ARLINGTON, Va. - The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) board of directors has reviewed the recommendations regarding the possible merger with the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA) from the Study Group made up of former ARI and GAMA chairmen and the three broad committees that provided recommendations to the Study Group. The board decided to take several additional steps, including involving a wide range of ARI members in the merger process. The board specifically authorized that ARI:

• Establish focus groups of companies to solicit specific concerns, specific feedback, and topics related to the merger and what might mitigate those concerns.

• Formulate a possible structure of the combined association with some level of detail, including prioritization of issues, concerns, and services.

• Investigate other association mergers, noting successes and barriers.

• Enter into a confidentiality agreement with GAMA to allow sharing of member sales volume information for the purpose of evaluating the impact of a combined dues structure.

ARI and GAMA will hold four regional briefings to give members an opportunity to provide input regarding the possible merger.

The meeting dates and venues are:

July 10, 2007 – Four Points Sheraton BWI, 7032 Elm Road, Baltimore, MD 21240

July 25, 2007 – Marriott Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport North, 8440 Freeport Parkway, Irving, TX 75063

July 26, 2007 – Wyndham O’Hare, 6810 N. Mannheim Rd., Rosemont, IL 60018

July 27, 2007 – Crown Plaza Hotel Atlanta Airport, 6345 Powers Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA 30339

All hotels are within close proximity to the local airport and provide 24-hour shuttle service. All meetings will be scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and end by 2 p.m., with the exception of the Dallas/Ft. Worth meeting which will run from 9:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Those interested in attending a meeting are asked to RSVP to Christin Vandegrift at cvandegrift@ari.org.

Publication date: 06/04/2007