• Newsletter Subscriptions
  • Magazine Subscription
    • Terry McIver
    HARDI lunch crowd
    1. HVACRDB

    LIVE HARDI Conference Draws Over 1500 Attendees

    Dec. 28, 2021
    After cancelling the 2020 in-person conference due to the pandemic, members of the association were able to come back together for an in-person meeting.

    Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) wrapped up its annual conference in Palm Desert, Tuesday, December 7.

    After a cancelled 2020 in-person conference due to the pandemic, members of the association were able to come back together for an in-person meeting. The event welcomed 401 wholesaler attendees from 153 member companies for a grand total of 1,525 attendees from 578 member companies present at the event. The booth program sold out with 241 vendors participating.

    Terry McIver
    The HARDI 'Motion' conference welcomed 401 wholesaler attendees from 153 member companies for a grand total of 1,525 attendees from 578 member companies present at the event. The booth program sold out, with 241 vendors participating.
    The HARDI 'Motion' conference welcomed 401 wholesaler attendees from 153 member companies for a grand total of 1,525 attendees from 578 member companies present at the event. The booth program sold out, with 241 vendors participating.

    Popular speakers included Anirban Basu, Chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group and regular HARDI Market Intelligence contributor. Basu’s session, “The Chamber of Data” presented a Harry Potter themed presentation and why the industry will overcome these challenges and continue to grow next year. Another crowd favorite was communications expert, Ryan Avery. Avery’s session “How to Grow Your Leadership Team” presented attendees with useful tips and tricks to be a better leader and help keep their teams engaged.

    Terry McIver
    From left: Rusty Tharp, Goodman senior director of regulatory affaiirs; Karen Meyers, vice president, government affairs for Rheem/Ruud; and Chris Forth, vice president of regulatory, codes and government affairs for Johnson Controls, addressed the issues surrounding the adoption of A2L low flammability refrigerants and lower GWP gases into the HVACR industry.
    From left: Rusty Tharp, Goodman senior director of regulatory affaiirs; Karen Meyers, vice president, government affairs for Rheem/Ruud; and Chris Forth, vice president of regulatory, codes and government affairs for Johnson Controls, addressed the issues surrounding the adoption of A2L low flammability refrigerants and lower GWP gases into the HVACR industry.
    In addition to the main stage presenters, the conference featured several sessions that provided a look into HARDI’s 2021 State of the Channel report findings. The Voice of Supplier, Voice of Contractor, Voice of Technician and multiple refrigeration sessions gave attendees a look at the association’s yearlong research initiatives. The final 2021 State of the Channel report will be available in January 2022 for purchase and will provide a much more detailed look at top-of-mind industry matters and the HVACR market performance.

    HARDI also used the Annual Conference to introduce new Directors for 2022.

    • New Chairwoman of the Board: Rhonda Wight, Refrigeration Sales
    • Dale Norton, Meier Supply Co.
    • DeWight Wallace, Nu-Calgon
    • Randy Roberts, Rheem Manufacturing Co.

    The HARDI Board approved the addition of a second supplier member seat which will be added starting in 2022.

    “We were all very excited to put together such an impactful event after having to skip our 2020 Annual Conference,” said HARDI Marketing & Sales
    Terry McIver
    T.J. O'Connor, president of Farmington Consulting Group, provided an insightful look into the results of HARDI's 2021 'Voice of the Contractor' survey. Among the findings: recent product shortages and supply chain challenges are 'absolutely' altering contractors' distributor loyalty and branch loyalty. Watch for a full report in Contracting Business.
    T.J. O'Connor, president of Farmington Consulting Group, provided an insightful look into the results of HARDI's 2021 'Voice of the Contractor' survey. Among the findings: recent product shortages and supply chain challenges are "absolutely" altering contractors' distributor loyalty and branch loyalty.
    Watch for a full report in Contracting Business.
    Director, Chris DeBoer. “The chance to see members coming together and reconnecting was incredible. The number of conversations that took place and the amount of information sharing that occurred was also really inspiring.”

    Next year’s Annual Conference will take place in Houston, Texas at the Marriott Marquis, December 3-6, 2022.