WESTPORT, Conn. - With seven weeks still remaining before the 2008 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo) in New York, January 22-24, the 60th exposition is already establishing new benchmarks for Northeast HVACR events.

To date, 1,757 exhibiting companies have already contracted for more than 352,000 square feet of space. These figures surpass all previous Northeast HVACR events including the 1997 AHR Expo in Philadelphia that featured 315,000 square feet of exhibit space. The upcoming 2008 show is nearly 20 percent larger than the 2002 show in Atlantic City and almost a third (32 percent) bigger than the last AHR Expo held in New York in 1991.

These early record-breaking results also bode well for the possibility of setting a new attendance record for Northeast shows. With the New York region being home to the largest concentration of HVACR professionals in the country, show management is hopeful that the 2008 show will be one of the biggest shows ever.

In addition, the 2008 show has already surpassed the Northeast record for number of international exhibitors with 371 non-U.S. companies from 49 countries. Show organizers are expecting a good turnout of international attendees as well since New York is an attractive venue for global visitors.

 “We are very pleased but not surprised by these early results,” said Clay Stevens, president of International Exposition Co., which produces and manages the show. “It has been 17 years since AHR Expo was held in New York so we think there will be a great deal of interest in the show and all the new features that have been added.”

Stevens said that in addition to pavilions focused on segments of the marketplace, there will be a special emphasis on green products and issues.

For more information, visit www.ahrexpo.com.

Publication date: 12/03/2007