PHOENIX, AZ, October 6, 2023—Nothing like a successful event to kick of the new HVAC show season. And that's exactly what Service Nation made possible, with its successful staging of Service World Expo 2023, October 2-6 in Phoenix, AZ.
Service World Expo, billed as the nation’s leading networking and training conference for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, remodeling, and residential home services professionals, convened over 1200 contractors and staff from across the United States to help spark a rebound from a surprising summer slump and prepare for upcoming business opportunities with the Inflation Reduction Act, AI, and more.
Now in its seventh year, Service World Expo has become firmly established as a must-attend event for heating and air conditioning contractors committed to continued growth and profitability.
The solid lineup of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and business training sessions across four available tracks based in part on business owner revenue level, provided contractors with incisive tools and takeaways to fuel their bottom lines and focus on the upcoming heating season.
Sessions of note included how to benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, as states such as Arizona begin to activate around the incentives available to consumers and contractors who serve them nationwide. Also, contractors learned how fellow industry peer companies are applying artificial intelligence (AI) in their customer service and other operations to streamline costs and improve business overall.
Forty-four topics were presented during the three day event, with no repeated sessions. Presenters were:
Victoria Cheshire, EverConnect: Homeowner Experience & Lead Generation
Carol Longacre, Service Nation: Working with Family
Russell Robertson, Lisa Converse: Data Mining
Billy Stevens, Sera Systems: Outpacing Competitors in Home Service
Andy Hobaica, Hobaica Services: Sell $5 million and Beyond
Rodney Koop, The New Flat Rate: Time to Rise with Motivation & DIrection
Cynthia Adams, Pearl Certification: Get Ready for Inflation Reduction Act
John Ellis, The New Flat Rate: Profitable Maintenance Department
Jim HInshaw, Service Nation: Winning Sales Strategy
Alyssa & Joey Rogers, Rogers Heating & Cooling: Little Things to Improve Company Culture
Tucker Yarbrough, Yarbrough & Sons: Recruiting & Retention "Field of Dreams"
Matt Koop, The New Flat Rate: The Service Call Lifecycle
Synergy Learning Systems: The Words We Share Matter
Gary Gauthier, International Code Council: The PMG Membership Council
Roger Daviston: Is Your Service Business Toxic?
Tracy Johnson, Service Point Pro: Leadership Growth Multiplier
Ben Middleton, Daikin Comfort Technologies: Accelerating Change in the HVAC Industry
Rheem/Ruud: Rheem & Rudd Pro Partner Program
WaterFurnace: Geothermal Heatpumps to Meet Electrification Goals
Cornerstone Advertising: Tighten Up Your Marketing
Joe & Tawnya Strittmatter, Strittmatter Plumbing, Heating & AC: Why You Need a Cheerleader
Kim Martin, Service Nation Premier Coach: Cashflow Finances
Renee Lucas, LCS Heating & Cooling: Build Business Systems that Run Without You
Michelle Myers, Pink Callers: How to Use Trello and Other Apps
Emily Fleniken, Lemon Seed Marketing: Develop a Brand, So Marketing Doesn't Topple
Matthew Bratsis: Growth Mindset Contractor Panel
Todd Grzybinski, FTL Finance: How Lenders Assess Risk
Colleen Keyworth, Online Access: Contractor Marketing Do's and Don'ts
Lisa McCarthy, Out of the Box Technology: Listen to Your Financials
Jodie Hayes, Friendly: Why Invest in Onboarding
Janeen Norquist, Just in Time HVAC & Plumbing: Create Your Own Reality
Rodney Koop, The New Flat Rate: Pricing Strategies
Kevin Suarez, Lennox: Thrive During Electrification & Refrigerant Transitions
David Quam, Resideo: Not All Leads are Equal
Stephanie Postell: Implementing a Great Culture Plan
Aaron Ruddick, Reliable Comfort: Connect to Team, Manager Chaos
Tom Peregrino, Service Nation: Build a Culture of Excellence;
Tersh Blissett & Josh Crouch: Disruption of AI in the Trades
Jeremy Lowe, Service Fusion: Are Your Charging What You're Worth?
Eric Howarth: 25 Years in Home Improvement
Justin Deese: Service Management Myths
Joe Cunningham, SuccessTrack: Call-by-Call Management
Lou Hobaica: Maximize Your Profitability
Crystal Williams, Lemon Seed Marketing: Pivot! Pivot! Pivot!
Keynote speakers provided inspiring anecdotes and poignant insights, including actor and author Richard Karn, former Philadelphia Eagle and magician Jon Dorenbos, and entrepreneur and podcast host Tommy Mello, CEO of A1 Garage Doors, with inspiring words that apply to all service business professionals.
“Service Expo 2023 was another hit. Our goal is to create an environment where home services contractors of all shapes and sizes can network with fellow contractors, learn about new products and services, receive massive education, and of course, have fun,” said Tom Peregrino, President of Service Nation. “We’ve already received overwhelming, positive feedback and are looking forward to Service World Expo 2024 in Orlando.”
The show floor was active throughout the week, as attendees visited with what were just shy of 200 exhibitors, including leading industry brands Amana, Daikin, Ferguson, Goodman, Lennox, and Rheem, among others, many with services related to digital marketing, consumer financing, website development and software and soft skills, all of which are essential tools.
A golf outing was held on the Monday before the main event to benefit the Joseph Groh Foundation, established to provide aid to persons whose HVAC careers were shortened by a disabling accident. This organization is championed with great love and enthusiasm by consultants-at-large John and Vicky LaPlant. Generous contractors donated $92,000 to the Foundation, A 501(c)3 organization.
Alliance Day, presented on the Tuesday of show week, brought industry-leading marketing, sales, and business experts together to help contractors achieve greater profitability faster. Presenters provided best-practice insights on growing profit by 30 percent each year; creating a unique success plan; and building systems and processes to double business in two years. Presenter included Ken Goodrich, Lou Hobaica, Tom Peregrino, John and Vicki LaPlant, Bob Viering, and contractors appearing in panel discussions who took questions from attendees. There was also an awards presentation.
Contractors and vendors can visit ServiceNation.com for more information on Service World 2024.