WESTPORT, Conn. - Based on the number of companies that have already reserved space for the 2006 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo) in Chicago, Jan. 23-25, as well as a number of planned new show enhancements, next year's event promises to be one of the biggest in the AHR Expo's 76-year history.

According to show management, more than 1,600 companies have already signed up to exhibit in the 2006 expo and 350,000 square feet of exhibit space has been sold to date with many months remaining before the doors open at McCormick Place on Jan. 23.

Last year's February show in Orlando set the new record for number of exhibitors with 1,871 companies occupying 372,955 square feet of space. However, Chicago is historically the site of the largest AHR Expos and still holds the record for number of attendees (59,079 including 38,224 visitors) and square footage (400,416).

"It's hard to predict at this point in time whether AHR 2006 will surpass our all-time records," said Clay Stevens, president of International Exposition Co., which manages and produces the AHR Expo. "However, we do know that our largest shows are always in Chicago and that we have some special features this year that will attract new attendees and exhibitors."

Publication date: 08/08/2005