RPA cancels November RadFest in Portland, Ore., but kicks off Radiant Outfitters schools.

The Radiant Panel Association has canceled its RadFest scheduled for Nov. 2-3 in Portland, Ore.

"Although we still plan on having a West Coast RadFest in the future, the Portland event was slow to attract participation," said Lawrence Drake, RPA's executive director.  "With the event scheduled so close to ISH North America, the RPA wasn't able to devote the resources and promotion necessary to make this a success.  We would rather cancel the event than have a poor turnout."

As a short-term replacement for the RadFest, the RPA will kick off its new Radiant Outfitters schools in Portland Jan. 11-12, 2005.  PM columnist John Siegenthaler will be teaching the full-day courses.  The first day is Radiant Basics, which covers most of the basic knowledge needed to design and install radiant systems.  The second-day Radiant Precision course is an advanced school on hydronic controls.

These courses qualify for code-related continuing education units for journeyman plumbers and plumbing inspector certification in Oregon.

The RadFest scheduled for April 26-27, 2005, in Denver will still be held.