The Restoration Industry Association’s Fall Conference Series will be held Oct. 23-27 at the Hyatt Regency in Garden Grove, Calif. Focusing on an array of topics, including rugs, carpet and textiles, environmental issues and damage restoration, this year’s new format allows attendees the option to select between three intense, specialized conferences.

The series begins with the debut of RIA’s National Institute of Rug and Carpet Cleaning’s first-ever one-and-a-half day conference, Oct. 23-24, titled “Better Your Best: Add-on Services to Boost Your Bottom-line Profits.” NIRC will offer hands-on and product application training, as well as a variety of lectures providing information on topics such as the best equipment to use for tile cleaning, identification of floor types, cleaning procedures, solutions to common problems, and the number one secret to money-making, add-on services for rugs, carpets and textiles.

Oct. 24 also kicks off the 2nd RIA Environmental Conference, “Risks vs. Rewards: Specialized Environmental Cleaning Add-On Services.” This conference includes highlights such as “Trauma and Crime Scene Cleanup” and “Working in the Healthcare Fields: Know Your Facility.” The “Use of Chemicals Debate” will reveal the latest on the usage of biocides as addressed by professionals and experts.

Concluding the series on Oct. 25-26, RIA’s 4th Disaster Restoration Conference seeks to provide the best solutions and most productive answers surrounding the issues of drying by determining the best practices based on science. The fast-paced, high-energy sessions open with a panel of experts and two mini-keynote speakers, Joe Lstiburek, P. Eng., principal of Building Science Corporation, and “Mac” Pearce, MPH, an independent environmental health consultant and a principal of Pearce Mold Diagnostic Services. Participants will then “Feel the HEAT” as drying and restoring issues are resolved in the much anticipated “grill sessions.” John Fox, a business ethics coach, will open day two of the conference by setting the tone for upcoming discussions of “Avoidable Risk” and “Liability Exposure, Fiduciary Duty & Risk Management: A Restorer’s Legal Update.”

RIA’s 2007 Fall Conference Series has something for everyone. In addition to the three-part specialized conference series, the comprehensive educational event will also feature an Exhibit Hall with more than 45 vendors displaying their products and services geared for all facets of the restoration industry. The event concludes on Oct. 27 with two special workshops, one on marketing and the other examining risk assessment issues, for contractors and RIA members only.

Attendees can register for one or all of RIA’s conference series. Register before Sept. 14 and save $100 on each registration. Full details and registration applications are available on RIA’s Web site, www.restorationindustry.org.

Colorado Governor Signs Bill Actively Supported by RIA
A bill that was actively supported by RIA was signed by Colorado Governor Bill Ritter in June. Rep. Dorothy Butcher (D) successfully sponsored the consumer rights bill – HB 1104, the Insurance Consumer Freedom of Choice Bill, which the association hopes will set a precedent nationwide for consumer freedom of choice in property restoration.

The bill, which easily passed both the Colorado House and Senate, prevents insurance companies from dictating which restoration company must be used in a covered property repair insurance loss.

“We applaud the Colorado state legislature for having the foresight and wisdom to support legislation that will directly benefit their constituents. This law represents a first step, and ensures and preserves a consumer’s right to choose who will restore their home or business following a disaster,” said Don Manger, executive director of RIA. “RIA knows this bill will go miles in serving the public, and will reduce the inherent conflict-of-interest of insurers who attempt to limit spending on their own behalf, instead of representing the best interests of the policyholder.”

RIA is pursuing legislation of this type nationwide on behalf of consumers and the rights of small businesses in the restoration industry.