CHANTILLY, Va. - The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) has announced that the HVAC Contractor Forum at this year's SMACNA convention will explore the future of the HVAC industry as well as the benefits of using temporary heating and cooling equipment. The forum will be held on Monday, Oct. 9, during the convention in Phoenix.

Dr. Thomas C. Schleifer of Arizona State University will present "Unprecedented Challenges – A Look Into the Industry's Future." Schleifer will describe how the dramatic effects and timing of changes in contracting methods, technologies, communication, productivity, economics, industry consolidation, and owner preferences are causing unprecedented influences on contractors, suppliers, and support services.

Schleifer will also address how efficiency and productivity will become the major differentiators among competitors. It is also expected that costs and prices will drop until the industry better utilizes training and education and embraces new technologies.