The restoration world doesn’t revolve around trends, it reacts to disasters, responds to pressure, and rebuilds lives. But in 2025, a shift is underway that’s not about a single flood, wildfire or legislation. It’s about how the water damage restoration industry is redefining its identity, from reactive service to proactive infrastructure.
After decades of responding to the unpredictable, top water restoration companies are aligning with something much more deliberate: smarter training, cross-industry collaboration, and data-backed forecasting. The conversations happening at this year’s trade shows aren’t just about drying technology or drying timelines, they’re about long-term resilience, workforce intelligence, and turning emergency work into strategic response systems.
More importantly, these events aren’t echo chambers. They bring contractors, insurance adjusters, environmental scientists, compliance officers and tech developers into the same space to collaborate on what’s next.
So, if you’re still looking at industry expos as places to pick up brochures or shake a few hands, 2025 will prove you wrong. This year’s events are built to sharpen your edge, rethink your operations and connect you to the people shaping restoration’s future, not just reacting to its past.
In this guide, we’ll cover both major upcoming events and recently held conferences in 2025, highlighting what you can still register for and what you may have missed, but can still learn from. From the RIA Conference to ASD Certification and the PLRB Conference, here’s what matters in 2025.
Early 2025 Highlights: Insights from Past Events
Several major conferences took place in the first half of 2025, each bringing distinct value to professionals across the restoration industry:
- PLRB Claims Conference & Insurance Services Expo
(Mar 30 – Apr 2 | Indianapolis, IN)
https://web.cvent.com
The PLRB Conference once again proved why it remains a cornerstone for professionals intersecting insurance and property restoration. With sessions covering the latest claims technologies, litigation trends, and disaster response protocols, attendees gained practical tools to better align with insurers. For restoration companies working closely with adjusters, this event set the stage for 2025 collaborations. - Verisk Insurance Conference U.S. 2025
(Apr 7 – 10 | Orlando, FL)
https://events.verisk.com
With an emphasis on data-driven property analysis and risk modelling, Verisk’s annual gathering helped top restoration companies understand how to better integrate with the insurance ecosystem. From predictive analytics to fraud detection technologies, water restoration companies learned how claims data impacts their margins and timelines. - The Experience Conference and Exhibition
(Apr 8 – 10 | Punta Gorda, FL)
https://www.randrmagonline.com
Geared toward hands-on restoration training, this event focused on practical skill development—particularly beneficial for technicians. Workshops included live water extraction demos, moisture mapping, and a focus on mold remediation. It was also a major hub for those looking to complete or renew their ASD certification. - International Restoration Convention & Industry Expo
(Apr 28 – 30 | West Palm Beach, FL)
https://convention.restorationindustry.org
Hosted by the Restoration Industry Association (RIA), this flagship event combined leadership panels, advocacy updates, and technology showcases. Attendees got early previews of industry reports, networked with the top restoration companies, and explored evolving challenges in workforce development and compliance.
Upcoming Mid-Year Opportunities: Still Time to Join
If you missed the spring wave, the summer lineup is equally compelling, especially for companies looking to improve operational resilience or explore new vendor partnerships:
- Access National Conference
(May 5 – 7 | Orlando, FL)
https://www.accesseventsnow.com/home
Access focuses on innovation at the crossroads of logistics, data, and emergency services. While not exclusive to water damage restoration, it offers key insights into document recovery, records management, and digital transformation, all of which have become increasingly relevant to property restoration firms. - Contractor Connection RESTORE
(May 19 – 21 | Louisville, KY)
https://www.candrmagazine.com
A must-attend for restoration companies working within insurance referral networks. RESTORE emphasizes performance metrics, customer satisfaction, and technology adoption. The 2025 theme revolves around restoring trust and resilience in high-stakes restoration projects. - The Future of Insurance USA 2025
(Jun 12 – 13 | Chicago, IL)
https://events.reutersevents.com
If your company wants to stay ahead of how insurance carriers are thinking about climate change, AI and customer engagement, this is the place to be. Forward-thinking water damage restoration companies can use this event to align their offerings with carrier expectations.
Fall 2025: Major Events to Close Out the Year
As budgeting and strategic planning ramp up for 2026, fall conferences help professionals reflect, recalibrate, and renew partnerships:
- Proven 2025 – The PSA User Conference
(Aug 3 – 5 | Austin, TX)
https://canamsys.com
If your team uses PSA for job management or scheduling, this is one of the most practical conferences you can attend. It’s about getting more value out of the tools you already rely on. Attendees share what works for them and where they’re struggling, so you’re not just hearing from product reps, but also from peers who use the system in real-world scenarios. - Core Collective
(Aug 6 – 8 | Austin, TX)
https://www.thecollectivebycore.com
This event has a different energy. It’s about real conversations on leadership, company culture, and doing meaningful work in the restoration field. If you want to recharge your mindset and think long-term about where your company is going, it’s worth attending. - The Experience Convention and Trade Show
(Sep 3 – 5 | Las Vegas, NV)
https://www.randrmagonline.com
This fall edition dives even deeper into equipment, science, and processes. It’s especially useful for teams evaluating new tools or training new staff. The expo floor is packed with vendors, but what sets it apart is how much of it you can actually test, touch and try. - ITC Vegas
(Oct 14 – 16 | Las Vegas, NV)
https://vegas.insuretechconnect.com
Although ITC Vegas is mainly known as an insurtech event, it’s drawing more restoration professionals each year and for good reason. The tools on display, like automated claims platforms, AI-driven customer portals, and remote inspection tech, are quickly becoming part of how property restoration is managed. If you want a preview of what insurers will be expecting from restoration companies in the near future, this is the event to watch.
Certification & Learning Tracks to Watch For
Throughout the year, many of these events offer optional certification courses or continuing education tracks:
- Look for ASD certification opportunities at both Experience events.
- The RIA Conference and Core Collective often include workshops focused on leadership and compliance.
- Several trade shows feature courses eligible for IICRC CE credits, which are essential for maintaining credentials in water damage restoration.
