WESTPORT, CONN. — The products judged to be the most innovative among the thousands on display at the 2003 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition will be recognized in the inaugural AHR Expo Innovation Awards.

Designed to encourage product innovation, the competition is jointly sponsored by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers; the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute; and International Exposition Co., producers and organizers of the AHR Expo, which will be held Jan. 27-29 in Chicago.

The Innovation Award will be given to the winning product in each of seven categories on display:

• Heating;
• Cooling;
• Refrigeration;
• Ventilation;
• Indoor air quality;
• Energy management; and
• Tools, instruments and software.

A panel of judges will review all submissions and select the seven winners. The judges will evaluate entries for innovation, application, value to user and market impact. Only one product per company has been submitted under contest rules.

The awards will be presented to winners Jan. 26 at the AHR Expo media reception. Winners will receive special placards to place in their booths as well as an award to be displayed at their company headquarters.

According to show management, the awards will encourage product innovation as well as provide vocational school scholarships for HVACR students. Proceeds from the entry fee will go to an HVACR scholarship fund at a Chicago-area vocational school.

“As the major trade show for the HVACR market, people look to the AHR Expo to provide leadership and be on the cutting edge of all aspects of the industry,” said Clay Stevens, IEC president.

The event is open to contractors, engineers, distributors, wholesalers, manufacturers, architects, builders, industrial plant operators, facility managers, agents and representatives.