Professionals from the field provide insight and education on current practices and industry trends The AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) has released the full schedule for the 2024 AHR Expo Education Program. This year’s program will feature more than 110 free seminars, a robust panel series lineup, new product and technology presentations, professional Read more
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Professionals from the field provide insight and education on current practices and industry trends
The AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) has released the full schedule for the 2024 AHR Expo Education Program. This year’s program will feature more than 110 free seminars, a robust panel series lineup, new product and technology presentations, professional certifications, and continuing education courses.
“The Education Program has grown into a true complementary asset to the show floor experience,” said Show Manager, Mark Stevens. “Inside exhibitor booths, manufacturers are displaying real solutions to improve the health of the industry, the professional work experience and to address the shifts in our wider society. As a bridge to the robust activity on the floor and attendee understanding, the education program will offer real discussions about real problems that are shared across the industry. We’re working to connect the varying sectors within our industry to deepen these conversations. By inviting our associations and community leaders to the table, we can spark important conversations that lead to smarter decision-making and customer engagement.”
The AHR Expo Education Program will provide an understanding of real-world application and practice in areas of niche discipline, as well as a broader discussion of topics relating to trends happening currently and on the horizon within the industry. Workforce education and open-form communication is an important factor as developments occur across the industry.
“Our manufacturers do a phenomenal job of displaying everything new to the market,” continued Stevens. “All the latest products and technologies, as well as solutions to nearly any issue attendees may encounter in their day-to-day professional HVACR efforts are there. The education program adds an added layer of understanding and knowledge building that supports what our manufacturers are bringing to market, and how professionals can work together to identify solutions throughout the full project cycle.” Attendees can expect the program to address a wide variety of topics and are encouraged to explore the full program on the website.
2024 AHR Expo Panel Series
2024 State of the Industry
In 2022, the AHR Expo launched a panel discussion among leaders representing every sector of the industry. As the first large event following the pandemic, the panel served as a recalibration of all that was happening across the industry as a result. The response was overwhelmingly positive and the benefit to the industry led to open communication throughout the remainder of the year. In 2024, Bryan Orr returns to moderate a state-of-the-industry update with leaders from ASHRAE, AHRI, HARDI, NCI, ASHB etc., regarding the current challenges, opportunities, and forecasts for the year ahead in HVACR.
Expected topics include changing regulations, the economic forecast including inflation and tariffs, the green transition, the supply chain, and more.
Speakers on this panel include Dominick Guarino, President & CEO of National Comfort Institute, Inc.; Ginger Scoggins, President, ASHRAE; Greg Walker, CEO of ASHB; Steve Yurek, CEO of AHRI; and Talbot Gee, CEO of HARDI. This panel will be moderated by Bryan Orr of HVAC School.
Heat Pumps, Electrification, and the Grid
This presentation will address how best to deploy heat pumps in retrofit projects while addressing two major barriers to electrification;
1. At the building level – how can we electrify w/o requiring costly upgrades to the building’s electrical infrastructure?
2. At the grid level – how do we electrify without stressing the grid by adding load in the peak utility demand periods?
Speakers on this panel include Mark Frankel, Chair of ASHRAE’s TFBD Heat Pump Working Group; Jon Heller, President at Ecotope, Inc.; Rand Conger, Johnson Barrow; and Sean Jarvie, Flow Environmental Systems.
AI, Controls and the Future of Technology in HVAC
This session will discuss the current and future roles of controls technology and artificial intelligence as they relate to HVAC and buildings management.
Speakers on this panel include Greg Walker, ASHB; Anto Budiardjo, CEO at Padi.io; Chad Langston, ABB; Charles Pelletier, Vice President, Product Management at Distech Controls; Darryl DeAngelis, Ebtron; and Stephen Holicky, Tridium/Honeywell.
Addressing the Workforce Talent Gap through Educational Partnerships
This session will discuss the impact collaboration with an educational institution can have on fostering a robust workforce. As we face an increasingly declining workforce, HVACR professionals can attune to provide supportive efforts to attract and maintain talent. The following topics will be discussed:
- Proven strategies to establish partnerships between education and industry that make a significant impact on improving HVACR, as well as hiring challenges, financial performance, and new hire retention
- How to find new talent that operations managers appreciate and are eager to hire
- How to build a culture that promotes technician retention and improves financial performance
- Understanding the types of partnership and how they make sense for your
organization - Realistic expectations and adaptability
- How and where to start as a professional or company
Speakers on this panel include Scott Shaw, President & CEO at Lincoln Tech; Alison Neuman, North American Workforce Development Program Manager at Johnson Controls; Brian Feilen, Lincoln Tech; Susan English, Senior Vice President of Career Services & Industry Partnerships at Lincoln Tech; and Jose De La Portilla, Senior Manager of Education and Training at Rheem Manufacturing.
Regional Updates: Refrigerants, Regulation and More
As an addition to the program this year, sessions highlighting trends, refrigerant and regulation updates specific to region, including but not limited to DOE, practices, equipment, as well as current and future projections in the region. Sessions in this series include:
- South/Southeast – Chris Forth, Vice President Regulatory, Codes & Environmental Affairs, Ducted Systems at Johnson Control
- Southwest – Jennifer Butsch, Director, Regulatory Affairs at Copeland
- North/Northeast – James “Jimmy” Abraham, Regulatory Affairs Manager at Bosch
FREE INDUSTRY SEMINARS
The 2024 show will feature more than 110 free sessions led by industry experts. Sessions will range from one to two hours and address some of the industry’s most pressing challenges and exciting opportunities. Attendees are invited to attend general HVACR-related sessions, as well as those specific to professional practice areas.
“The Education Programming is a means to learn trends, tips, and growth strategies for the professional and the business,” said Kimberly Pires, AHR Expo Education Program Director. “Our associations are in tune with what is current in their areas of the industry, and this program is the culmination of full industry learning. Our sessions aim to provide diverse perspectives from every professional and perspective in HVACR. The opportunity for shared insight supports healthy communication and growth within the industry.”
Attendees are encouraged to explore the full program on ahrexpo.com. Additional highlights for the 2024 AHR Expo Free Industry Seminar program include:
Contractors
- Contractor Marketing Do’s and Don’ts 2024
- A2Ls Are Here; What Happened to A3s?
- How Distributors, Contractors & Homeowners Can Prepare for Low-GWP Refrigerant Transition
- Price Increases, Inflation, the Economy… and What Your Customer Experience Can Do about It
Facility Managers/Owners
- Exploring HVACR’s Role in Facilities Management
- The Future of Home Services: How AI and Diagnostics Can Contribute to Business Success
- Key Performance Metrics for Energy and Facility Managers
Engineers
- Building Tomorrow’s Cooling Workforce: Navigating New Technologies and
Challenges - The Future of Home Services: How AI and Diagnostics Can Contribute to Business Success
- The Decarbonization Countdown: What’s in Store for Commercial HVAC Systems
- ACG Building Systems Commissioning Guideline Overview
General
- Navigating to a Greener Future: How Decarbonization and Innovation is Leading Our Markets
- What You Need to Know – A Closer Look at the Ongoing Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act Incentives
- Redefining Comfort: Decarbonization’s Impact on the HVAC Industry
- How Distributors are Maintaining Profitability Despite Regulatory Headwinds
CONTINUING EDUCATION
AHR Expo attendees have the opportunity to participate in professional development courses through ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI), as well as short courses/professional development seminars approved for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) that can apply toward maintaining P.E. licensure. Attendees are required to register and pay tuition fees in advance of the show and can do so either onsite or by visiting the ASHRAE registration website. Full-day courses account for six earned Professional Development Hours
(PDHs)/Learning Units (LUs) or 0.6 CEUs. All half-day courses are awarded three accredited PDHs/AIA LUs. Topics cover a wide range of industry subjects, including the fundamentals of the commissioning process, complying with the requirements of ASHRAE standards, laboratory design basics and beyond, optimizing indoor environments and more.
NEW PRODUCT THEATER PRESENTATIONS
Attendees are encouraged to sit in on exhibitor presentations in the New Product Theater. More than 145 presentations lasting approximately 20 minutes each are planned across all three days of the show. These free seminars will provide brief overviews of new product announcements and technologies that can be found in exhibitor booths on the show floor. Attendees are invited to follow up presentations with a visit to the booth for a more in-depth explanation and 1:1 interaction with products and representatives. These sessions are set to take place in special theaters right on the exhibit floor. No fee or registration is required.
This year, two 2024 Innovation Award winners will present, including:
Attendees can view the complete AHR Expo Education Program schedule, including the New Product Theaters, on the AHR Expo website. Additionally, attendees are encouraged to manage their show floor and education program agenda by creating a free MyShow Planner account and downloading the AHR Expo app.
The 2024 AHR Expo will be held Jan. 22 – Jan. 24 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. To register for the event, please visit the AHR Expo registration page.
By joining forces with Uponor, GF is set to become a global leader in sustainable water and flow solutions. To support this ambition, complementary businesses will be grouped together under one roof: the new division GF Uponor will focus on Building Technology, whereas the infrastructure and utility business will move to GF Piping Systems. Michael Read more
By joining forces with Uponor, GF is set to become a global leader in sustainable water and flow solutions. To support this ambition, complementary businesses will be grouped together under one roof: the new division GF Uponor will focus on Building Technology, whereas the infrastructure and utility business will move to GF Piping Systems. Michael Rauterkus will join GF’s Executive Committee and will lead the new division together with his Uponor leadership team.
After all conditions of the tender offer have been fulfilled, GF closes the transaction as of 13 November 2023.
To accelerate the implementation of GF Piping Systems’ Strategy 2025 and to further benefit from global megatrends, GF will start an ambitious value creation program to unleash the full potential of this acquisition. GF Piping Systems will focus on the industrial and utility business, providing its customers with sustainable leak-free piping solutions for numerous end markets such as microelectronics, water treatment, energy, chemical processing, marine, data centers or water & gas utilities. Uponor’s infrastructure business will become part of GF Piping Systems and will further strengthen the division’s portfolio to provide customers with combined solutions.
In the new division, GF Uponor, the building technology businesses will be combined to offer a complementary portfolio for safe and clean water, as well as energy efficient heating and cooling. The consolidation of complementary businesses provides an ideal platform to develop markets with high potential for both divisions. As the brand Uponor stands for high quality and innovation, it will drive growth in intelligent Building Flow Solutions.
These organizational changes will be implemented during the course of 2024 while GF will ensure operational excellence and business continuity to customers.
“We will continue to implement our strategy, and leverage powerful global trends, such as the need for safe and clean water, or more efficient energy use,” GF CEO Andreas Müller said. “On behalf of all my colleagues, I am happy to welcome Uponor employees and start this new chapter together.”
The kitchen sink being attendees, that is. PHCC CONNECT, this past October 25-27, was set up for one of those “best-ever” shows. Beautiful downtown Cleveland was the backdrop to very a good week of meetings, connections, site visits and much more. Oh, and the weather didn’t hurt either, with temps lingering in the mid-70s. RIDGID Read more
The kitchen sink being attendees, that is. PHCC CONNECT, this past October 25-27, was set up for one of those “best-ever” shows. Beautiful downtown Cleveland was the backdrop to very a good week of meetings, connections, site visits and much more. Oh, and the weather didn’t hurt either, with temps lingering in the mid-70s.
Mechanical Hub’s John Mesenbrink and The Family Plumber owner, Mike Prencavage, Jr. take the RIDGID tour.
RIDGID, Oatey, Moen and Merit Brass all call the “City that Rocks” home, or close to it anyway, and they each offered a bus trip to visit their respective HQs. Contractors visited their location of choice and all benefitted from their site visits.
The opening keynote, “Growth Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone,” was presented by a compelling Ken Carter whose story blew up on the big screen as “Coach Carter,” played by none other than Samuel L. Jackson. The story of his 1999 season as coach at Richmond High School is the basis for the film. Throughout his life and tenure as a coach, he has inspired and guided numerous lives of young men to reach their highest potential. His “no non-sense” approach to getting things done is the force that has sustained him to have the tremendous positive influence that he currently possesses.
One of the contestants of the Plumbing Apprentice Contest.
One of our favorite annual events at PHCC CONNECT is the Plumbing and HVAC Apprentice Contest. A total of 21 plumbing and 11 HVAC apprentices from across the U.S. competed for top billing. The Plumbing Apprentice Contest winner was Cody McDonald of Van Contracting, Inc. in Columbia City, Ind. He was sponsored by the International Code Council.
The HVAC counterpart apprentice winner was Jacob Lee of P1 Service in Lenexa, Kan. He was sponsored by RIDGID.
The plumbing apprentices were required rough-in a bathroom system. The set-up includes a toilet, sink and shower, complete with supply, waste and vent lines, plus cleanouts and extra features designed to test the contestants’ knowledge and skills. The test set-up includes a variety of pipe materials—cast iron, copper and PVC and corresponding joining methods.
A Bradford White AeroTherm heat pump water heater was on display during the Product & Technology Showcase.
The HVAC competitors were required to complete a written test, demonstrate proper brazing techniques and perform a hands-on diagnostic on an HVAC package unit, with system errors created by the Foundation’s contractor volunteers for the competition. The competitors also had to perform a pressure and leak test, demonstrate proper refrigerant recovery procedures and the ability to accurately take a variety of instrument readings.
Adjacent to these apprentices diligently working on their assignment, a Product & Technology Showcase buzzed with activity surrounding the lates in tool technology, kitchen and bath, and water heating and heat pump tech.
The kitchen sink.
Seminars and breakout sessions included a Government Affairs Update, Private Equity’s Interest in Plumbing Industries, DOE Standards for Water Heating Products and an Open Roundtable with Union Affiliated Contractors.
A strong session on Women in Industry: “Unlocking Potential and Breaking Barriers: Fostering Success for Women in the Trades through Gender-Inclusive Practices in Recruitment, Retention, and Engagement,” featured some of our personal friends, including Linda Hudek, LH Plumbing Services, Fairfield, Ohio; Ashley Martin, Executive Vice President, NIBCO; and Cassie Pound, co-owner of Quality Heating, Cooling & Plumbing in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Linda Hudek addresses a question from moderator Susan Frew.
In today’s ever-changing business landscape, strengthening the contractor/wholesaler channel is critical to survival. A recent general session at PHCC CONNECT drilled deep into the conversation. This session, “Collaborative Connections: Strengthening Supplier-Contractor Relationships for Success,” featured RobertGrim, Senior Vice President, Global Sales, InSinkErator, Mount Pleasant, Wis.; Scott Robertson, President, Robertson Heating Supply Co., Alliance, Ohio; Dan Callies, President, Oak Creek Plumbing, Inc., Oak Creek, Wis.; Kathryn Poehling-Seymour, President and CEO, First Supply LLC, Madison, Wis.; and JasonPritchard, Co-Founder, PriCor Technologies, Seattle.
From l to r: Robert Grim, Scott Robertson, Dan Callies, Kathryn Poehling-Seymour, and Scott Pritchard.
And many, many more worthwhile seminars were offered. In fact, PHCCCONNECT2023 education sessions had been approved by OCILB (Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board) for 19 CEUs.
A RIDGID afterparty at a brewery on the river in downtown Cleveland with some American Plumber Story stickers? Yes, Please! Here with RIDGID’s Becky Brotherton, the Hub’s John Mesenbrink (l) and Tim Ward (r) from the Appetite for Construction podcast, recorded a series of podcasts from the event.
So, mix in some fun nights out with Oatey, RIDGID and PHCC’s receptions “Ohio Night House of Blues” and its closing event at the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, and, of course, connecting with industry peers, and you had the recipe for one kick-ass event.
Next year’s PHCC CONNECT will be held in Birmingham, Ala. Of all places, I sure hope that words gets around about the event. It’s worth the time, but more people need to come experience it, Birmingham or not.
Vetter Plumbing, that is. If you’re ever in the Pacific Northwest, look up Doug Vetter, owner of Vetter Plumbing, Longview, Wash., and successful plumbing and heating contractor who has worked with the tools almost nonstop since graduating from high school in 1990. We recently rain into Doug at the pipe-cutting ceremony for Uponor’s Experience Center Read more
Vetter Plumbing, that is. If you’re ever in the Pacific Northwest, look up Doug Vetter, owner of Vetter Plumbing, Longview, Wash., and successful plumbing and heating contractor who has worked with the tools almost nonstop since graduating from high school in 1990. We recently rain into Doug at the pipe-cutting ceremony for Uponor’s Experience Center, and his passion for the trades is palpable.
Doug Vetter, right, has an infectious attitude, and enjoys living life like no one else.
In fact, you might say that young people searching for their true passion won’t likely encounter a more inspiring ambassador than Doug to a life in plumbing and heating.
There are, of course, a great many proud, highly accomplished professionals in this industry. But you’d be hard-pressed to find a tradesperson with a more robust and, at times, fearless outlook on life than Doug. He readily insists that much of this bring-it-on attitude derives from the sheer thrill of working as a service technician. “I just love my job,” he says over and over again.
For a small sampling of the sunny-side-up attitude Vetter brings to work each day, consider his morning routine of delivering doughnuts to the counter and warehouse staff at his favorite local supply house. Whoever heard of a plumber bringing free food to a wholesaler? “They have done lots of special stuff for me,” he cheerily reasons, “and, besides, it doesn’t cost that much.”
“My customers are always asking me, ‘Why are you in such a good mood today?’” he continues. “Well, when you contact me, we both know it’s not a social call. You have problems and fixing them may not be a ‘fun’ time for either of us. Why dump more stress on your situation by carrying a chip on my shoulder because I need to, let’s say, squeeze into your crawl space? Believe me, I hate crawl spaces. But being a plumber was my choice, and squeezing into crawl spaces is my job. That’s why you pay me.”
Doug willingly, happily, eagerly does his job 10 hours a day, seven days a week. But these are mere average—the actual totals could be much more in any given week. He would not have it any other way in a business that seldom lets him even slow down, let alone rest.
“I’ve never had a down time, even during the recent recession,” he says. “I just can’t say ‘no’ to people. That’s one of my downfalls and an issue with my significant other. But I love working.”
Back to the Uponor visit, Doug tells us that he is particularly proud of his tattoos, even the jaw-droppingly large U-P-O-N-O-R logo. Its six block letters span the full width of his back, left shoulder to right. Just as amazing: Every last ink mark strictly adhered to corporate style guidelines, right down to the correct shade of blue.
“I had a large blue Uponor sticker of the sort I put on my two trucks. I told my tattoo guy to put this exact thing on my back. He said, ‘Really?’ and I said, ‘Absolutely!’” Three grueling sessions over eight hours later, the tattoo was exquisitely in place and ready for show time whenever Doug decides to remove his shirt.
Why would he do something so “out there”? Why not? he shrugs. How better to express his unwavering loyalty to a brand he has supported nearly his entire career? “Uponor is the only brand I will put on my skin,” insists Doug, offering what is for him the ultimate compliment.
He fondly remembers his very first encounter with PEX more than 20 years ago, working for a Seattle plumbing wholesaler in the mid-1990s. Mark Walther — then a sales agent for the Portland-, Ore.-based Hollabaugh Brothers & Associates (still Uponor’s rep in the Pacific Northwest); and later a mentor for Doug when both worked at Merit Mechanical in Seattle—demonstrated the thermal memory of PEX with the familiar heat-gun demonstration that thousands have witnessed at countless trade shows over the decades.
Vetter’s work truck is radiantly heated.
“Mark said to me, ‘Watch this, Doug!’ After kinking the pipe in his hand, he used a simple heat gun to make that kink vanish in minutes. I will never forget that moment—it was the coolest thing, just incredible. Every chance I get, I love showing people the same demo with the heat gun.”
Doug readily embraces the problem-solving aspect of service work: “I love going into someone’s house, learning what’s wrong, explaining the situation in ways the customer can understand and appreciate, and then fixing the problem—and fixing it in the right way.
“I can’t just throw something together for a customer. I do my plumbing a certain way—the way I was taught all those years ago at Merit Mechanical, where I earned my journeyman’s license.”
As noted earlier, those young people you’re trying to steer toward a trade career won’t likely snag a first job with Doug, who has happily—defiantly even—worked solo for the vast majority of his professional life since starting his own business. Although, his wife, Liz, is going through her apprenticeship to join him as a licensed plumber in the business.
Vetter has a certain way of running his business. “I want my cords wrapped in a one-foot circle and put away in a particular spot. My truck, a big-box van, is spotless and organized a certain way, and I want to keep it that way. That one employee I had just couldn’t do it.”
Same thing for working with the tools, if not more so: “I’m not a hard ass, but my No. 1 job is to protect the health of my customers. If I fail to create a sewer-line joint properly, the customer will have a disaster. If I expand a pipe incorrectly, I’m flooding someone’s house. I do it right because my reputation depends on it, and my reputation is all I have.”
Another, equally critical facet of “Doug’s Way” is treating every customer the same—fairly and nicely. “Nobody, it seems at times, does customer service any more. For example: promptly calling someone back who has called you. I feel badly if a day goes by before my returning a call. Many don’t do it at all and think nothing of it.
“I was taught to treat people with the utmost respect, regardless of what they look like, where they’re from, or how much money’s in their pockets. I want to fix their plumbing, of course, but I also want to give them the best service they can get anywhere.”
Currently in his 50s now, Doug plans to work “until I just can’t do it any more”—before retiring to Puerto Rico, where he says the people are warm, the weather’s warmer, and the water’s warmest of all. Until then, he will stick to his 70-hour work week as a highly motivated service plumber who gladly shoulders more work than any one man should handle, despite doing no advertising or promotion other than word-of-mouth.
“I thrive on service work. I love the instant gratification of solving problems. I get up in the morning, hit the road to meet new people, and figure out how to help. Every job is different, and the days just fly by.”
https://youtu.be/MhqypPXJtxM?si=h-FhMaoiuUVe3c4w Frozen Tundra no longer. Mechanical Hub’s Hub on the Road series takes us to Lambeau Field. Lambeau’s mechanical contracting partner, Tweet/Garot, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Lambeau’s mechanical room, which serves as the epicenter for snowmelt, field heat, and HVAC, as well as its prefabrication facility in Wrightstown, Wis Read more
Frozen Tundra no longer. Mechanical Hub’s Hub on the Road series takes us to Lambeau Field. Lambeau’s mechanical contracting partner, Tweet/Garot, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Lambeau’s mechanical room, which serves as the epicenter for snowmelt, field heat, and HVAC, as well as its prefabrication facility in Wrightstown, Wis.