STATS REFLECT RESURGENCE Industry poised for growth

The2023 AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) in Atlanta, GA, held February 6 to 8, hosted 42,794 verified visitor and exhibitor personnel, 1,779 total exhibitors, and filled more than 486,000 square feet of exhibit space. While the numbers are still recalibrating from pre-Covid years, there was a strong showing of new products. Exhibitors focused on efficiency in both equipment and its delivery and maintenance, with several manufacturers offering parts kits and reduced stock keeping units.

Community And Communication

There is a growing sense of community in HVAC/R currently, say AHR organizers. This year’s AHR Expo set a goal to open new lines of communication between the communities that make up the whole industry. To that end, a panel series accomplished this by posing topics and questions to prompt discussion rather than seeking a solution. Attendees heard from heads of industry associations, trends experts, and stewards of the trade. In the session, HVACR State of the Industry Leadership Panel Discussion: Today’s Market, Challenges, Opportunities and What’s Ahead, leadership from AHRI, ASHRAE, HARDI, NCI and PHCC discussed gaps in the industry that need to be addressed in order to continue on a progressive path.

Attendees took advantage of the weather to explore and take in the sites including the SkyView Ferris wheel. Towering nearly 20 storeys above Centennial Park in Atlanta, it features 42 climate-controlled gondolas.

In addition to the panel series, the AHR Expo education program featured more than 200 free seminars, including new product and technology presentations, professional certifications, and continuing education courses. The headliner panel, HVAC & Social Media: Strengthening the Trade with a Community Mindset, was hosted by some of the industry’s content creators and trade mentors.

About The Expo

The AHR Expo was established in 1930 and is co-sponsored by ASHRAE and AHRI and is held concurrently with ASHRAE’s Winter Conference. The next show will take place January 22 to 24, 2024 in Chicago, IL. For more information visit ahrexpo.com.

Dave Hughes wins Carlson-Holohan Industry Award of Excellence

Dave Hughes is the 2022-2023 recipient of the Carlson-Holohan Industry Award of Excellence. Hughes is technical advisor, codes and standards, for the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH).

Hughes was recognized with the award during a presentation on February 6 hosted by Caleffi North America at the AHR Expo. The 2020-2022 recipient, Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr, training and education manager at Caleffi and a Mechanical Business columnist, presented Hughes with a replica of a Bell & Gossett System Syzer wheel, a circular slide rule which calculates the relationship between flow rate, temperature change and heat transfer rate.

Attendees flocked to exhibitor booths to learn about research and development efforts, core technologies and new offerings.

The award is presented every two years to a nominee with attributes including technical mastery and a passion for hydronic technologies, demonstrated leadership as an educator and mentor, and an aptitude for cultivating fundraising opportunities for industry causes.

By Kolyn “Coach” Marshall