Survey predicts an improving economy, AHR Expo to provide a needed boost

WESTPORT, CONN. — According to a recent survey of more than 1,000 manufacturers, 70% of the respondents said that they expect the economy to be stronger in the first quarter of 2010. This bodes well for the 2010 AHR Expo in Orlando, Fla., this coming January as nearly 72% of respondents predicted that their customers will start buying more products in the first quarter.

In keeping with the optimistic outlook, 69% of the AHR Expo exhibitors believe their customers have been delaying purchases of new products and that this pent-up demand will result in more sales during the first quarter of 2010. Twenty-four percent of exhibitors expect sales to increase more than 10% and nearly 30% expect sales increases of 5-10% in the first quarter of 2010. Close to 25% of respondents expect a smaller first quarter increase of between 1% and 4% while less than 5% see a decline in sales.

“The timing of the 2010 AHR Expo should be very beneficial to the HVAC/R industry,” said Clay Stevens, president of International Exposition Company, the Show organizer, “in so far as it coincides with a significant revival in the demand for equipment, systems, components and services. We are expecting thousands and thousands of industry professionals from around the world to converge on Orlando in January to find the newest and most efficient products available anywhere.”

Stevens points out that the Southeast is one of fastest-growing areas of the country and a leading marketplace for the many green products and technologies that will be on display at the world’s largest exclusively HVAC/R exposition and conference.

The 2010 AHR Expo will take place Jan. 25-27, and will feature more than 1,600 exhibitors from around the world, showcasing hundreds of innovative new products to over 45,000 attendees and exhibitor personnel from nearly 100 countries. So far, show exhibitors have reserved over 310,000 net square feet of exhibit space.

Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) President Steve Yurek explained why his members are exhibiting at the 2010 AHR Expo. “Value has become the watchword of the day," said Yurek . "As consumers have less money to spend, they are looking for the best value for their dollar. The best value might not be the least expensive, and attending the Expo can help those who install HVACR products identify products or groups of products that can provide the best value for consumers. The ability to speak one-on-one with manufacturers all in one place makes the Expo itself a great value.”

A wide range of expanded pavilions and educational sessions will provide attendees with important insights into all segments of this constantly changing marketplace. Industry experts will also be providing valuable educational perspectives on such critical topics as building automation control, specialized climate control, radiant hydronic heating, solar and geothermal systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, building system integration, green building initiatives/sustainability, information technology business management, energy recovery and mold moisture control.

In addition, the show will also include special features that offer practical information, certification and in many cases, continuing education credits, which include new product technology theaters, building automation control showcase, the software center, various certification testing and more than two dozen educational sessions and workshops presented by AHR Expo and its endorsing associations. There will be more than 30 technical sessions and short courses presented by ASHRAE, many of which carry CEUs

The 2010 AHR Expo is endorsed by 31 leading HVAC/R industry associations and is co-sponsored by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers and the Air-Conditioning, Heating 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.