The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), Arlington, VA has launched an ambitious new program to address the issues that will impact contracting business owners over the next three to six years. The "Tomorrow Project" is a joint contractor/manufacturer initiative designed to identify strategic, long-range issues and concerns that will have a high impact on business and technology, determine the best approach to resolving those issues that are the most pressing, and position the HVACR industry to develop and implement business plans in response to emerging marketplace issues. “The Tomorrow Project may be the most important program ever undertaken by ACCA on behalf of our members, because its goal is to help contractors act proactively to meet the needs of our coming marketplace,” says Paul T. Stalknecht, ACCA President and CEO.” “There's a big difference between being surprised by an innovative technology or new business model, and preparing to meet it head-on." To meet the project's goals, a Contractor/Manufacturer Joint Committee has been established. Representing the contracting community on the committee are: Brian Harvey, H&C, Laurel, MD; Greg Leisgang, JonLe Heating & Cooling, Cincinnati, OH; Bill Moss, M&H, Memphis, TN; Larry Taylor, AirRite, Fort Worth, TX; Dan Thayer, Thayer Corporation, Asburn, MA; Bob Wasniewski, Roberts Environmental, Tinley Park, IL; and Kevin Whalen, Q-Dot, Pittsburgh, PA. Representing the manufacturing sector in the committee are: Dick Lord, Carrier Corporation; Karl Mutchnik, Trane; Gary Nettinger, Mitsubishi Electronics; Ed Raniszeski, Rheem Manufacturing; Bede Wellford, Airxchange; Doug Young, Lennox International; and Jim Walters, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Institute (ARI). Issues to be addressed include industry image; marketplace interactions; labor and human relations; public policy; new product technologies and applications; codes and regulations; training, education, and certification; environmental issues; research needs; and industry cooperation. For more information on the Tomorrow Project, contact Glenn Hourahan at 703/824-8865, e-mail [email protected]