Atlanta, GA — Long known as the “Gateway to the South,” Atlanta is also home to more than 100,000 construction workers and more than 330,000 business and professional services employees.
So, wherever you find vibrant economies and people hard at work, there you’ll find HVAC Comfortech.
HVAC Comfortech returned to Atlanta Sept. 13-16, to give an “info-zap” to thousands of HVAC professionals who swarmed the Georgia World Congress Center in search of new business and technological breakthroughs.
And learn they did: HVAC Comfortech 2008 featured the largest HVAC contractor faculty ever assembled to teach at an industry event. And as always, the trade show floor was alive with new products, all designed to energize business through 2008 and into the new year.
News Format Entertains, Informs HVAC Comfortech 2008 featured an exciting opening session presented in an “Action News” format, with Contracting Business editors Mike Weil, Terry McIver, and Kate Hoban serving as on-site news anchors.
The news was fast, insightful, and entertaining, as the CB news team provided an opening day preview of all that was in store for the information-hungry crowd.
The Comfortech production team from Contracting Business magazine added an extra dash of Southern hospitality to HVAC Comfortech this year, with an inaugural “first timers” welcome. CB Editor-in-Chief Mike Weil and Service Roundtable CEO Matt Michel welcomed an estimated 50 first-time show attendees with tips on getting the most out of the three-day HVAC Comfortech experience. Veteran show attendees were also on hand to offer advice on how to use the Comfortech experience to grow an HVAC business.
Mitchell Cropp Wins Residential Contractor of the Year Award, Delivers Keynote Address
“The Stars of Comfortech — Exposed!” featured award presentations to many HVAC industry leaders. Among those receiving honors was Contracting Business magazine’s 2008 Residential Contractor of the Year, Cropp-Metcalfe, Inc., Fairfax, VA.
Cropp-Metcalfe President Mitchell Cropp’s inspirational keynote speech focused on service excellence.
“If you have a successful business today, you don’t do it overnight, nor do you do it without good people around you. I feel Cropp-Metcalfe has some of the best people in the HVAC industry,” Cropp said, and offered ways the company strives to achieve its key philosophy: “Just having satisfied customers isn’t good enough anymore. You have to create raving fans!”
During the three days of HVAC Comfortech, contractors had more than 40 sessions to choose from, including:
• “Selling Service Agreements in a Green World,” by Andrew Oser
•“15 Traits Successful Contracting Companies Have in Common,” by Tom Grandy
• “Do You Really Need a Headhunter?” by Milton Baum
• “How to Make the Most of Home Shows,” by Matt Michel
• “Tough Times Never Last; Smart Contractors Do,” by Robert Wilkos
• “Take Your Marketing to the Radio and Grow,” by Gene Slade.
Other session highlights included a seminar series devoted to “Sustainability in the Residential Market,” and a “Green Ventilation Seminar Series” sponsored by the Home Ventilating Institute.
As always, the product showcase floor offered exciting learning experiences, including “The Comfort House” interactive training exhibit, and Consultant’s Corner. Manufacturers’ booths provided opportunities to discover new HVAC technologies and service techniques.
HVAC Comfortech, the premier national, residential, and light commercial HVAC seminar and comfort technology showcase, is entering its 12th year of service to the HVAC industry.
Stars Fall on HVAC Comfortech!
The Friday morning opening session featured “The Stars of Comfortech— Exposed! Key industry leaders were honored with traditional HVAC Comfortech awards:
• Cropp-Metcalfe, Fairfax, VA, received Contracting Business magazine’s 2008 Residential Contractor of the Year award
• The Tom McCart Consultant of the Year Award was presented to Charlie ‘Tec Daddy’ Greer, president of HVACProfitBoosters.com.
• The North American Technician Excellence (NATE) Golden Toolbox award was given to Joel Owen of Alabama Power
• Gary Hodges, Carthage Heating & Cooling, Carthage, MS won the NATE
‘Top Technician’ competition
• Quality Home Comfort Awards were presented to Keil Heating & Air Conditoning, Riverdale, NJ; Sigman Heating & Air Conditioning, Belleville, IL; Mechanical Air Service, Inc., San Jose, CA; and Orchard Valley Heating & Cooling, Southampton, MA
• Preston Bond, founder of Linc Corp., and consolidation leader/ACCA past president Elliot Sokolow, were inducted into the Contracting Business HVAC Hall of Fame.
Emerson Hosts Opening Night Reception
HVAC Comfortech’s Wednesday night Welcome Reception — once again sponsored by Emerson Climate Technologies, and with a warm welcome by Emerson Vice President Karl Zellmer — brought show attendees together for a night of hospitality, networking, and good food and drink. A little business was mixed with pleasure, as the Emerson Climate Technologies team displayed products to help HVAC contractors prepare for the “Countdown to 2010” R-22 refrigerant phaseout.
Sharing Cokes® and Smiles at Thursday Night Party
The Coca-Cola Company makes its worldwide headquarters in Atlanta, and offers tourists a fun, comprehensive look at the history of the soft drink at The World of Coca-Cola®, with Coke artwork, memorabilia, video documentaries, and souvenirs.
The meandering museum was the venue for the Thursday night party. HVAC Comfortech attendees helped themselves to free Coke products chilled in mini-coolers provided by York®. Nordyne sponsored an appearance by the Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders, and Rheem/Ruud offered guests a chance to “Take a Spin” to win company-branded gifts.