

Contractors across the country are encouraged to identify their most skilled young employees and submit an application before the Nov. 20 deadline. Whether your company's strengths are in low-slope roofing, metal, slate and tile or façade work, this is an opportunity to put those skills on display in front of the global roofing community.  

The road to Budapest begins in Las Vegas, but the chance to represent Team USA starts today. If you have talented team members ready to prove themselves among the world's best, now is the time to step forward, apply and showcase the future of American roofing.  

Application Deadline: Nov. 20, 2026. Don't miss your chance to represent Team USA and compete on the world's biggest roofing stage. 

By The Coffee Shops™. 

The partnership between The Coffee Shops and the IFD creates space for global education, events and collaboration. 

Earlier this year, RoofersCoffeeShop® was proud to announce a partnership with the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD). IFD serves as a unifying organization for the global roofing industry, bringing together national associations, manufacturers and service providers to address shared challenges and advance best practices. Its members include organizations such as the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), Zentralverband des Deutschen Dachdeckerhandwerks and the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC). 

Now, months since that announcement, the partnership remains strong and focused on fostering collaboration, education and innovation for roofing professionals around the world. This partnership has created a stronger connection between the North American roofing market and the international roofing community that has led to increased opportunities and resources for the industry on a whole.  

As part of the partnership agreement, RoofersCoffeeShop has been reporting on IFD initiatives and will have boots on the ground at global events like the Connection Forum in October 2026 in Vienna, Austria, and the Young Roofers WORLD Competition in October 2027 in Budapest, Hungary. In fact, for that Connection Forum, the Coffee Shops crew will not only be live streaming interviews and content, but they will also be presenting on industry trends, digital marketing and the growing importance of global connectivity within roofing. 

Gary Howes, one of IFD’s board members, put it best when he reflected on the partnership, sharing, “Partnering with RoofersCoffeeShop [was] an exciting step forward for IFD as we work to expand our global reach and impact... Together we are creating more opportunities for contractors, manufacturers and young professionals to connect, learn from one another and strengthen the future of the roofing industry on a truly international level.” 

By Heidi J. Ellsworth. 

Building on more than 70 years of Congress tradition, IFD’s Connection Forum creates new opportunities for roofing and façade professionals to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships and collaborate across borders. 

Since its founding in the early 1950s, the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD) has supported the exchange of knowledge and experience in roofing and façades while helping professionals build the trust needed for meaningful collaboration. One of the ways they have done this is by bringng the global roofing and façade community together through its Congress.

IFD's Congress create a space for technical knowledge, craftsmanship and relationship building across international borders and have helped establish IFD as a unifying voice for professionals, manufacturers and associations around the world while building a strong tradition of international exchange. In a recent Roofing Road Trips® conversation, IFD President Dirk Bollwerk reinforced that mission, noting that relationships are just as important as technical exchange because they create the environment where ideas can be openly shared and applied. That perspective helps explain why IFD is updating their event format to focus on connection while continuing to honour the strength of its Congress foundation.

Today, IFD is introducing the Connection Forum as an additional format that builds on the Congress tradition while creating a more interactive environment for attendees. This development builds on the collaboration and connection of the Congress while incorporating member feedback requesting more opportunities for exchange, interaction and practical discussion.

The Connection Forum is a setting where participants can move from listening into deeper engagement. Attendees will be able to discuss project experiences, explore regional challenges and share insights that contribute to technical understanding across borders. Instead of only receiving information, participants become part of the conversation, helping shape ideas in real time while strengthening the connections that have always been central to IFD. 

This approach also reflects the realities the roofing and façade sectors are facing today. Challenges such as sustainability, safety and workforce development are appearing across many regions, often with different solutions shaped by local conditions. One of IFD’s greatest strengths is its ability to connect these perspectives so professionals can learn from one another and adapt ideas in ways that work for their own businesses. The forum is intentionally designed to support that exchange by creating space for open dialogue while helping to bridge the gap between global insight and local application, turning shared knowledge into practical value for all attendees. 

What is happening now is continuity with a clear purpose. The Connection Forum builds on more than 70 years of successful Congress tradition and reflects the way IFD members and partners increasingly want to connect and collaborate today. As a new format for this year, it also creates an opportunity to identify and share best practices that can help shape the evolution of future congresses while keeping the organization’s mission rooted in practical international exchange. 

At the heart of that mission is IFD’s role as a neutral international platform where industry leaders, associations and professionals can meet on equal footing. By creating space for open dialogue, IFD helps participants exchange experience and knowledge in a way that moves beyond polite listening and into meaningful collaboration. Specialists gain access to current industry insight that can be applied both in the development of national standards and in everyday practical execution, making the forum a place where shared ideas can become useful tools back home. 

That collaborative spirit is also reflected in the organizations helping bring the new format to life. The IFD Connection Forum 2026 is hosted by Wienerberger and supported by IFD’s Supporting Partners VELUX, Murexin, Fakro and PREFA. Their commitment is an important part of making this new format possible and deserves recognition as the international roofing and façade community comes together to strengthen relationships and share knowledge. 

It is not a departure from the past, but an added opportunity to carry IFD’s mission forward in a format that feels more direct, practical and open to a wider community. The Connection Forum honours the foundation of the Congress while expanding how people connect, learn from one another and build relationships that support the roofing and façade industries across borders. 

By The Coffee Shops™. 

IFD’s World Championship of Young Roofers gives emerging roofing professionals a global platform to demonstrate skill, training and craftsmanship. 

Held roughly every two years in a different location, International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD)'s World Championship of Young Roofers is designed to test trade knowledge and hands-on kill across four disciplines: roofing, waterproofing, metal and industrial roofing and façade. The competition is built around a broader mission to promote the roofing trade, strengthen respect for professional work and highlight the value of vocational and in-company training. It also gives participating countries an opportunity to show the quality of their roofing education and the achievements of young professionals entering the industry. 

Entering the competition 

Each country may send one team per discipline. Teams are made up of two roofers who are younger than 28 during the competition year and have either won a national championship or, where no championship exists, were selected by a national professional organisation of the roofing trade based on skill. Participants may compete only once in each category.  

Once selected, competitors train under the guidance of an industry mentor. These mentors may return in multiple competition years and are encouraged to continue supporting future teams. 

How judging works 

At the championship, an eight-person jury elected by the IFD General Assembly evaluates each team’s performance. Jury members cannot come from the same country and cannot serve as mentors. Teams are judged on accuracy of execution, performance, cleanliness, use of materials, craftsmanship, implementation of the required task and serviceability. 

Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the top three teams in each discipline. The competition also includes a president’s prize, where participants can showcase their specialties in a free competition. Winners receive a commemorative gift from the host country and an IFD certificate of participation, while each world champion also receives an IFD challenge cup. 

The most recent championship was held in Innsbruck, Austria, in 2024. The next championship is planned for 2027 in Budapest, Hungary. Follow IFD to keep up on news about it!

By Emma Peterson. 

How IFD creates opportunities for international collaboration and knowledge sharing that strengthens the global roofing industry. 

Since their founding in 1952, the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD) has served as a unifying network between national roofing associations, industry partners and technical experts all working towards the same goal – strengthen the international roofing industry. Today, they are the world’s leading roofing organisation.  

In this role, the IFD supports the global roofing community with opportunity for collaboration, information on innovations and opportunities to advance the industry. Sabine Rothschuh, IFD’s secretary general, describes IFD’s role as providing:  

A unique platform where members can exchange knowledge, discuss common challenges and learn from international best practices. In my experience, the greatest value of membership is not only access to information, but access to people and ideas that help shape the future of our industry together. Events such as the IFD Connection Forum in Vienna create exactly these opportunities for meaningful international collaboration. 

Becoming a member of IFD brings you into this incredible global network and gives you access to international expertise, technical knowledge and best practices that help you strengthen your organisation. There are four types of membership offered through IFD, ensuring that, whether you are an engineer, a national association, a designer or any other type of roofing, you can get the most out of your membership. These memberships include:  

• Full members: This membership level is designed for “professional organisations of the roofing and facade trade which are constituted in their countries in accordance with the laws existing there in each case.” 
• Cooperation partners: National and regional professional organisations within the roofing and facade sector at this level pay a contribution that is individually determined between them and the IFD.  
• Partner members: These members are manufacturers and companies in the roofing and facade field, as well as national and international associations of manufacturers and industry. 
• Scientific members: The scientific membership was made for “universities, departments, institutions, chairs and research centres, as well as individuals who have a serious interest in scientific research in the disciplines related to roof structures and related technologies.”  

Join the IFD today!

By Heidi J. Ellsworth. 

As roofs take on a larger role in energy generation and rainwater management while supporting climate adaptation, partnerships between manufacturers, associations and contractors become increasingly important.

As roofing professionals around the globe respond to higher expectations for building performance, international collaboration is becoming essential to a more resilient future for the trade. For Wienerberger, one of the industry’s leading building envelope manufacturers, that commitment comes through its work with the International Federation for the Roofing Trade (IFD). 

Wienerberger provides sustainable building solutions across the entire building envelope, supporting new construction and renovation while bringing roof, wall, facade, paving, water and energy infrastructure solutions into a broader approach to the built environment. With operations in 28 countries and more than 200 production sites, the company is recognized as the world’s largest brick producer and a market leader in clay roof tiles in Europe. 

That roofing focus makes the company’s relationship with IFD especially meaningful. IFD brings together trade organizations, manufacturers and industry partners who serve the roofing profession while creating lasting connectionsthat support the shared professional, technical and business interests of the roofing trade internationally. 

As an IFD partner member, Wienerberger participates in a broader international roofing community where education and professional exchange help shape the continued evolution of the trade. Through this network, manufacturers and roofing professionals have more opportunities to share knowledge while understanding emerging needs and supporting stronger outcomes across the industry. 

For contractors, that connection matters because roofing is no longer only about the product installed on the roof. It is about delivering systems that perform while meeting higher expectations for sustainability and supporting buildings designed to last. IFD reinforces work through industry education and technical resources that encourage professional exchange while helping strengthen the trade. 

Wienerberger’s work across the building envelope aligns with many of these priorities as the company continues to emphasize climate-resilient solutions and more functional roof systems. As roofs take on a larger role in energy generation and rainwater management while supporting climate adaptation, partnerships between manufacturers, associations and contractors become increasingly important. 

By engaging in the IFD partner network, Wienerberger is helping advance a larger conversation about the future of roofing. The partnership brings product innovation together with trade expertise while supporting better buildingsand a more resilient, sustainable roofing industry around the world.