ST. LOUIS — The Air Conditioning Contractors of America’s (ACCA’s) first National HVACR Residential Sales Managers Forum, held in St. Louis, drew over 200 HVACR professionals from 28 states for an intensive two-day educational experience. The forum achieved high ratings across-the-board from participants, according to ACCA.

“I came here knowing I need to change, and this showed me exactly what I need to change,” said one contracting business owner from Georgia. A sales team member from Illinois said, “I learned more here than I have in the last five years doing this. I can’t wait to get back and close some sales.”

The meeting was made possible through the sponsorship of eight companies: Jackson Systems, Equiguard, EWC Controls, Dynamic Air Quality Solutions, Concept 3 from EFI, Speedclean, Wrightsoft, and Honeywell.

Presenters at the conference included: Tim Welch, Peaden Air Conditioning; Dewey Jenkins, Morris-Jenkins; Jeff Zanella and Keith Walker, Conditioned Air; Drew Cameron, HVAC Sellutions; Michael Goater, Air Conditioning by Jay; Sharon Roberts, Roberts & Roberts; and Larry Taylor, AirRite Air Conditioning, who also served as master of ceremonies.

According to ACCA, keynote addresses from sales and service experts Jim Ackerman and Larry Johnson drew raves from the audience. Ackerman offered a series of practical ideas and insights for creating more sales from more people, more often. Johnson explained the power of word of mouth marketing with real-world demonstrations of how happy customers can generate more business and unhappy customers can sink a company.

“We can’t wait to see the real results that these companies are going to get as they return home from St. Louis and put these ideas into practice,” said Kevin Holland, ACCA vice president for business operations and membership. “We were gratified at the success of the event, but the reason we do things like this is to make a difference in the businesses and lives of the people who attend. St. Louis may be known as the ‘gateway to the West’ but now it will also be remembered as the ‘gateway to a better business’ for the people who came to the first national HVACR sales forum.”

For more information, visit www.acca.org.

Publication date: 04/13/2009