CHANTILLY, VA — The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) is preparing for its 58th annual convention, slated for Oct. 21-24 in Boca Raton, FL. The theme of the convention is “Keys to Success,” and SMACNA has already scheduled a variety of educational sessions for participants.

Featured speakers for the event include author and columnist Dave Barry, journalist Deborah Norville, and the anchor of CNN’s “Moneyline,” Lou Dobbs. The convention will also feature forums in seven market sectors — architectural, industrial, custom metal fabricating and manufacturing, hvac, residential, service contracting, and duct manufacturing.

The focus of the hvac contractor’s forum will be “Designing ‘Green’ HVAC Systems,” conducted by Douglas Mass, president of Cosentini Associates, a consulting engineering firm based in New York City. The program will look at the benefits of fully integrated designs that feature many of the newer applications, such as underfloor air delivery.