This will be the last issue of the TIAC Times that goes to press before we meet at the 47th Annual TIAC Conference in August. Because the conference is scheduled a month earlier than usual, the marketing campaign to get people registered is now in full swing. We are confident that this year’s event will be a memorable one for a number of reasons. First, it is a rare opportunity to visit a fascinating province with a wealth of history and charm. Secondly, because this conference is being held in August when school is out, delegates have the opportunity to bring their families for a wonderful working holiday. And finally, as always, TIAC conferences provide a great opportunity to network with industry peers from all across Canada and the United States.

I am often asked, “Why should I attend the TIAC conference?” There is never a straight answer to that question because the conference means different things to different people. Some people use the conference to see places they may not otherwise think of visiting. Some like to meet people that have similar businesses in different parts of the country to share ideas about how to deal with the challenges they face every day. Some like to attend the information sessions to learn things that will help them in their businesses. Some like to use the conference to meet with potential customers or vendors. Some companies send employees to the TIAC conference as a reward or a thank you for their dedication to their jobs, while others like to take a working holiday and meet again with the friends they have made over the years from past conferences.

With such a diverse range of reasons for attending a TIAC conference, the challenge is to find the right balance between business and pleasure on the agenda. The conference committees and the TIAC board constantly strive to achieve a good balance and in doing so we hope to provide a little bit of something for everyone. If you have never attended a TIAC conference, this would be the ideal one to attend as a first-timer. If you haven’t been to a TIAC conference for a number of years, give us a chance to show you what you’ve been missing.

Be sure to “Go Green” and take advantage of our new online registration process and remember we now take Visa. Register early and book your room as hotel space will fill up quickly. The lower room rate categories are likely to sell out first so avoid being disappointed and reserve today.

On the business side of things, the TIAC board is continuing with the industry awareness campaign and we have made inroads in a number of areas. There will be a more detailed presentation on this subject at the conference in August. Notwithstanding the economic challenges that are before us, the last thing a company can afford to do is lose touch with what is going on within their industries, and the best way to stay informed about what is going on in the mechanical insulation industry is to attend the TIAC conference. I look forward to seeing you in St. John’s this August. 