The restoration industry gathered on the Gold Coast last week with artificial intelligence, evolving standards and workforce resilience among the issues shaping conversations at the RIA 2026 Conference & Trade Show.
Held from 25 to 27 August at The Star Gold Coast, the event brought restoration professionals together for two days of conference sessions alongside a trade show showcasing products, services and technologies for the sector. The program also included a pre-conference AI workshop and a closing awards event.
Not surprisingly, AI emerged as one of the strongest themes across the program, reflecting growing interest in how emerging technologies could be applied to restoration businesses. The conference opened with an AI in Action for Restoration: Hands-on workshop led by Ben Cutler and Cat McGinn of Time Under Tension, which focused on practical applications including administration, quoting, reporting and customer communication.
Standards take centre stage
Notwithstanding technology, the conference placed considerable attention on standards and professional practice. The opening day featured updates from RIA, Standards Australia and the ME-094 Australian Committee, as well as an IICRC and an advocacy update.
The focus reflected a sector operating within an increasingly defined regulatory and professional framework. Sessions also addressed installation and repair standards for technicians, while business owners were given guidance on succession planning.
The second day returned to the subject through sessions on respiratory standards and biological hazards in the workplace before a panel discussion examined standards myths and misconceptions. The discussion brought together industry representatives to explore some of the common misunderstandings surrounding standards and their application.
People remain central
Workforce issues were also prominent, with the program extending beyond technical capability to consider the wellbeing of those working in the sector.
A dedicated Women in Restoration Breakfast provided an opportunity for industry members to connect, while mental health in the workplace was addressed in a dedicated session with Craig Hamilton.
The trade show ran alongside the conference sessions and provided attendees with an opportunity to explore the latest equipment, products and technologies available to the restoration market.
The event concluded with a cocktail party and awards ceremony, gathering the industry after three days of education, networking and discussion.
With AI and changing standards continuing to reshape restoration, the conference demonstrated that the industry’s future was being defined as much by its people and professional capability as by the technology entering the workplace.
