NWCB’s Executive Director Looks Forward to the Wall and Ceiling Conference & Trade Show
In a special episode of If Walls Could Talk, broadcasted live from BUILD24, W&C Associate Editor Michael Levitt interviews Gabriel Quintana, the new executive director of the Northwest Wall and Ceiling Bureau, discussing the upcoming Wall and Ceiling Conference & Trade Show. Quintana, enthusiastic about his recent appointment, emphasizes the importance of community engagement and soliciting member feedback to drive the association forward, as NWCB collaborates with other industry organizations to expand the conference’s reach and enhance its educational offerings.
W&C talks with influencers in the industry who are making an impact. We are helping educate and entertain the wall and ceiling industry as only W&C can do. What brought these people to the industry? What’s in store for the contractor? And “If Walls Could Talk,” what stories would they tell? Find out all of this and more on each episode.
From the Attic to Advocacy: The Attic Queen
Jessica Azarelo, founder of Attic Queen LLC, transitioned from a career in banking to the insulation industry, insisting on learning every aspect of the work firsthand. That experience shaped a customer-first business focused on diagnosing whole-home performance issues rather than selling insulation alone. After a severe jobsite injury ended her fieldwork, Azarelo reinvented her role, growing her influence through advocacy, education, and plans to franchise Attic Queen nationwide.
CISCA Sets 2026 Contractor Challenge for April 22 in Texas
The Ceilings & Interior Systems Construction Association announced that its 2026 Contractor Challenge will be held April 22, 2026, at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas, as part of CISCA Summit 2026. Teams of two installers from CISCA member companies will compete to install a specialty ceiling system, judged on speed, accuracy, safety, and quality. The event will feature live audience viewing, an accompanying Product Showcase, and awards recognizing the industry’s top-performing teams.
Why 2025 Was a Turning Point for the Spray Foam Industry
W&C Editor John Wyatt speaks with Tom Harris of Tom Harris PUR Consulting about the technological advances, education-driven growth, and regulatory forces shaping the spray foam industry as it heads into 2026. Harris points to 2025 as a turning point marked by major product improvements, stronger collaboration, rising certification rates, and a more educated contractor base—positioning spray foam for continued momentum despite upcoming economic and regulatory challenges.
I-9 Audits, Raids and Contractor Compliance
Immigration enforcement has shifted from a looming concern to an immediate threat for construction contractors, with I-9 audits and ICE actions already underway. In this urgent discussion, Jill Bloom and legal expert Trent Cotney stress that proactive, consistent I-9 compliance and documented good-faith efforts are now essential to avoiding serious penalties and protecting construction businesses heading into 2026.
Dear Anna: AI In Construction—Transforming Client Acquisition
As decision-makers turn to AI instead of Google, contractors must rethink their websites and trust signals to stay visible and competitive.
Western Partitions Inc: Walls & Ceilings' Contractor of 2025
Western Partitions Inc. has been named W&C's “2025 Contractor of the Year.” From their roots in Wilsonville, Ore., to an expansive footprint across 11 offices nationwide, WPI continues to set the benchmark for excellence, resilience, and leadership in the wall and ceiling industry.
