This week on IAQradio we welcome an All Star cast for a frank discussion on the future of the restoration industry. Our guests were all speakers at last week's 71st International Restoration Convention and Industry Expo in Palm Springs, CA. They all gave important presentations or Keynotes at the Restoration Industry Association's (RIA) annual event.

The Town Hall theme for this year's event was "The Future of the Water Damage Restoration Industry" and was facilitated by none other than IAQradio's Restoration Global Watchdog Pete Consigli! The Town Hall was the culmination of one of RIA's convention story line's that included a breakout session moderated by Ken Larsen on the Do's and Don'ts of Rebates, Referral Fees, Comps and Gratuities with Peter Crosa and well known IAQ attorney Michael Bowdoin. Ed Cross was the convention's Day 2 keynote speaker and addressed the RIA members on "The 6 New Legal Points Restorers must Understand to Survive in 2017".

Crosa who is the sitting President for the National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters (NAIIA) presented the Independent Adjusters viewpoint on the Town Hall Panel. Well known industry advocate Ed Cross aka "The Restoration Lawyer" made his case for industry unification through one voice and closed out his Town Hall panel presentation with a message to band together, "Band or Burn" was the reoccurring message!

The RTPE program (Registered Third Party Evaluator) recently explained to RIA members at their annual convention in Palm Springs during their Town Hall meeting by Ken Larsen, CR, WLS, CMP may be a solution for contractors who are constantly challenged by TPA's on their scope of work and invoices. Longtime industry activist and RIA supporter Ken Larsen presented his vision for the RTPE program on the RIA Town Hall panel along with Peter Crosa, AIC, RPA and Ed Cross, Esq. Larsen has a 5 part series on the TPE concept that was previewed in the 2017 February issue of Cleaning and Restoration (C&R) magazine.

A high point of the RIA annual banquet and awards ceremony was the presentation of C&R's Golden Quill award won this year by IAQradio's own, Cliff "The Z-man" Zlotnik for his article on "Concerns over the Water Restoration Industry". The culmination of the ceremony was the awarding of the association's most prestigious honor, the presentation of the Martin L. King award. The 32nd annual recipient of the Marty King award was Ken Larsen for his years of service and activism to RIA and the industry! Way to go Ken!!