Those who attend the 41st annual Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) conference in Forth Worth, Texas, Feb. 24-26, are going to be in for some big surprises in the Lone Star state. Not only will they be greeted by a bigger Indoor Air Expo, but they’ll be able to attend numerous information-packed workshops that will address all the issues contractors need to know in today’s marketplace.

And they’ll get to watch some guys juggle chainsaws.

So why did ACCA want the chainsaw-tossing duo called The Passing Zone to come to this year’s conference? According to Kevin Holland, division VP, business operations & membership, ACCA, it’s all about offering memorable experiences for attendees.

“One of the reasons our conference has grown so popular over the last few years is that it is not just about technical sessions and association business; it also offers an immersive experience that gets contractors engaged in thinking about the big picture and their place in it. We’re excited about The Passing Zone and think our members will be talking about them for a long time to come.”

One of the events that many attendees look forward to at the conference each year is the Indoor Air Expo. This year, the expo is co-sponsored by the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) and features more than 300 booths - the largest expo ever.

The jointly sponsored expo with IAQA was one of those decisions that just made sense to ACCA. IAQA is holding its annual meeting at the same time and in the same place as the ACCA conference, and the joint expo allows for a bigger show with more exhibitors and attendees.

“One of the most unique things about the ACCA conference is that our event is attended by the CEOs and senior executives of most of the major supplier companies,” said Holland. “One of our first-time attendees told me last year that he was amazed that he found himself sitting next to the CEO of a manufacturer at an event and was able to get a vexing local problem solved as a result. That kind of connection is powerful.”

These powerful connections, combined with knowledge gained at one-of-a-kind workshops, are what can help contractors get through even the toughest economic times. As Holland noted, “Now more than ever, a contractor needs to connect with and learn from his peers at the ACCA conference. Hunkering down and adapting a bunker mentality will not help you succeed - in fact, it will do the opposite. The fact is, in any economy - booming or slowing - there are businesses that succeed and businesses that fail. Try to do it on your own, and your chances of success are greatly diminished.”

EXPO PARTICIPANTS

Here are the companies scheduled to exhibit at the 2009 Indoor Air Expo: A.O. Smith Electrical Products Co.,A.P. Buck Inc., Aces A/C Supply North, Aerobiology Laboratory Associates Inc., Airtec Products Corp., Airwell Fedders North American, Alexeter Technologies, AMA Analytical Services, American IAQ Council, Aprilaire, ARAMSCO, Armacell LLC, Arzel Zoning Technology Inc., Aspen Manufacturing, Atco Rubber Products Inc., Atlas Sales & Rentals Inc., Basement Systems Inc., Bitzer US Inc., Broan-Nutone, Building Environmental Consultants Inc., Callahan Roach Business Solutions, Carrier Corp., CertifiedBackground.com, Clen Air Manufacturing Inc., Collier Consulting Group Inc., Colorado Springs Dodge, Comfort Institute, Contracting Business Magazine, Controlled Air Systems Inc., CPS Products Inc, D&S Electrostatic Samplers, Davis Business Solutions Inc., Demilec (USA) LLC, Discrete Wireless, Dri-Eaz Products Inc., Ductmate Industries Inc., DUCTZ International, Dust Free Inc., Dynamic Air Quality Solutions, Elavon, Elite Software Development Inc., Emerson Climate Technologies, EMLab P&K, EMSL Analytical Inc., Enterprise Fleet Management, Environmental Monitoring Systems Inc., Equiguard Inc., EWC Controls Inc., Expresscopy.com, Exxon Mobil Fleet Sales, Ez-Breathe, Famhost, Federated Insurance, Fiberlock Technologies, Filtration Manufacturing Inc., Five Two One Inc., FLIR Infrared Cameras, Fresh-Aire UV Triatomic Environmental Inc., FTL Finance, Fujitsu General America Inc., GE ECM by Regal-Beloit, GE Security, General Filters Inc., Goodman Manufacturing Co. LP, GPS Insight, GrayWolf Sensing Solutions, HARDI, Hudson Ink, HVACR Business, Indoor Biotechnologies Inc., Indoor Environmental Consultants Inc., Indoor Environmental Hygiene Laboratory, Indoor Sciences, International Comfort Products, Jackson Systems LLC, Jason Industrial Inc., Johnson Supply, Johnson Supply Co., K. D. Engineering, Legends Environmental Insurance Services, Lennox Industries, Lloyd’s Systems, Lux Products Corp., M & M Manufacturing Co., MA-Line, Marley Engineered Products, Mason Industries, Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA Inc., Mortex Products Inc., Mycometer Inc., National Air Duct Cleaners Association, National Air Filtration Association, NDL Industries Inc., Network Fleet, Nexstar Network Inc., Nikro Industries Inc., Northeast Laboratory Services, Novatek Corp., Nu-Calgon Wholesaler Inc., One Hour Air Conditioning Franchise, Panasonic, Parker Hannifin, PlanetMold.com, Pullman-Holt Corp., Pure Chem, Purifan Inc., Quantem Laboratories LLC, Quietflex Manufacturing Co., Quietside/Samsung, R. E. Michel Co. Inc., Rectorseal, Renew Aire LLC, Restoration Consultants, Restoration Industry Association, Rheem Air Conditioning Division - Rheem Manufacturing Co., Rooftop Systems Inc., Rotobrush International LLC, RSES, Sanuvox Technologies, Scand Tech USA, Scientific Analytical Institute Inc. (SAI), Serum Products LLC, Service Automation Inc., Specialty Construction Brands Inc./Foster Products, Speed Clean, Sporicidin by Contec Inc., Steamatic, Sun Nuclear Corp., Testo Inc., The Ozone Man Inc., Therma-Stor Products Div., To Your Success Inc., TSI Inc., Turbo Air Inc., UEMSI, US Environmental Protection Agency Region 6, US Ice Plus Inc., US Micro-Solutions Inc., USA Refrigerants Inc., Venmar Ventilation, Warm Thoughts Communications, WaterFurnace International, Webfoot.net, Western Enterprises, Wrightsoft Corp., XCI Controls, Yodle, York International, Zefon International Inc., and Zonefirst.

Sidebar: The Winners

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America will be recognizing winners in the 2008 Awards for Excellence program, part of the association’s annual convention.

The finalists in the two categories are:

AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTING
Air Conditioning by Jay, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Apollo Heating & Air Conditioning, Cincinnati

Frymire Services, Dallas

Isaac Heating & Air Conditioning, Rochester, N.Y.

AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN COMMERCIAL CONTRACTING
A/C Technical Services, Castroville, Texas

Harrington Engineering, Rocky Hill, Conn.

Newcomb & Company, Raleigh, N.C.

Peaden Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing, Panama City, Fla.

Publication date: 02/23/2009