LEWISVILLE, Texas — The Service World Expo announced HVAC industry icons Ron Smith and Matt Michel will share the podium for a special “Legends of the Industry” presentation at the inaugural Service World Expo, to be held at the Tropicana Hotel, Oct. 26-27, 2016, in Las Vegas.

Smith is considered the father of the modern contracting business. He introduced the notion of retail contracting to the HVAC industry and pioneered many of the ideas that are considered standard business practices today, such as service agreements, dedicated retail salespeople, and HVAC’s first contractor franchise. Michel started the HVAC industry’s oldest continuously operating residential franchise organization and the industry’s largest contractor group, the Service Roundtable. During their wide ranging Legends of the Industry discussion, Smith and Michel will talk about the changes seen in the industry and those still to come. It will help attendees understand where the HVAC industry has been and where it is going.