NEW YORK ¡ª Following a 17-year hiatus, AHR Expo will return to the Jacob Javits Convention Center here for the 60th edition of the world¡¯s largest HVACR exclusive event on Jan. 22-24, 2008.

Drawing from the nation¡¯s largest concentration of contractors, engineers, distributors, wholesalers and manufacturers, AHR Expo will offer thousands of industry professionals the opportunity to see hundreds of new products and technologies for the very first time. The Empire State region is both the biggest residential and commercial HVACR market in the U.S. and is currently experiencing a development boom rivaling that of the 1950s. With the nation¡¯s largest concentration of Fortune 100 companies, New York will attract many new exhibitors and visitors who haven¡¯t attended AHR Expo in recent years.

According to a recent study by The Freedonia Group, the demand for HVAC equipment is expected to grow to $14.5 billion by 2009. This growth will be driven by the increase in non-residential construction and residential remodeling.

"We are delighted to be back in New York because it is a very strong marketplace for HVACR products," said Clay Stevens, president of International Exposition Co., which manages and produces AHR Expo. "At this time, over 1,500 exhibitors have reserved space, including 300 international companies from 30 different countries."

The 2008 AHR Expo is on its way to becoming the largest HVACR Show ever held on the East Coast.

When asked to rate the importance of several factors in attending the show, visitors said:

¡ñ Finding new/upgraded products ¨C 92% ¡ñ Finding new suppliers ¨C 83% ¡ñ Opportunity to network ¨C 73%

The New York location is also expected to significantly increase an already strong international participation from both an exhibitor and attendee perspective. Traditionally, East and West Coast events attract a large European and Asian/Pacific Rim attendance.

The New York location was selected on the basis of size of the regional, industrial, residential and commercial markets, and concentration of HVACR professionals and suppliers.

In addition to receiving the endorsement of 28 leading HVACR industry associations, the Exposition is co-sponsored by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers and the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute. The Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Institute of Canada is an honorary sponsor. ASHRAE's winter meeting is also held concurrently with the AHR Expo each year.

The AHR Expo is produced and managed by International Exposition Co., Westport, Conn. Additional information is available at www.ahrexpo.com.