ISH NA Makes Strong Showing In Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS - Count Don Gibson as one of the exhibitors pleased with the turnout for ISH North America (ISH NA), held Oct. 1-3 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

"Traffic was of much higher quality at ISH North America than at some of the other, larger shows in which we exhibit," said Gibson, plant manager for Alberta Custom Tee, Ltd., Westlock, Alberta. "Over 90 percent of our booth traffic was either a customer or a potential customer, as compared to 50 percent at other exhibitions."

The show featured 540 exhibiting companies representing the kitchen and bath, plumbing, PVF, and heating and air conditioning industries. Exhibitors came from 17 countries, and there was even a Chinese pavilion.

Messe Frankfurt, the trade show organizers, reported that over 11,800 people attended the three-day event. Registered attendees came from 32 U.S. states and 9 Canadian provinces, as well

as 45 other countries, including foreign buyer delegations from Australia, Italy, and Mexico. Exhibitors reported brisk business with both domestic and foreign accounts.

ISH NA 2003 featured 540 exhibiting companies from 17 countries.

New Products, Awards

On-site events included the New Product Showcase displaying 98 new products from various exhibiting companies. Awards were given in eight categories, and an award was presented for best overall product. The winning products and the companies of the New Product Showcase awards are as follows:

Kitchen and bath:

Aquanotion - Two Flush

Plumbing and piping:

Elkay Co. - Swirlfo Water Cooler

Heating and ventilation:

Uponor Wirsbo - Wirsbo ProPANEL Series

Looking for quick answers on air conditioning, heating and refrigeration topics? Try Ask ACHR NEWS, our new smart AI search tool. Ask ACHR NEWS

Software and electronic equipment:

Accubid Systems - Pocket Change Order

Industrial products:

O'Brien Manufacturing - Intel-A-Count / OBJ-2430 E

Tools and equipment:

Bennette Design Group - Plumbers Pad

Air conditioning/refrigeration:

EZ Trap - Model 150 Ultratrap Waterless Trap

Hydronic heating:

Patterson Kelly - PK MACH Series Boiler

Best overall product:

Climastar - Electric Portable Heater

Scholarships

In addition, the Plumbing-Heating Cooling Contractors - National Association (PHCC) hosted its International Apprenticeship Contest. Scholarships were given to the top three participants:

First Place:

Sergio Ibarra, California

Second Place:

Manuel Oroz, Nevada

Third Place:

Robert Ciesla, New Jersey

New Technology

Other events included the SmartHouse and Design Plus exhibits. SmartHouse offered a glimpse into the technology of today combined with the comforts of home to present the house of the future. Design Plus displayed products that took top honors for form and function at the ISH show in Frankfurt, Germany, earlier this year.

According to Messe Frankfurt, over 1,000 people took part in the six-track seminar program, encompassing 54 sessions.

The show was produced in partnership with Messe Frankfurt Inc., the America Supply Association (ASA), the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH), the PHCC, and the Radiant Panel Association (RPA). Over 20 associations and publications were endorsers and sponsors of this consolidated event.

The third ISH NA trade fair will be held in Boston at the newly constructed Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Oct. 14-16, 2004.

The News will publish a series of articles summarizing some of the HVACR and business management seminars in future issues.

Publication date: 10/20/2003

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!