Annual Solutions Convention

ABOUT THE CONVENTION		CONVENTION SCHEDULE
REGISTRATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION		EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS
ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM		CONVENTION BROCHURE (1.1 MB PDF)
2006 CALL FOR PAPERS (PDF)		CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS		2005 EXHIBITOR LIST (PDF)

EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS*

A new range of specialty, high performance fabrics for upholstery have revolutionized the contract textiles and furnishings market. These new materials combine the aesthetics and comfort of fabrics, compared to more traditional high performance surfaces as vinyl, plastics, laminated and molded resin seating. The past decade has seen introduced high performance yarns, new stain resistant finishes, coatings and impregnated fabrics, fluid barriers and now nano-finishes. Martin Gurian will review how DesignTex evaluates performance, stain resistance and cleanability of such fabrics for demanding applications in sports stadiums, healthcare, restaurants, casinos, airports and transportation.

So called "green" or environmentally friendly design of fabrics, textiles, carpet and upholstery, plus their cleaning, are now established trends. Yet we also see common dry cleaning solvents and other chemicals disappearing from use due to concerns over health, toxicity or the environment. DesignTex is an industry leader in the design and engineering of environmentally friendly and sustainable or "green" fabrics, as presented by Martin Gurian. Similarly, Dr. Steve Spivak will review "green design" in new fibers, carpet, lower VOC chemicals and cleaners, plus professional cleaning and recycling. Melinda Burn will review the changing regulatory landscape for solvents and other cleaning products.

A number of new trends have been developing that require restoration professionals to stay on the cutting edge of microbial remediation. Bio-terrorism is a major issue on the minds of many these days. We'll examine some of the more common bacterial villains and discuss protective equipment and remediation options. We'll also take a look at fecal coliform bacterial testing following the remediation of sewage contamination, the impact the Texas Mold Assessment and Remediation rules on clearance testing for mold, and how to locate and address contiguous fungal growth.

Profit and overhead is one of the most significant issues impacting the bottom lines of restoration companies. Options for addressing this pivotal issue were outlined at the ASCR meeting in Philadelphia in mid-September. Now the talk is being translated into action. Owners and managers of restoration companies will have the opportunity in Palm Springs to hear about progress to date, learn more from the experts, provide input and perspective, and help formulate the plan for dealing with this pressing issue.

When it comes to leather, not all are created equal. There are aniline, finished, suede, pull-up and nubuck leathers, and each requires it's own kind of care and maintenance. Find out what type leather requires which kind of conditioning, what products are available, what you should know about color enhancement and color restoration, as well as practical cleaning concepts and restoration practices.

With all of the segmentation occurring in today's marketplace, professional carpet cleaners need a clear understanding of who their customers are, what services they require and how best to reach them. Gain the insight you need to maximize your resources and target your best customers.

This follow-up of last year's popular panel discussion will look at the predictions that came true and those that didn't, as well as the changes that have occurred in the past 12 months - for better or worse. We'll look at the major issues impacting the restoration industry, examine some of the new problems on the restoration landscape and hear from those whose come face-to-face with these challenges across the country.

Each year throughout North America, nearly 2 million patients contract an infection while in the hospital and approximately 100,000 die as a result. Our panelists will examine the magnitude of these infections, standard hospital practices, when special measures should be considered and how restoration contractors can market their services to address this specific remediation need.

Among the most courtroom-experienced mold attorneys in the country, Mr. Duffy practices throughout the U.S. on mold-related matters and has participated in litigating and trying a number of significant mold cases to date. He will outline and analyze the vast change in this litigation during the last year, and will forecast the future of mold and litigation. He will also discuss what he looks for when evaluating such a case, as well as what to do when faced with mold-related issues, claims and litigation.

Restoration professionals constantly face situations that require them to provide quality work while protecting the health and safety of building occupants. This interactive presentation will provide an overview of the differences between project specifications, scopes of work and workplans, discussing the issues that need to be included in each document, as well as the basic concepts and guiding principles. Project staging, sequencing, case studies and utilizing a team approach will also be addressed.

Find out what's new in the world of textiles and carpet. How are companies handling the changing market? What are the up- and down-sides of package programs and how effective are they? Hear from those who realize that tomorrow's success depends on meeting today's challenges.

When the hurricanes hit Florida last summer and damaged every one in five houses, workers from across North America converged on the area to lend their equipment and expertise to the effort. You'll hear about their experiences ranging from those of a sole proprietorship to a large, multi-national corporation. What were the greatest challenges, how did they meet them, what did they do right and how can they better prepare for the next hurricane season?

* Seminars as scheduled at press time. Topics and speakers may be subject to change.