H urricane Protection magazine and the International Hurricane Protection Association (IHPA) sure have been busy this hurricane season—and it’s only half over!

    HP magazine and the IHPA have taken our efforts to increase readership and membership on the road this year participating in a number of trade shows, conferences and events. We started the year at the International Builders’ Show in January and from there it has been on to the National Hurricane Conference, Gulf Coast Reconstruction Summit, World of Hurricane Protection Trade Show & Conference (sponsored by the IHPA and produced by HP magazine), Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) and the Aluminum Association of Florida (AAF) Trade Show just to name a few. We also will join forces this September at the International Code Council (ICC) Annual Conference to sponsor a new addition to its expo: the Hurricane Protection Zone (see page 16). This important area will feature products and services to make homes and buildings safer during hurricanes and other high-wind disasters.

    These efforts are paying off for IHPA, which means real benefits to homeowners in high-risk coastal regions of the United States. IHPA has more than doubled in size this year with membership nearing the 200 mark. If you are part of the hurricane protection industry (manufacturer, dealer, builder, installer, service provider, government agency) and not a member of this important association we recommend you join today. IHPA is dedicated to the hurricane protection industry by brining together the suppliers, contractors, engineers, architects, code writers and officials to provide information, educate and advise this vital industry in all facets of hurricane protection. To find out how you can be a part of the IHPA visit its Web site at www.inthpa.com.

    It is important to educate and inform yourself on all the happenings within the industry. As we stated, we’re only halfway through the 2006 season with the most active part still ahead. And here’s some interesting news: At least one leading expert in the field (the Colorado State University hurricane forecast team) has lowered its expectations of how many hurricanes we can expect this year from 9 to 7. However, the CSU team says conditions still call for an above average season (see page 26) and, as we all know, it just takes one!

    One final note: Mark your calendars for the 2007 World of Hurricane Protection Trade Show and Conference, which will take place May 10 & 11 in Tampa, FL.

Howard Shingle EDITOR

Kerri Caldwell PUBLISHER