When you find something that works, you stick with it. But eventually, you want to make it better. That was the plan of the ContractingBusiness.com HVACR Week planning team as they huddled together early in 2010. We knew it wasn't going to be easy to improve on the HVACR industry's best-loved, and we believe, most anticipated collection of HVACR shows in one location.

But improve on it we did. And when it was "Game On," the show was ready to roll, and HVACR contractor attendees were off and running.

HVACR Week, Sept. 22-24 at the Baltimore Convention Center brought thousands of HVACR contractors and manufacturers from all across the U.S. together for high-impact learning and networking. It was an event focused on positivity and growth, in an industry that’s been held back by an economic downturn.

"HVACR Week is now in its second year, combining HVAC Comfortech, the Commercial HVAC Contractor Symposium, and the Engineering Green Buildings Conference. It remains as the place where the HVAC industry meets," exclaimed Master of Ceremonies Mike Weil, Editor-in-Chief of host publication, ContractingBusiness.com, a Penton Media publication.

"HVACR Week creates an educational, networking, and product showcase event that truly represents all aspects of the HVACR Industry. It's new. It's now. It's here. This really is the place to be for HVACR professionals. HVACR Week attracts leaders from every corner of the industry. They're the movers and shakers who make HVACR go," Weil said.

Forget the Bad News and Move On
HVACR Week 2010 was about making a better future amid uncertain times, and grabbing up new ideas and methods to make HVACR companies prosper. Later, contractors couldn't wait to get home and attack the fall heating season like a child pouncing on a pile of leaves.

The three educational programs of HVACR Week — HVAC Comfortech (for residential HVAC contractors); the Commercial HVACR Symposium (for commercial HVAC contractors); and the Engineering Green Buildings Conference (for design, facilities, and consulting engineering professionals) — gave show attendees of every specialty many opportunities for hearing new business management ideas.

The aisles of the show floor included a large number of new exhibitors, and provided hundreds of products and services for HVACR contractors to add to their installation and service inventories.

Taking the Time to Learn
Attending HVACR Week requires a commitment. However, time off for learning is the top priority for many successful HVACR contractors, and HVACR Week provides a boatload of help. Just ask Pat Nugent, president of John Nugent & Sons, McLean, VA.

"We're here to improve our company, by staying up-to-date on cutting-edge ideas," Nugent said. He closed the company for one entire day, and brought 50 employees to the Friday events.

"I want our dispatchers, and others who have to talk to customers, to know what these products are all about," he said.

"We're here to learn about the next big idea," said Pat Nugent's brother, Steve, who added that the Nugent company became a regional leader in geothermal systems, thanks to presentations at HVAC Comfortech.

"The things we learn at HVAC Comfortech differentiate us from the competition, during those meetings with a family around the kitchen table," said Nugent & Sons employee Mike Jackson.

"There's lots of education here," agreed Ramon Hernandez, president, R&R Mechanical, Philadelphia, PA, who came to the show with a group of contractors associated with ABCO Supply. Hernandez then issued an invitation to his fellow contractors: "Come to HVACR Week, get to meet people who can help you build your business, and learn more about what's out there for business owners and technicians," Hernandez said.

Mike Eruzione Shoots and Scores!
The U.S. Olympic Team's Gold Medal victory in 1980 was recently named the most signficant sporting event of the 20th century by the editors of Sports Illustrated.

Show attendees relived the pride and glory of that event all over again, during a lively and poignant keynote address by team captain, Mike Eruzione.

Eruzione's speech was peppered with concrete analogies relating sports to business. From start to finish, Eruzione deliverd one life-lesson zinger after another, squarely into the net.

"I've never met a person in my life who was successful because they were lucky. Success is a result of the time and effort you put into it," Eruzione said.

"People and companies are successful because they believe in old-fashioned values. They have a work ethic, pride, commitment, and respect. They're not afraid to come to work each day, and roll up their sleeves, with the goal of being the best.

"When you're in an atmosphere where everyone believes they can accomplish anything, that's a great place to be," Eruzione said. "Have fun. Enjoy what you're doing. Understand how you're going to persue your goals: through time, effort, and work."