Heritage & History

RIA Conventions Since 1950:

Past Presidents by Year and City:

RIA Heritage and History

Nov 12, 1946
Incorporated in New York as “National Institute of Rug Cleaners, Inc.” [NIRC] 
 
November 1949
IRS issued letter of determination making the association corporation a tax exempt organization under section 501[c][6]
 
June 28, 1950
New York corporation name changed from National Institute of Rug Cleaners to National Institute of Rug Cleaning [NIRC]
 
July 22, 1957
Letter from the State of Maryland State Tax Commission to National Institute of Rug Cleaning, Inc., acknowledging receipt of qualification application for NIRC (a New York Corporation) to transact intrastate business in Maryland as of the 7/22/57 date.
 
September 14, 1961
Incorporated in the District of Columbia as “National Institute of Rug Cleaning, Inc.”

1962
NIRC hires its first laboratory director, Col. James Rice

July 2, 1963
NIRC sells its publication The National Rug Cleaner to The Reuben H. Donnelley Corporation.

1964
NIRC launches The Voice publication

1970
NIRC introduces the E-Z Answer Guide flip chart
 
February 3, 1971
NIRC acquires NIFR (National Institute of Fire Restorers) from Martin L. King and retains King’s services. 

September 1971
NIRC adds several institutes under its umbrella:

• CUCA – Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Association
• DSI – Drapery Specialists Institute
• ICMC – Institutional Carpet Maintenance Council,
• NIFR – National Institute of Fire Restoration

 
January 18 1973
The Association adopts a new name: Association of Interior Décor Specialists, Inc.  [AIDS]

1976
Steven M. Spivak, Ph.D., is hired as a part-time technical director for AIDS.

1980
First Certified Restorer class is held
 
September 12, 1984
The Association adopts a new name: Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration, Inc. [ASCR]
 
February 1, 1985
Virginia State Corporation Commission issued a certificate authorizing Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration, Inc., a NY corporation, to transact business in the State of Virginia
 
December 1, 1988
ASCR moved from Falls Church, VA to Annapolis Junction, MD
 
1995
WLI, the Water Loss Institute, is formed.
First WLI conference is held in Pittsburgh, PA.

1997
NIFR renamed to become the National Institute for Disaster Restoration (NIDR)
Mechanical Systems Hygiene Institute (MSHI) is formed

October 1998
ASCR launches Referenced Carpet Care Program

1999
ASCR moves from Annapolis Junction, MD to Millersville, MD.

May 2000 
The Water Loss Specialist advanced certification is launched with the first WLS course in Kansas City, MO.

July 21, 2000
ASCR re-incorporates as a Maryland nonprofit organization and establishes a nonprofit educational foundation.

2003
Association publishes the Best Practices Guidelines for Mold Remediation and the UK edition of Guidelines for Fire and Smoke Damage Repair.
 
January 26, 2006
ASCR office is moved from Millersville, MD to 9810 Patuxent Woods Drive, Suite K, Columbia, MD.
 
February 2006
The Association endorses Insurance Consumer Freedom of Choice legislation introduced in Colorado General Assembly. Association President Spiegel travels to Colorado to deliver testimony on behalf of the damage repair industry.
 
March 2006
Board of Directors and Foundation Trustees embark on program to streamline and improve the governance of both organizations.
Board initiates a program to stop unauthorized usage of Association and Foundation trademarks.
 
July 25, 2006
RIA Councils restructured to focus on policy-level activities.
Volunteer Policy on Confidentiality and Conflicts of Interest is adopted
 
February 16, 2007
The Association adopts a new name: Restoration Industry Association, Inc. The Foundation adopts trade name of RIA/ASCR Foundation.
 
May 2007
Governor of Colorado signs into law the first Insurance Consumer Freedom of Choice law.
 
RIA files trademark infringement litigation against Certified Restorers Consulting Group, LLC and six individuals for misusing the association's common law trademark CERTIFIED RESTORER (SM) as part of a company name.
 
July 2007
RIA Board adopts as an interim policy a guideline for the development of standards and industry guidelines.

March 2008
RIA introduces the Industry Guide & Recommended Practice for Rug Cleaning and Cost Accounting Issues for Damage Repair