AHR Expo 2008: Start Spreading the News
I’m leaving today. I want to be a part of it . . . Yes ladies and gentlemen, we’re off to New York City, the city that never sleeps. And sleeping will definitely be in short supply at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center from January 22 to 24, 2008. That is when the HVACR industry gathers for the annual Air-conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration (AHR) Exposition.
This year, the Expo is painting the town green with a large array of new, energy efficient “green” products on display. According to show management, more than 1,800 exhibitors from around the world will be showcasing the very latest products and technologies — a record over previous Northeast HVACR events.
In fact, for those of you who like statistics, this year’s event has more than 352,000 sq.ft. of space contracted for, which is bigger than the landmark AHR show in Philadelphia in 1997. It’s 20% larger that the 2002 Atlantic City show, and 32% bigger than the AHR Expo which was last held in New York in 1991.
AHR management believes this bodes well for the expo to set a new attendance record in 2008 and is predicting that this event will be the biggest one in the show’s history.
OK — enough statistics — how about some details?
The 2008 product showcase is divided into 11 product categories which include:
- Control and Automation
- Cooling
- Heating
- Indoor Air Quality
- Machinery
- Miscellaneous
- Plumbing
- Refrigeration
- Software
- Tools & Instruments
- Ventilation
In addition to the product showcase, the Expo offers a number of free educational seminars that address green issues. The seminars are presented by several of the Expo’s endorsing associations and include:
- GreenSpeak: Understanding the Language and Concepts
- Going Green: Reducing Emissions and Operating Costs in Commercial, Industrial, or Process Heating Applications
- Going Green and the Plan-and-Spec Representative.
Plus, the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) will include several green sessions as part of its educational program.
These include:
- Successful Solar Applications
- Intro to Green Buildings and Sustainable
There will also be a “Zero” Energy Buildings exhibit, a seminar cosponsored by the EPA and Energy Star showing how they can help customers on the road to green sustainable buildings; an exhibit on utility-based energy savings programs and incentives presented by NYSERDA (New York Energy Research and Development Authority); and green informational booths sponsored by the Green Mechanical Council and the U.S. Green Building Council.
Yes ladies and gentlemen, it’s big. And it’s green. And you’ll need a big plan to see everything you want. That’s why we sent out our At-A-Glance planner bundled with the December issue. And that’s why, on the following pages, we’ve identified some companies that we think are particularly worth visiting.
Be sure to stop by the Contracting Business booth (number 756) and pick up a spare At-A-Glance, if you need one, or check in with one of our editors, or stay for a demonstration of the industry’s largest online discussion forum — HVACTalk.com.
Of course, the AHR Expo is cosponsored by ASHRAE and the The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). You can check out ASHRAE’s course schedules at www.ashrae.org/events/page/1302.
Obviously this is just a sampling of what the show has to offer. For additional information, visit www.ahrexpo.com.
And then start singing . . . I want to wake up in a city that doesn’t sleep, And find I’m king of the hill, top of the heap . . .