The Restoration Industry Association’s (RIA) 67^th-annual Leadership Summit and Industry Expo (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) came to a close March 29, capping three days worth of convention workshops, keynote addresses, breakout sessions and, of course, networking. Although attendance has yet to be announced, rumor had it that this year’s convention had about twice as many attendees as the 2011 event.

One point of interest on the final day of the event was a breakout session held by IICRC Board of Directors President Patrick Winters and board member Tony Wheelwright. As expected, the duo talked quite a bit about the recent name change at the organization.

“Our decision occurred after several months of deliberation about reviewing the various options,” Winters said, explaining that board members spoke with shareholders and stakeholders throughout the decision-making process.

“We really didn’t want to give up IICRC because of its 40 years and what it meant to the folks. An institute is one that grants certification, not an organization called ‘clean trust.’ People like the idea that when they get their certification, it comes from the institute.”

Hence the decision to swap back to the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification as the organization’s name and keep “cleantrust” as the service mark.

Full details of the transition will be unveiled at the IICRC Certification Council on April 22 and you can bet that we’ll be keeping you posted on everything IICRC as things progress.