THE exhibition season is upon us (not that it ever seems to leave us).
Many of you will have visited RAC/H&V07 at the NEC; some will be considering a trip to ISH, the massive German heating and ventilating show, and some will be hoping to spend a couple of hours at the Manchester HEVAR (April 18 and 19 at Manchester United Football Club).
There are many other exhibitions across the world as you will see from the Diary Dates column in the News section of this magazine.
I believe in exhibitions. Yes, I know that Faversham House, the company I work for, runs exhibitions but I see that as a natural extension of its publishing business. It is another way of providing you, the readers, with more information.
I hope readers believe in them too.
Yes, I know there are commercial considerations to take into account.
Yes, I know that taking two or three men off the job for a couple of hours costs money but what does it give a firm?
First, it is a chance to see new equipment.
The London HEVAR show had more than 100 stands.
Where else can you see 100 different types of heating, ventilating, air conditioning, grilles, deairators, actuators, water treatments, duct cleaning, et al in a couple of hours?
Add a chance to listen to someone of the stature of top government advisor Ant Wilson, or hear the latest on stepping up energy performance and the cost in man hours can be rewarding.
Consumers are becoming more aware of climate change. More to the point, the recent hike in gas prices is making them more aware of what is happening.
Solar and wind turbines are sexy as Tory leader David Cameron is proving in his charge for the moral green high ground.
The question you have to ask yourselves is: when a company or the developer of a new estate or even a householder, comes to your firm and wants to discuss a heat pump (ground source or air) or CHP or photo-voltaic cells or (very soon, a fuel cell), will your firm be able to offer only another condensing boiler installation?
We live in a changing world.
Only change is a constant.
If your firm drops behind, then be assured there will be another one up there to take your place.
None of us can afford to stand still because that means the firm is going backwards.
What is a couple of hours when the future is at stake?
As I said before, where else can you see so many manufacturers and suppliers in a couple of hours, meet with fellow installers - and for those who visit Manchester HEVAR, there is even a tour of Manchester United Football ground?
You know it makes sense!
Paul Braithwaite,
Editor