Patricia L. Harman

The Property Industry Conference (PIC) was formed to create an open dialog between insurers, third party administrators, restoration contractors, vendors, franchises, software companies, manufacturers and other stakeholders involved in the insurance restoration industry.

While many Americans vividly remember the destruction caused by two airplanes hitting the World Trade Center towers in New York City on September 11, 2001, there are a number of RIA member firms that played a very personal role in the restoration efforts.

Earlier this year, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) notified the Indoor Environmental Standards Organization (IESO) of the approval of the IESO/RIA 6001-2011 Evaluation of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Interior Surfaces to Determine the Presence of Fire-Related Particulate as a Result of a Fire in a Structure.

Look for members of the RIA staff this year at many of the shows restoration professionals and other allied industry associations will be attending.

RIA's crown jewel certification, the Certified Restorer, has been in the first phase of its redevelopment since the beginning of 2011.

The RIA Board of Directors propelled the association toward the redesign and redevelopment of its flagship certification, the Certified Restorer (CR).

RIA is updating and revamping several of its major certification programs, will be introducing online training for technicians and is holding a special event focusing strictly on contents restoration.

On Sept. 15-16, the Restoration Industry Association will host a high-level program focusing on contents restoration geared specifically for the owners and managers of businesses in Chicago.

The 66th Annual RIA Convention and Exhibition will be sporting a facelift in Colorado Springs, Colo., in March, with expanded educational sessions addressing critical issues and four moderated, “Hot Topic” high-powered networking discussions.