AARST_Radon_Reporter_Q32025_Single

ASSOCIATION NEWS THE RADON REPORTER | 3 Why I Never Miss the Indoor Environments Association Radon and Vapor Intrusion Symposium Every year, I’m asked the same question: “Why should I attend the Radon and Vapor Intrusion Symposium?” My answer is always simple, “Because it changed the course of my professional life.” From the very first time I attended decades ago, I realized there were three things I always walked away with: 1. Valuable networking 2. Essential knowledge 3. Business and personal development Those three reasons are exactly why I’ve never missed one since. 1. Valuable Networking Fuels Growth. When I was just starting out in the radon industry, attending the symposium introduced me to people who truly understood the work I was doing. These were professionals facing the same challenges I was: installing systems, working with clients, and growing a business in an emerging field. The hallway conversations alone were worth the trip. I learned what tools others were using, how they approached tough jobs, and how they communicated with clients. Over time, those connections turned into friendships and collaborations. They also opened doors: I became involved with symposium planning, industry standards, public policy initiatives, and eventually served on the board and as president of the association. None of that would have happened without the connections I made at this event. 2. Essential Knowledge Inspires Confidence. Early in my career, people would ask me, “Is radon really a big deal?” Thanks to the symposium, I could confidently answer with facts and scientific insight, not just from reading, but from hearing directly from experts. The scientists, epidemiologists, EPA representatives, and state officials presenting at the symposium deliver information that’s practical, research-based, and always up to date. Whether it’s the latest data on radon health effects, understanding vapor intrusion pathways, or learning the minimum standards and why they matter, the knowledge shared at the symposium strengthens our ability to serve clients better. It gives us the tools to explain the why behind what we do, and to do it with integrity. 3. Business and Personal Development With Lasting Effects. The symposium isn’t just about science and standards, it’s about running a better business. Every year, I walk away with new ideas: how to market more effectively, how to streamline operations, how to enter new markets like schools, multifamily buildings, or vapor intrusion mitigation. These ideas come from formal sessions, hallway chats, exhibit hall demos, and impromptu brainstorming with peers. The experience also re-energizes me. It reminds me of why I started in this field: to create healthier environments. The symposium gives me the clarity and drive to return home and improve how I serve my clients, manage my team, and grow my business. Final Thoughts: Why You Should Attend Without the Radon and Vapor Intrusion Symposium, I wouldn’t be where I am today. This event has helped me - and countless others - build knowledge, develop new skills, and strengthen our businesses. It’s where innovation is sparked, where policy is shaped, and where community is built. So whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned pro, I encourage you to attend. Learn from others. Share your ideas. Absorb everything, from the sessions to the side conversations. Then take it all back and use it to make your business stronger, your work more impactful, and your clients’ lives healthier. There’s no substitute for the connections, knowledge, and growth that happen at this event. Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of it. Your involvement in our association drives industry growth (and therefore your business) and saves lives. Letter from the President, Dave Hill