Get Ready to Pop Bubbles at the RIA 2025 Convention with The 5050 Challenge!

Are you ready to shake things up at the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) 2025 Convention and Industry Expo in West Palm Beach, Florida, from April 28-30? The DYOJO Podcast and C&R Magazine are thrilled to unveil the 5050 Challenge—a fun, engaging, and industry-uniting initiative that’s about to take networking to the next level! If you haven’t heard of the #5050Restore challenge, buckle up because this is going to be exciting!

What is The 5050 Challenge?

Dreamed up by Jon Isaacson, host of The DYOJO Podcast, the 5050 Challenge is all about bursting bubbles and building connections in the property restoration and insurance industry. Last year, Jon tested the waters, and now we’re going BIG at RIA 2025! The goal? Meet 50 new people from 50 different states (or as many as you can!) during the convention. It’s a chance to step out of your comfort zone, pop those industry cliques, and welcome new faces—whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time attendee.

Why does this matter? The RIA Convention broke records last year for attendance, with a huge wave of first-timers joining the ranks. The 5050 Challenge is your ticket to embracing the incoming generation of contractors, sharing wisdom, and forging new relationships that could spark collaborations, ideas, or even lifelong friendships. Plus, you might just win some awesome swag in the process!

How The 5050 Challenge Works

We’ve made it super easy (and fun) to join the challenge:

1. Grab a 5050 Challenge Postcard: At the convention, pick up your special postcard. One side features a U.S. map to track the states you’ve covered, and the other has space to jot down the names of the new folks you meet.
2. Meet & Connect: Challenge yourself to meet 50 people from different states. Strike up a conversation, share a laugh, and exchange ideas. Whether you’re a veteran restorer or a newbie, this is your chance to expand your network.
3. Snap & Share: Take a selfie with your new connection and post it on social media with the hashtag #5050RestoreChallenge. Spread the word and inspire others to join the fun!
4. Submit for Swag: Fill out your postcard, drop it off at the designated spot, and you’ll be entered into a raffle for exclusive prizes. The more names and states you collect, the closer you get to networking glory!

Why You Should Join The 5050 Challenge 
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The restoration industry is tight-knit, but let’s be real—we all gravitate toward our familiar groups. The 5050 Challenge is a reminder to break out of those bubbles. As Michelle Blevins, owner of C&R Magazine, puts it, “This is a good challenge because we do kind of all go into our groups. The industry is so small, so if you walk into a room, you can see where the groups of friends are. I’m certainly guilty of that.”

For industry vets, it’s a chance to mentor and welcome newcomers. For first-timers, it’s an opportunity to push boundaries and connect with the pros you’ve read about in C&R Magazine or heard on The DYOJO Podcast. And for everyone, it’s a way to make the RIA Convention unforgettable.

Jon Isaacson sums it up perfectly: “Those of you that have been in the industry, get out of your bubble. Meet some new people. Embrace the incoming contractors and generations. And those of you that are new, keep pushing people to burst their bubbles. Pop bubbles. That’s what we’re trying to do.”

Why C&R Magazine and The DYOJO Podcast?

C&R Magazine, the oldest trade publication in the cleaning and restoration industry, and The DYOJO Podcast, the go-to resource for shortening your “DANG learning curve,” are proud to team up for this initiative. Both are passionate about elevating the industry through education, advocacy, and community. C&R delivers cutting-edge insights from industry thought leaders, while The DYOJO Podcast brings practical tips and stories to help contractors thrive. Together, they’re the perfect duo to launch a challenge that’s as fun as it is impactful.

Join The DYOJO and C&R Magazine at RIA 2025!
The RIA 2025 Convention and Industry Expo is the premier event for property restoration and insurance professionals to network, learn, and grow. With the 5050 Challenge, you’ll make the most of every moment—meeting new people, winning swag, and leaving with a network that spans the country.

So, are you ready to pop some bubbles? Mark your calendars for April 28-30, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Florida. Grab your ticket, follow #5050RestoreChallenge on social media, and get ready to connect like never before. As Jon would say, “Skibbidy, restorers!” Let’s make this convention the most connected yet.
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For more details on the RIA 2025 Convention, visit convention.restorationindustry.org. To dive into industry insights, check out C&R Magazine at candrmagazine.com and tune into The DYOJO Podcast at thedyojo.com/podcast. See you in Florida!