The 2000 Dri-Eaz Symposium, held in Bellingham, Wash. Aug. 4-5, featured speakers who gave an in-depth and well-rounded view into the different aspects of the restorative drying industry. The 2000 Dri-Eaz Symposium, held in Bellingham, Wash. Aug. 4-5, featured speakers who gave an in-depth and well-rounded view into the different aspects of the restorative drying industry.



The 2000 Dri-Eaz Symposium, held in Bellingham, Wash. Aug. 4-5, featured speakers who gave an in-depth and well-rounded view into the different aspects of the restorative drying industry. Claude Blackburn, president of Dri-Eaz gave an opening speech, Factors in the Restorative Drying Industry, where he talked about industry advancements and how proud he was to be a part of such an exciting and growing industry. Many other speakers not only gave presentations at the symposium, but also lead question and answer sessions at the end of their talks. These Q&A sessions gave attendees a chance to ask questions and discuss aspects of the talk that they found particularly interesting.

Symposium Covered It All

There were numerous topics covered at the symposium. From Moisture and Mold Inside Wall Cavities given by Vince Miller, Ph.D., Director R&D, Aerotech, and Understanding the House as a System by Jim H. White, System Science Assoc. to Sewage Damage – a Case Study given by Dick Driscoll of Mayhem and Mishaps. In addition, several panel discussions took place with topics such as What’s New in Building Materials, Factors in the Drying Process, and Surface Drying – Panel Discussion.

It wasn’t just all work and no play. On Friday, Aug. 4, there was an Expo Trade Show in a tented area outside of the symposium site with scrumptious appetizers, a no host bar, and demonstration booths set up by companies varying from Dri-Eaz to HydraMaster. A live band played and restorers mingled, talking shop and basically had a good time. A camaraderie was found between the restorers as they shared stories and tips.

Saturday, Aug.5, Claude Blackburn and Darrel Paulson closed the symposium with Looking to the Future, a talk about the future of the water restoration industry. That night, restorers enjoyed a delicious barbeque dinner at the Dri-Eaz 20th Anniversary Barbecue.

Darrel Paulson said it best in his speech entitled Your Professionalism. He talked about how restorers could improve their own business by sharing information with each other. Everyone seemed to agree and walked away not only having had a good time, but with a sense of community and a greater wealth of knowledge than they had upon their arrival.