The 2023 AHR Expo set the sights on the future of HVACR

The show provides a unique forum where manufacturers and suppliers of all sizes and specialities come together to share ideas and showcase the future of HVACR technology.

The AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) wrapped up the 2023 show in Atlanta, focusing on reshaping the industry’s future together. Show Manager Mark Stevens said, “We heard it in every corner of the industry – HVACR is gearing up for an exciting path forward. As a collective force, we are focused on change and growth inside our industry and anchoring our combined efforts on serious developments to set the course for the future of HVAC. It’s hard to miss the excitement.” The stats indicate the industry’s resurgence.

Atlanta also hosted 17 industry podcasters in the show’s Podcast Pavilion. Industry podcasters dedicated their time to the show covering trending topics and speaking to leaders across the industry with the added excitement of a live audience. The pavilions remained active all three days, resulting in exciting content to roll out in the coming weeks. Full session recordings will be available on ahrexpo.com once produced content is released by hosting podcasters.

Community and communication
There is a growing sense of community in HVACR currently. This year’s AHR Expo set a goal to open new lines of communication between the communities comprising the whole industry, particularly those seeking new channels of discussion. A panel series accomplished this by posing topics and questions to rouse discussion rather than seeking a solution. On the stage this year, we heard from industry leaders heading up our associations, commanders of trending topics and stewards of the trade.

“In the months leading up to the show, we are intentional in our efforts to speak to members from all disciplines within HVACR,” said Stevens. “We are grateful for the unique opportunity to connect all industry audiences and are devoted to representing every role in our education programming. This is an area of growth for us, and the fruits of these efforts are evident in the blossoming conversations. We live in an age of connection, and the need for deepened communication at every level is apparent. As the largest event to host the entire industry, we are delighted to provide a forum to host these conversations in our programming and face-to-face networking on the show floor.”

The leadership from AHRI, ASHRAE, HARDI, NCI and PHCC discussed gaps in the industry that need to be addressed to continue on a progressive path. The group highlighted what is working, areas for improvement and what lies ahead.

This year, AHR Expo expanded its education programming. The headliner panel, ‘HVAC & Social Media: Strengthening the Trade with a Community Mindset’, featuring social media influencers of the industry, was the first of its kind discussion. Hosted by some of the industry’s most active content creators and trade mentors, new lines of communication were formed through a deep dive into an open conversation about how all shareholder roles can work together to better the industry.

Innovation and mapping the future of HVACR

The 2023 AHR Expo Innovation Award Winner for Product of the Year is Cielo WiGle, Inc. for their Cielo Breez Max. The ten industry category winners offer a preview of the explosion of innovation across the industry. New product signage was prominently displayed across the halls, as this year proved to be a big year for progress in HVACR.

The 2023 AHR Expo hosted 42,794 verified visitor and exhibitor personnel, 1,779 total exhibitors, 425 international, and filled 486,000+ square feet of exhibit space. While these numbers are still recalibrating from pre-Covid years, the strong showing from new audiences is a sign of growth and a hopeful indicator for future workforce development.

Next year the Expo will be held in Chicago from January 22-24, 2024.