AHR Releases 2025 Educational Program

WESTPORT, Conn., October 28, 2024 – The AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) today released the full schedule for the 2025 AHR Expo Education Program. This year’s program will feature more than 250 sessions, including free industry seminars, a robust panel series lineup, new product presentations and more.

“Educating our current and future workforce is an area of dedicated attention and effort across most industry conversations,” said Show Manager, Mark Stevens. “Over the years, the AHR education program has grown into an important complementary asset to the show floor experience, lending an opportunity for deeper understanding of what’s happening within the industry, how to apply skill and knowledge, and how to prepare for shifts.”

The AHR Expo Education Program provides attendees with expert advice aimed to better understand real-world application and learning relating to current trends and practices across the industry. Areas of niche discipline, as well as broader discussion of topics that stretch the full supply chain, will be available to stimulate industry conversation and professional development.

“The AHR Expo Education Program is the industry’s best place to learn trends, tips, and growth strategies that span the full industry,” said Kimberly Pires, AHR Expo Education Program Director. “Our associations design their sessions to address the most pressing topics within their areas of the industry. The goal is to provide diverse perspectives from every professional and perspective in HVACR. The opportunity for shared insight supports healthy communication across the industry.” Attendees are encouraged to explore the full program on ahrexpo.com .

Additional highlights for the 2025 AHR Expo

Free Industry Seminar program includes:

• Contractors Refrigerant Detection Systems for Flammable, A2L Refrigerants Chris Forth, Vice President of Regulatory, Codes & Environmental Affairs, hosted by WHVACR. This session will review the transition to low-GWP refrigerants, including mildly flammable A2Ls, and learn about refrigerant detection systems (RDS). Join to gain an understanding of what features an RDS must have, how these systems function and how to quickly determine if they are optional or required for an installation.
• SMACNA Large Duct Construction & HVAC Duct Systems Inspection Shawn O’Hara, Senior Project Manager, SMACNA National; Geoffrey Parks, Senior Project Manager, SMACNA National, hosted by Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association. Learn what's driving larger ductwork in the industry today and how to properly construct and support larger ductwork using the SMACNA HVAC Duct Construction Standards (4th Edition).
• Empowering Green Choices: How Financing Makes Energy Efficiency Affordable Erica Leonor, Director of Business Development at Goodleap; and Erik Summers, hosted by WHVACR. Discover how innovative financing options can empower homeowners to invest in high-end, energy-efficient HVACR systems through the exploration of financial tools that make eco-friendly upgrades accessible.
• The Digital Revolution in HVAC: AI, Automation, and the Future of Customer Service Josh Crouch, Founder Relentless Digital and Co-Host Service Business Mastery Podcast and Tersh Blissett, CEO, Service Emperor; Co-Host Service Business Mastery Podcast, hosted by AHR Expo In this session you will learn strategies to integrate 'digital coworkers' into your business, enhancing efficiency and customer service by reviewing real-world examples of AI improving customer journeys and operations.
• Distribution/Supply Chain Repair, Replacement or Maintenance: Which Strategy Aligns Best with Consumer Behavior? Megan Adair, Senior Account Development Manager, Mediagistic; Jennifer Helton, Account Development Manager, Mediagistic; hosted by WHVACR, attendees will gain deep insight into how consumer behavior drives better HVAC marketing outcomes. Discover how focusing on repairs, rather than installations, can be a game-changer for your HVAC business, as we reveal industry secrets and case studies that showcase significant growth through service-to-installation strategies.
• Revolutionizing Your Business with OpenAI, with Colleen Keyworth, Director of Sales & Marketing, Online Access, hosted by WHVACR. Attendees will learn more about the transformative impact of OpenAI technologies in business, focusing on ethical applications to enhance problem-solving, creativity, and efficiency.
Engineers Decarbonizing Commercial and Industrial Heating with Hydrogen Part 1 Paul Glanville, Sr. R&D Director, GTI Energy; Vince McDonell, Director, UC Irvine Combustion Laboratory, UC Irvine, hosted by AHRI. Part 1, What is the Decarbonization Potential, will introduce the current state of research to define the upper practical limit of using H2 to decarbonize large commercial and industrial heating equipment currently using natural gas, the structure of the project for the California Energy Commission with partners GTI Energy, UC Irvine, EPRI, AHRI, and other industry partners (AHRI members); provide the context for displacing natural gas in heating equipment with H2 as a blend or through full conversion to 100% H2 with an overview of key developments and demonstrations in North America; and review the project’s preliminary Technoeconomic Assessment of using H2 in commercial/industrial facilities throughout California and review the Technical Survey of current research regarding the practical limits of using H2 in heating equipment.

For Credit Courses

AHR Expo attendees have the opportunity to participate in professional development courses through ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI), as well as short courses/professional development seminars approved for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) that can apply toward maintaining P.E. licensure. Attendees are required to register and pay tuition fees in advance of the show and can do so either onsite or by visiting the ASHRAE registration website .

• Starting the Path to Net-Zero Buildings Using ASHRAE 90.1-2022 hosted by ASHRAE Learning Institute Led by McHenry Wallace, P.E., Member ASHRAE, LEED®AP; Intermediate 3 PDHs/AIA LUs | Check with your state for their continuing education credits requirements. $249 ($189 ASHRAE Members); early bird discounts may apply.
• Changing Environments and Loads for Data Center (High Density, Liquid Cooling, Edge Computing) hosted by ASHRAE Learning Institute Led by Brandon Gill, P.E.; Jeff Stein, P.E.; Entry Level 3 PDHs/AIA LUs | Check with your state for their continuing education credits requirements. $249 ($189 ASHRAE Members); early bird discounts may apply.
• Commercial Building Energy Audits hosted by ASHRAE Learning Institute Led by Joe Hofstetter, P.E.; Intermediate 6 PDHs/AIA LUs | $629 ($509 ASHRAE Members); early bird discounts may apply. Check with your state for their continuing education credits requirements.

New Product Theaters

Attendees are encouraged to sit in on exhibitor presentations in the New Product Theater. More than 145 presentations lasting approximately 20 minutes each are planned across all three days of the show. These free presentations will provide brief overviews of new product announcements and technologies that can be found in exhibitor booths on the show floor. Attendees are invited to follow up presentations with a visit to the booth for a more in-depth explanation and 1:1 interaction with products and representatives. No fee or individual session registration is required, however, show registration is required.

• Safely Handling Flammable Refrigerants in Heat Pumps hosted by Sensata Technologies Inc. The core of any Heat Pump is the balance between the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant which drives system efficiency and safety, particularly with the safety measures needed to manage R-290 refrigerant. This session addresses sensor-driven solutions to handle flammable refrigerants.
• Faced with the AIM ACT: 3 Simple Steps to Reduce the Impact of Refrigeration hosted by MATELEX The refrigeration market is undergoing major changes. Regulations are limiting the availability of fluids with high global warming potential, leading to higher prices and supply difficulties. At the same time, refrigeration plant leakage rates and energy consumption remain high, posing a challenge for refrigeration professionals. Matelex offers a simple 3-step solution to reduce the environmental and financial impact of refrigeration and simplify the management of a fleet of installations.
• Sustainable & Data-Driven Cooling: Güntner’s Intelligent IOT Solutions hosted by Güntner U.S. LLC Discover the Intelligent IOT Solutions that can contribute to a better future. Güntner’s Intelligent IOT Solutions bring significant water savings, energy efficiency, low maintenance, and other benefits.
• The First Step in Your Building Decarbonization Journey, hosted by ABB HVAC Building Automation and Controls ABB Ability™ Building Analyzer tracks both buildings data (occupancy, equipment runtime hours, temperatures, and costs) and utilities (energy, gas, water, steam) in real-time and provides actionable insights to help you save money while improving energy efficiency, sustainability, and occupant awareness.

Attendees can view the complete AHR Expo Education Program schedule, including the New Product Theaters, on the AHR Expo website.

Additionally, attendees are encouraged to manage their show floor and education program agenda by creating a free MyShow Planner account and downloading the AHR Expo app.

The AHR Expo is the world’s premier HVACR event, attracting the most comprehensive gathering of industry professionals from around the globe each year. The show provides a unique forum where manufacturers of all sizes and specialties, whether major industry brands or innovative start-ups, can come together to share ideas and showcase the future of HVACR technology under one roof.

Since 1930, the AHR Expo has remained the industry’s best place for OEMs, engineers, contractors, facility operators, architects, educators and other industry professionals to explore the latest trends and applications and to cultivate mutually beneficial business relationships. The next show, co-sponsored by ASHRAE and AHRI, will be held Feb. 10 - 12, in Orlando, FL, and is held concurrently with ASHRAE’s Winter Conference.

For more information, visit ahrexpo.com and follow @ahrexpo on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook. The AHR Expo is produced and managed by: International Exposition Company, Inc. 15 Franklin Street Westport, CT 06880 Telephone: 203-221-9232 Fax: 203-221-9260 Email: [email protected]