Trade Shows Offer Valuable, Unique Opportunities
Re-spark the fire inside you that burns for the HVACR industry
Before hiring in as web editor for The NEWS, I worked in hospitality. Believe it or not, there happens to be a few similarities between hotel life and the HVAC industry. On the surface, the two seem worlds apart. But, underneath, when you get to the core of the industries, you’ll find that the hearts of both beat to the same rhythm.
In the three months that I’ve been with The NEWS, I’ve observed and learned a lot.
One of the first things I noticed was the abundance of acronyms. When I left the hotel industry, I thought I was through with them. Boy, was I wrong. I feel like I should be able to put “fluent in three languages” on my resume — English, hotel, and HVAC.
Another thing that’s caught my attention is the ever-changing landscape of the HVAC field.
Unless you’re brand new to the trade, you’ve probably seen the industry do a complete 180 several times over. One thing I loved about hospitality was that every day was different — it kept me on my toes. It appears as though all the new standards and regulations, technologies, trends, and products make HVAC just as fast-paced.
And, this industry is lucky as there are seemingly endless opportunities for training and education, networking, and inspiration.
MY FIRST AHR EXPO
I attended my fair share of trade shows, conferences, and seminars during my seven years in hospitality. And, I’ll admit, I did not go into my first one with open arms. I thought it was stupid and a waste of money, until I got there, that is. I was impressed and happy to admit I was wrong.
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But, all my trade show, conference, and seminar experience combined is nothing compared to the AHR Expo. If you haven’t gone yet, you’re missing out. There were miles of aisles to walk with hundreds of booths and thousands of industry experts eager to share information on the latest trends in technology and product releases. And, if the products alone weren’t enough to reel you in, each company had something unique to offer ranging from extra carpet padding to kegs of beer.
There’s absolutely no way any visitor could see it all, and there was definitely something there for everyone. The event offered endless networking opportunities and allowed me to put names to faces while exchanging ideas about business best practices.
Although the AHR Expo may be the largest event in the industry, it’s definitely not the only one. Other opportunities include ACCA’s IE3 Show, Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC) CONNECT, the Mechanical Contractors Association of America’s (MCAA’s) annual convention, and more.
And, the industry is still introducing new opportunities. Service Nation Inc., The ACHR NEWS, Plumbing & Mechanical Magazine, and Reeves Journal launched Service World Expo last year to bring HVACR professionals together to share ideas, products, and services.
And, the list goes on, but I have a word limit here.
I know that paying for airfare, hotels, and entry to these events can be pricey. But, you’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it a thousand times more — you reap what you sow. Your career is like anything else in life; you have to invest in it.
Now, that could mean a lot of things. You don’t necessarily have to attend a trade show or conference to make the investment, but, once you do, you’ll quickly learn they’re just what the doctor ordered.
There’s really nothing better than being in a room, a building, or a city with professionals who are just as passionate and excited about the same things you are.
So, go out on a limb — buy a ticket, pack your bags, attend a show, and re-spark the fire inside you that burns for the HVACR industry.
Publication date: 3/27/2017
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