ORLANDO, Fla. - Many roofing contractors are still waiting for an economic rebound, but for organizers of the International Roofing Expo, things are already looking up.

Sunny Orlando, Fla., will be the setting for what organizers say is the roofing industry’s largest, most comprehensive event.

CHICAGO - Recession? What recession? Not at Fabtech. The Nov. 14-17, 2011, metal forming and fabrication event at the massive McCormick Place convention center here broke all the records organizers have used to track the show: trade show attendance, seminar enrollment and exhibit space.

ATLANTA - Anyone looking for signs that the U.S. construction industry is starting to recover may want to check out the attendance statistics from last year’s Metalcon.

Metalcon International is returning this year to Atlanta, and organizers are optimistic that despite the construction industry’s continuing recession-related troubles, the Oct. 11-13 show will be a major success.

When contractors convene at the 68th annual SMACNA convention this month in Colorado Springs, Colo., they will be surrounded by history.

The International Roofing Expo has yet to be dealt a “bad hand” here. No wonder it keeps returning.