A new steering group for the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Show (ACR Show) has met for the first time to build on the success of the event, which was launched at the NEC earlier this year.
The steering group comprises representatives from the industry and the trade's leading professional bodies, including the Institute of Refrigeration (IOR), HEVAC Association, Heat Pump Association and the Building and Engineering Services Association (B&ES).
Members of the group were unanimous in praising the buying power and seniority of visitors to the launch exhibition in February this year. The aim for the next show, which takes place from 11 to 13 February 2014, is to increase exhibitor and visitor numbers and make the show a 'must attend' event with the addition of compelling new features.
Jan Thorpe, exhibition director, said: 'It was an exciting and very valuable conference. People have been fired up by the launch show and the obvious potential to build it for the future. We are grateful to the industry for sharing ideas to take the event to the next level.'
She continued: 'The industry wants and deserves a first class national stage every two years, to come together and present the best it has to offer. With the industry's help, we are committed to delivering this.'
Patrick Mullins, marketing director of leading refrigeration contractor WR Refrigeration, said: 'The number and quality of end users attending the first show was phenomenal. We were able to make contact with the most senior people and arrange business meetings that would otherwise have taken months to achieve. It was extremely valuable for us.'
Vern Klein, sales director at Advanced Engineering, said: 'We saw excellent quality engineers and contractors at the show, and the profile from our point of view was spot on.'
He added: 'There was high interest in our practical presentations. I have no doubt that there is great potential to develop this aspect, with more hands-on demonstrations and 'how to' workshops for the next show.'
The cutting-edge seminar programme, which covered both business and technical issues, was considered to be an outstanding success.
Mike Nankivell, president of HEVAC Association, vice president of the Heat Pump Association, and marketing director of Space Air Conditioning, said: 'One of the great attractions for visitors was the seminar programme. Some people came specifically to attend the star speaker sessions, including some overseas visitors. That obviously says a lot about the quality of the speakers and topics chosen.'
The new ACR Show 2014 exhibition website is now live (
www.acrshow.co.uk). Visitors and exhibitors can register to receive updates on the show, including the latest exhibitors confirming stands, planned technology launches, visitor attractions and the latest news on the technical and business seminar programme.
The ACR Show takes place at the NEC, 11-13 February 2014. It is the only national exhibition dedicated to the air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump industry.
The show is supported by major industry organisations, including the Institute of Refrigeration (IOR), the British Refrigeration Association (BRA), the Federation of Environmental Trades Associations (FETA) and the Building and Engineering Services Association (B&ES).
Many leading companies have already committed to the 2014 show, including: AFR Refrigeration, A-Gas, AHT Cooling Systems, Business Edge, Blygold, Broughton Electro Air Products, Comptec, CPS Products, GEA Searle, Gram, Honeywell, Javac, Jumo, Lordan, Mastercool, Maxkold, Overton Recycling, Oxford Hardware, Primalec, Refco, Teknic Refrigeration, TNC Clips, and TQ Environmental.
Other leading air conditioning and refrigeration companies have reserved stands and are in the process of confirming bookings.
The ACR Show 2014 will be staged in Hall 9, conveniently located for visitors travelling by both car and train.
For more details, visit
www.acrshow.co.uk
