I don’t have to tell the readers of this magazine that the HVAC industry is changing quickly. A lot of us just spent a few days at the AHR Expo in Atlanta, being introduced to a lot of the new products that are changing the industry. In all honesty, we probably could have spent an entire week looking at all the technology.

Almost every manufacturer is making smarter products, which means contractors need to be educated on the technology. However, education can’t be just a once-a-year activity. The AHR Expo is a great event, but it is impossible to learn everything in three days. Your next opportunity to get a face-to-face introduction to the newest HVAC technology is at the AEC BuildTech Conference and Expo. The event will take place in Rosemont, Illinois, (right outside Chicago) April 30 through May 2.

Full disclosure, BNP Media — the parent company of The NEWS — is responsible for this show, and The NEWS will be heavily involved.

The interesting thing about AEC BuildTech is that it is an event for the entire innovating building team. It is not just the HVAC trade that will be involved. AEC BuildTech recognizes that collaboration is a key topic. Each trade needs to be included at the outset to ensure the best outcome. It’s a theme you can find in any number of AEC-related professions, from architecture and engineering to plumbing and HVAC. Every discipline wants to be included because every discipline needs to be included for a project to be truly successful. That’s why AEC BuildTech was created, and it’s what makes it unique.

The event will offer educational sessions led by influential speakers across six separate tracks focused on plumbing, HVACR/mechanical systems, flooring, building envelope, roofing, and general contracting.

AEC and mechanical systems experts will share essential information regarding new technologies, applications, and policies that affect the entire build process — focused on both residential and commercial projects. Plus, attendees will have the opportunity to earn continuing education units for select educational sessions.

AEC BuildTech’s sprawling exhibit hall will be an essential resource for attendees, providing the opportunity to meet and network with leading companies.

With over 10 hours of dedicated exhibit floor time (including the opening night reception), AEC BuildTech offers numerous exhibits and product demonstrations to provide solutions that you can implement immediately.

Never before have so many leaders and key stakeholders in AEC-related professions gathered together for one event.

“With the variety of industries represented at BuildTech, learning about the synergy of building solutions that exist should be eye-opening — no one does things the way they did it 20 years ago, and a new event like BuildTech is going to capture a spirit of innovation,” said Mike Murphy, publisher, The NEWS. “This event brings together innovative and influential people, including architects, engineers, and contractors, who will meet each other on the trade show floor and in social settings.

“Successful collaboration between these groups is essential.,” he added. “Never before have we seen this all under one roof.”

But let’s be honest, the majority of our readers will be focused on the HVACR/Mechanical Systems track. Topics that will be tackled during these sessions include building information modeling (BIM), controls, and VRF.

Another highlight looks to be keynote speaker Steve Jones, the senior director of industry insights research at Dodge Data & Analytics. Jones will discuss the key trends that are transforming the global construction industry.

For more information or to register for the event, visit www.aecbuildtech.com.

Publication date: 3/4/2019

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