Commercial Large Loss — From the First Call to Conclusion

Panel Presentation

What it is and why it matters. Most of our members handle residential restoration every day. Still, large commercial losses behave very differently — and that's exactly where contractors get overwhelmed, leave money on the table, or mishandle the claim. This session walks attendees through one realistic large loss from the initial call all the way to closeout, so they leave understanding the full sequence and the cast of players they have to coordinate. The takeaways I want every attendee to walk out with:

- How a large commercial loss differs from residential — in authority, documentation, scale, and risk.
- How to coordinate the web of stakeholders: multiple carriers and policies (building owner vs. tenants), cause & origin engineers, industrial hygienists, abatement, and specialty restorers.
- The operational realities residential work doesn't prepare you for — continuous on-site presence, running day-and-night crews, and managing power on a compromised building.
- Evidence preservation and subrogation — why the instinct to "clean it out fast" can destroy a carrier's recovery.
- Restore vs. replace decisions on equipment and machinery, where the biggest dollars live. 

Net value: it gives our members the confidence and know-how to take on larger, more profitable losses without getting burned — practical professional development that directly serves the membership.

Navigating Tectonic Industry Shifts in Restoration

Guest Presenter: John Barnes, CFP; Founder and CEO, Pendleton Street Business Advisors

The RIA Code of Ethics: Why Adopt Them?

Guest Presenter: Justin Woodard, President-Elect, Restoration Industry Association (RIA)

How Getting paid is a company strategy: identifying client intake process that supports, collection processes that help you get money in the door. 

Member Presenter: Katie Smith, Owner, PHC Restoration

A strong collection strategy begins with the right client. Katie Smith will discuss how to evaluate and prioritize leads, streamline client intake, use AI to accelerate communication, and build processes that improve collections and help get cash in the door faster.

The Foundation of A Solid Inspection - And Why Companies Get It Wrong

Member Presenter: Todd Sangid, Solutions Consultant, Docusketch

The initial inspection sets everything in motion. Get it right, and the documentation supports your estimate. The estimate supports the approval. The approval supports getting paid. Get it wrong, and you're chasing corrections at every step that follows. This session breaks down the practical, field-driven strategies that make the difference: capturing clear, complete documentation from the start.

AI Answers the New Search Question. How to Get into the AI Answer

Member Presenter: Jeff Carrier, Owner, Restoration Digital Marketing

This insightful session will cover how AI is transforming search and digital visibility. Jeff will share practical takeaways that create real impact in AI searches, explain how large language models (LLMs) work, explore how AI systems discover and cite sources, and outline strategies for getting your content included in AI-generated answers. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the evolving search landscape and actionable steps to improve their presence in AI-driven results.

Member Presenter: Brian Edlin, Managing Partner, Jordan Price Law Offices

Brian Edlin will review recent legal cases and developments impacting the restoration industry, highlighting key rulings and trends that restorers need to know to stay informed and prepared.