The Restoration Industry Association’s Fall Conference Series will be held Nov. 18-22 at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore on the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Md. This year’s conference boasts a one-day Environmental Conference and a two-day Restoration Conference covering myriad topics, and will follow last year’s format allowing attendees to register for one or both conferences.
RIA’s conference series begins Nov. 19 with the Environmental Conference titled “Environmental Risk Management: What They Don’t Teach You at Restoration & Remediation School.” This daylong event is geared towards both environmental specialists and damage restoration professionals, and will address the “how-to’s” of risk management by providing practical tips and practices for protecting business assets.
The conference will also introduce a new format billed as “The Un-Conference: Exploring Chartered & Un-Chartered Ideas.” The Un-Conference is RIA’s unique way of sharing industry knowledge with attendees. Designed to be both educational and a networking opportunity, it provides the opportunity to discuss industry concepts and ideas for topics for the remaining afternoon sessions.
Nov. 20-21 is RIA’s Restoration Conference, “Innovative Perspectives: Near & Far.” This two-day conference is designed to give various viewpoints on drying issues. The first morning kicks off with new views on “Choosing a Focus Debate: End User Marketeer or Vendor Program Loyalist. Why Can’t You Do Both?” Second-generation restoration professionals Keri Jones and Jaclyn Carpenter, WLS, will share with attendees their two sides to this debate.
The afternoon sessions will include the Donnybrook on “Choosing a Focus Debate Round 3” followed by presentations to the “Pricing & Drying” Donnybrooks, an R&D report on “Efficient Balance of Humidity, Airflow and Temperature for Drying System Management,” and the “State of the Restorative Drying Industry Down Under,” presented by international member Kaye Gough of Drizair Disaster Recovery Services.
Day two begins with sessions on “Cost Accounting Issues for Damage Repair Contracting” with well-known industry greats like Marty King, CR, Les Cunningham, Rusty Amarante, CR, and Peter Crosa. Attendees will be updated on new initiatives with restoration and higher learning with a session on “The Academic Connection” featuring Purdue University’s degree program initiative and an update by CodeBlue’s Ed Jones on how community colleges across the nation are implementing restoration education programs.
Friday will feature a special presentation on “High-Impact Community Outreach through SAFELY OUT” by Gary Dietrich, president and co-founder of Citizen Voice. The conference will feature The Un-Conference format, once again giving attendees a chance to select the topics they would most like to discuss.
The Fall Conference wouldn’t be the same without a few great networking opportunities for attendees and optional post-conference sessions. On Friday night there will be a Maryland-style crab feast featuring traditional steamed blue crabs. One pre-conference session Nov. 18 and two post-conference sessions on Nov. 22 are also scheduled. Attendees can register directly with the company presenting the session, including CodeBlue: Contractor’s Conference; Water Out Drying Corp: Advanced Hardwood and Concrete Drying Course, and Business Networks: The Ideal System for Restoration Companies.
Check out the full details for registration and sessions on RIA’s website at www.restorationindustry.org.
