“With an audience that spans the continent and crosses international borders, we want to make sure the AHR Expo remains, year after year, an accessible, not-to-be-missed experience for as many exhibitors and attendees as possible,” said Clay Stevens, president of International Exposition Co. “We track the number of attendees, exhibitors, media, and other personnel at every show — in addition to conducting in-depth research of venues, accommodations, and travel to and from potential cities — and use this information to plan the locations for AHR Expo years in advance.”

According to Stevens, U.S. cities are primarily chosen based on available exhibition space and ancillary amenities to accommodate the show’s thousands of annual attendees and exhibitors. Ease of travel to and from and within a city, as well as its core market strength in specific HVACR segments, is also closely evaluated.

Additionally, AHR Expo’s planning team recognizes the importance of choosing cities that address the broad and notably varied needs of attendees and exhibitors.

“The team is always thinking about which locations will be as enjoyable as they are of value for doing business, making sure that we are mixing it up and keeping it interesting each and every year,” Stevens said. “We know this is a big part of companies’ annual investments, and, in many cases, a destination event for our exhibitors and attendees. It’s important that the business value of the AHR Expo is supplemented by the overall appealing nature of the selected venue.

“HVACR is used and/or required everywhere in the U.S., and with that in mind, the AHR Expo planning team ensures that the variety of our attendees’ and exhibitors’ regionally specific interests and needs are addressed through the venues we choose for the show,” Stevens explained. “We welcomed a record-breaking number of visitors to the 2016 Show in Orlando, including 36 percent from nearby regions, which underscores that our strategy was on-mark for returning to the Southeast after numerous years.”

It’s no coincidence that each year’s AHR Expo is held in mid to late January or early February. Following careful research — and proven performance — of this time period’s “golden factor” for attracting industry professionals, it remains a consistent foundation for successful show planning.

“Manufacturers understand they have a yearly opportunity to engage a receptive audience that is ready to learn about the latest and greatest,” Stevens shared. “In keeping with our reputation for being ‘the world’s largest HVACR marketplace,’ we at AHR Expo are proud to create an experience that can, and often does, serve as a launching pad for our exhibitors’ annual sales and marketing efforts.”

International Exposition Company has also announced that upcoming AHR Expos will be held in Chicago in 2018, Atlanta in 2019, and Orlando in 2020. For more information, visit www.ahrexpo.com.