LEWISVILLE, Texas — The Service World Expo recently 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, Oct. 26-27 at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas.

Smith is largely recognized as 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 one of the HVAC industry’s oldest continuously operating residential franchise organizations and created the Service Roundtable contracting group.

During their wide-ranging Legends of the Industry presentation, Smith and Michel will discuss the changes seen in the industry and consider those still to come. The session is designed to help attendees understand where the HVAC industry has been and where it is going.