ORLANDO, Fla. — Nearly 61,000 HVAC industry representatives enjoyed sun and reasonable temperatures as the 2016 AHR Expo rolled into Orlando, Florida.

Preliminary numbers show that more than 18,254 exhibitor personnel welcomed 42,672 visitors.

“A lot goes into making this show such a valued platform for today’s professionals to come together,” said Clay Stevens, president of International Exposition Co. “Based on early feedback, we’re already working on several aspects of next year’s show to make the experience even more worthwhile.”

The 2016 AHR Expo show floor encompassed a compelling 20 football fields’ worth of exhibits throughout Florida’s largest convention center. In addition to thousands of returning companies, more than 300 exhibitors set up shop for the first time at this year’s show, including Adam Bowen, a partner at ClimaSkinz. “We knew this was a huge event, but we weren’t entirely sure what to expect,” said Bowen. “We were pleased with the amount of positive feedback, and we’re going home with a handful of promising new leads.”

Of course, The NEWS was there to cover all aspects of the event. Below, you’ll find stories featuring new products and trends defining the industry’s future in a variety of different product categories. Click on each story to learn more.

Ductwork + Sheet Metal: Building Codes, Weatherization Tighten the Ductwork Market

Hand Tools: Tools Grow Smarter, More Compact, and Easier to Manage

Geothermal: Tax Credits, Fuel Prices Concern Geothermal Manufacturers

Motors + Drives: DOE Efficiency Regulations Steer Motors and Drives Market

Humidification + Dehumidification: Humidity Control a Key Component of Comfort and IAQ

Residential Furnaces: High-efficiency Furnaces Remain in High Demand

Compressors: Regulations, Efficiency Demands Shape Compressor Market

Ductless HVAC: Ductless Continues to Mature in the American HVAC Market

Indoor Air Quality: Intuitive Controls, Consumer Readiness Drive the Pursuit for IAQ

Residential A/C: Smart Home, Efficiency Pace the Residential A/C Market

Testing + Monitoring: Testing, Monitoring Products Designed with the User in Mind

Boilers: New Boilers Emerge More Efficient, Accessible, and Intelligent

Portable HVAC: Portable Products Press Proportional Parameters

Zoning: Zoning Gets Smarter, More Accessible at 2016 AHR Expo

UV + Air Purification: Consumer Awareness, ASHRAE Validate UV’s Effectiveness

Ventilation: Growing Awareness, Performance Drive the Ventilation Market

Radiant: Radiant Products Aim for Efficiency, Sustainability

Thermostats: Intelligent, Connected Thermostats Riding a Wave of Popularity

Hydronics: Hydronics Technology Zeros in on Energy Savings

Heat Pumps: Heat Pumps Still a Hot Prospect

Commercial Rooftop Units (RTUs): Regulatory Concerns Corner the Rooftop Market

Apps + Software: Advanced Software/Apps Make HVAC Contracting Simpler

Trucks + Transportation: European-style Vans Make an Impression at Expo

Refrigerants: Change is the Name of the Game

Publication date: 2/22/2016

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