PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as IHPA president for the past year. This association has grown so much, and not just in numbers, but also in stature and accomplishments. The IHPA officers, directors and members should stand-up and take a bow! It is only with their hard work and dedication that this association continues its mission of representing the hurricane protection industry.

The IHPA strives to be the industry leader on all issues that affect the hurricane protection industry by unifying suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, engineers, architects, code writers and government officials. It works to provide quality hurricane protection systems, information and education to insure the public’s welfare and safety, therefore minimizing the loss of life and the destruction of property associated with a hurricane.

As an association, we look forward to 2008. We are proud of our many recent accomplishments: input toward preventing extensive hurricane shutter labeling and identification, leveling the playing field through mandatory permits and inspections, exempting hurricane protection from egress requirements via emergency escape option, and aiding in the elimination of internal pressurization design option. But there is so much more to be done.

The IHPA needs your support. There are always issues facing our industry: new product standards involving higher design pressures and more severe impact testing, uniform building protocols for coded areas and windblown debris regions, and quality assurance programs.

There are few guarantees in life or business. But here’s a few we can make: By joining IHPA you’ll be among the industry’s finest, you’ll be kept up to date on industry news and information that becomes available to us, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with others in your industry, you’ll have representation as codes and legislation that affect you are being promulgated, you’ll have a wealth of knowledge available to you and be among the proud members of the IHPA!

If you’re not already a member, we need you to be with us! You can become a vital part of the solution. We welcome your membership. Visit www.inthpa.com for more information and application or call our executive administrator at (561) 282-2395.

Bill Feeley

LET’S GET READY TO SCRAMBLE!
IHPA will hold is annual golf scramble on April 24, 2008, at the Shingle Creek Course in Orlando, FL.

The golf outing is being held in conjunction with the 6th Annual World of Hurricane Protection Conference & Trade Show to be held April 25 to 26 in the South Hall of the Orange Country Convention Center, Orlando, FL. Produced by Hurricane Protection and sponsored by the IHPA, this conference and trade show is the only event held solely for the hurricane protection industry. In addition to exhibiting the latest products, services and technologies from leading manufacturers and suppliers, the conference provides a schedule of seminars on topics such as building codes, business management, product approval and installation. Many of the seminars offer CEU accreditation.

To sign up for the shotgun start or for more information on the golf outing visit www.inthpa.com for details.
For information on the World of Hurricane Protection show visit www.hpmag.com or www.wohp.com.

FT. LAUDERDALE NEXT STOP FOR HPU, IHPA
Hurricane Protection University is headed to the Bahia Mar Beach Resort in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Thursday, February 7, 2008. The full-day event will feature two seminars, an IHPA General Meeting and conclude with a networking reception.

HP University (HPU) is produced by Hurricane Protection magazine and sponsored by the IHPA. To register, or for more information, visit www.hurricaneprotectionuniversity.com.

2008 Schedule for HP University and IHPA General Meetings:

• February 7—Bahia Mar Beach Resort, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• April 25 & 26—Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
• August 7—New Orleans, LA
• November 8—Southwest FL – location to be determined

IHPA HELPS SPONSOR FLASH FALL MEETING
IHPA participated and helped sponsor the October 30 to 31, 2007, meeting of the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) held in Atlanta, GA. IHPA board member Darius Grimes attended the event.

The successful meeting brought together 80 registrants including leaders from the fields of academia, business, government, nonprofit organizations and research.

The meeting agenda included Disaster-Resistant Building Products, New National Fire Protection Association Standards, and Miami-Dade and Florida Building Code Updates, which headlined the Technical Advisory Committee meeting.

Also, Steve Lyons, The Weather Channel’s Hurricane Expert, was the keynote speaker for the meeting’s luncheon.

Other sponsors included: International Code Council, Institute for Business and Home Safety, MetalTech, Skyetec, Simpson Strong-Tie and Wayne-Dalton.

FLASH’s mission is to strengthen homes and safeguard families. Its efforts make that possible for thousands of families each year.