It’s going to be an exciting season in the hurricane protection industry. The U.S. weather specialists are forecasting a very active hurricane season this year in the Atlantic. The annual forecast for 2007 by the team at Colorado State University predicts 17 named storms could form, of which nine could become hurricanes with a high likelihood to strike the Caribbean or U.S. coasts. The likelihood of a hurricane hitting the U.S. coast is more than 70 percent.

Hurricane Protection magazine has taken many steps already this year to prepare you for the upcoming hurricane season. The first came back in February with our sponsorship of the NextGen Demonstration Home at the International Builder’s Show in Orlando, FL (see page 38). The 2007 First to the Future home was the first ever two-story NextGen home erected in the outside exhibit area of the show. The home was built to the Institute of Business and Home Safety’s (IBHS) Fortified . . . for safer living® standard and designed to raise national awareness for the need to build more disaster-resistant homes. It was a huge success with more than 21,000 builders visiting the home over the four-day show, which attracted more than 103,000 building professionals overall. Hurricane and storm protection once again proved to be popular among the more than 300 product categories presented to exhibitors as many launched new products within our vital industry.

The next step for preparation will come at the 5th Annual World of Hurricane Protection Trade Show and Conference, which is produced by Hurricane Protection magazine. The show and seminars will take place on May 10 and 11 at the Tampa Convention Center in beautiful downtown Tampa, FL. Click here for a complete schedule with seminars and speaker information.

The World of Hurricane Protection is the major event in our industry and gives us the opportunity to come together to view the latest products and technologies in our sold out exhibit hall, attend valuable information-packed seminars, and network with industry peers. The World of Hurricane Protection Trade Show and Conference is sponsored by International Hurricane Protection Association (IHPA), which will host its annual golf outing at the Westchase Golf Club as well as hold a general meeting and networking reception.

To register for this major event or for more information visit our Web site www.worldofhurricaneprotection.com.
See you in Tampa!

Kerri Caldwell