Conference and Expo exceeded ACCA expectations.
Press Release Summary:
On March 6-8 at Disney's Coronado Springs resort in Orlando, ACCA held its annual meeting with over 1,800 peopled attending over a 3-day period. Themed Imagination in Action, the meeting encouraged new ideas and helped contractors connect with each other. Indoor Air Expo, held in conjunction with conference, featured over 200 booth spaces, while conference featured over 22 breakout workshops, I've Got An Idea session, as well as speakers Scott McKain and Stan Slap.
Original Press Release:
A Record-Breaking Conference & Expo for ACCA
The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), the nationwide association of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) contracting businesses, held the most successful annual meeting in its history from March 6-8 at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando. Themed "Imagination in Action," over 1800 people attended the conference and expo over the three-day period.
The conference implemented several new ideas throughout. "We completely streamlined our schedule, 'blowing it up' to allow new ideas to shine through and help contractors connect with each other," commented Paul Stalknecht, ACCA President & CEO. "Each year it seems our turnout grows and the event is even better than the year before. This year exceeded our expectations."
The Indoor Air Expo, held in conjunction with the conference, featured over 200 booth spaces, the largest floor in the organization's history. The conference featured over 22 breakout workshops suggested and selected entirely by ACCA members; a completely revamped and high-tech "I've Got An Idea" session; and top-notch business practices speakers Scott McKain and Stan Slap.
Conference participants praised this year's efforts. "I have been fortunate to attend three of these meetings, and every time it gets better," said Patti VanKuiken of Seaman's Air Conditioning & Refrigeration in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
We Never Imagined This...
On Tuesday, March 6th, participants witnessed the first hint that this year's conference would be like no other. Not only did opening keynote Scott McKain get a standing ovation and raves from the audience for his presentation on "what customers really want" (followed by a sold-out book signing), but there were entertaining surprises throughout, including a memorable appearance from the Fairy Godmother that left ACCA CEO Paul Stalknecht speechless.
The conference general sessions, which feature state-of-the-art technical and lighting wizardry, are made possible by the association's Platinum Elite sponsors, who offer significant support for the conference. This year's Platinum Elite sponsors were: York International; Lennox; Trane; Carrier; Nordyne; Rheem Manufacturing; American Standard; International Comfort Products; Ruud; and, Emerson.
New this year was a roving video crew that captured in real-time the thoughts and emotions of the overflowing crowd, which were displayed during the general sessions. (Video highlights, along with hundreds of professional photographs from the conference, can be viewed online at www.indoorairexpo.com.)
Manufacturer CEOs Belly Up To The Bar
Since the best conversations at meetings usually happen in bars, this year ACCA brought together four of the CEOs from its Platinum Elite sponsors for just such a conversation. In the past, ACCA's CEO/Contractor Forum featured the participants lined up on stage interview style, but this year we presented them in a more casual setting - in a bar set up on stage!
Participating were Dave Pannier, TRANE/American Standard; David J. LaGrand, NORDYNE INC.; Tom Huntington, Johnson Controls, Inc.; and Halsey Cook, Carrier Corporation.
Mike Murphy, editor-in-chief of the Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News, served as "bartender extraordinaire" as he presented questions to the panel that were contributed by contractors before and during the conference. The CEOs discussed a wide variety of topics including stock issues during the 13 SEER implementation, new technology innovations, training, new distribution methods, and many others.
Forner Takes The Helm, Champions Standards
During the Leadership breakfast Thursday morning, outgoing chairman Richard Dean mentioned ACCA's success in gaining final approval for a joint ACCA/ASHRAE ANSI Standard for Commercial Load Calculations. "Creating industry standards through this kind of committee work is a grueling job that took untold man-hours to accomplish," he commented. "I think that our success in getting a final standard provides a shining example of how giving our time and resources to worthy projects can make important contributions to our industry's future."
Dean thanked the ACCA Past Chairmen, ACCA staff, and his wife Carol for their dedication and support. He also challenged ACCA members to get involved at the grassroots level this year through local politicians and other community organizations.
Following Dean's farewell, Phil Forner, president of Allendale Heating Company, Inc. in Allendale, Michigan was introduced as the 2007-2008 chairman of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America.
Forner spoke of the history of his company and how proud he is of the way his parents worked to build the company and give something back to the industry. He explained, "That is my ambition too: to leave behind a better company and a better industry."
He outlined several possibilities to explore; including convincing Congress to fund last year's legislation for a consumer awareness campaign promoting HVAC maintenance;, creating and enforcing HVACR equipment installation standards and codes; and increasing HVACR contractor participation in ACCA and in the political process.
Forner noted the difference between ACCA years ago and ACCA today. "Years ago, ACCA might not have even tried to affect a major change. We were, frankly, much more inwardly-focused. But just like my company's ambitious founders, today's ACCA has imagination. Most importantly, it has you."
And then...
The Conference closed Thursday afternoon with a look inward. First, ACCA keynote speaker Stan Slap challenged audience members to pay close attention to their company's employee culture as it is a determining factor in the success or failure of any company strategy. "You can't sell it outside if you can't sell it inside," he noted.
Forner urged participants to "go home, implement some new ideas the right way and make a big difference in your company and your community."
While the 39th Annual Conference was one for the record books, the association has been busily planning the next one for many months - and since it will be the 40th annual meeting, there are many new surprises and innovations planned to mark the milestone. "ACCA XL," the 2008 ACCA Conference and Indoor Air Expo, will be held February 5-7, 2008 at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
"We have the best conference for the best contractors in the country," Stalknecht noted, "so it's only fitting that we celebrate our 40th anniversary at one of the best hotels in the country!"
Details about the 40th annual conference will be released soon at www.indoorairexpo.com. For information about exhibiting or sponsoring the event, contact Richard Ware at 703-824-8843 or richard.ware@acca.org.
For over forty years, ACCA has served the nationwide educational, policy, and technical interests of the small businesses who design, install, and maintain indoor environmental systems. For more information, visit www.acca.org.
Contact: Kevin Holland, 703-824-8854
