Challenging Economy Can't Slow Busy 2009 AHR EXPO In Chicago

WESTPORT, Connecticut…February 5, 2009 – Despite the turbulent economy, the 61st AHR EXPO®, held at Chicago’s McCormick Place from January 26-28, was among its biggest and best events of all-time. More than 54,000 registered HVAC/R professionals (including nearly 35,000 attendees and over 19,000 exhibitor personnel) filled the aisles looking for the latest products and technologies on display from more than 1,900 exhibiting companies during the industry’s largest HVAC/R event.

The 2009 Show was larger than last year’s very successful New York show and now ranks as the second largest AHR EXPO (www.ahrexpo.com), just behind the 2006 Chicago Show, in terms of number of exhibiting companies (1,911). The 2009 event also ranks as the fourth largest AHR EXPO of all-time in terms of square footage (396,048 net square feet). Other impressive figures included:
• 34,973 attendees
• 19,095 exhibitor personnel
• 5,383 international attendees
• 383 exhibiting companies from outside the U.S.

Many participants as well as Show Management were very pleased with the quantity and quality of attendees, especially given the current economic conditions.

Gerald Longinetti of ASCO Numatics said, “We were concerned that with the economy, attendance would be down, but we’ve found that it’s been comparable to other very successful Chicago AHR EXPO’s. The quality of leads has been the best we’ve seen.”

Karen Jackson of Jackson Industries added, “This is our first HVAC show and we are amazed at the amount of interest we’ve received. It was phenomenal.”

“Even though the economy is struggling, the crowd that came out for the 2009 Show exceeded our expectations,” said Clay Stevens, President of International Exposition Company, which produces and manages the AHR EXPO. “The aisles were crowded and exhibitors in general were very pleased with the turnout at their booths.”

2009 Show Highlights
The 2009 AHR EXPO showcased several notable highlights, including:
• The 2009 AHR EXPO Product of the Year Award was presented to Danfoss, Inc. In addition, nine of the 106 products entered received first place honors in the 7th annual AHR EXPO Innovation Awards competition. A complete list of winners can be found at www.ahrexpo.com/innovation
• Several ‘green’ Show features, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star Program hosting an information booth, the U.S. Green Building Council hosting a full-day LEED educational program, and hundreds of the latest ‘green’ products unveiled during the three-day AHR EXPO
• Attendees had the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on learning opportunities from the Partnership for Environmental Leadership’s popular HVAC Mobile Green Classroom.
• 70 educational sessions and workshops offered by the AHR EXPO, AHRI, ASHRAE and other endorsing associations covered critical topics in the HVAC/R industry.
• $8,100 was donated to HomeAid Chicago to assist in providing a complete climate control system reworking for a domestic violence shelter in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. The donation was comprised of the entry fees for the AHR EXPO Innovation Awards competition and over the seven years of its existence, donations to various institutions have totaled over $50,000.

The 2010 AHR EXPO will take place from January 25-27 in Orlando, Florida. For more information on the 2009 AHR EXPO, visit www.ahrexpo.com.

About the AHR EXPO
As the largest and most comprehensive HVAC/R exposition, the AHR EXPO attracts tens of thousands of attendees from all facets of the industry, including contractors, engineers, dealers, distributors, wholesalers, OEMs, architects, builders, industrial plant operators, facility owners and managers, agents and reps.

Since 1930, the AHR EXPO has been the HVAC/R professional’s best resource for new products, new ideas and new services. It’s a hands-on, interactive event that showcases a wide spectrum of equipment, systems, and components. This unique industry forum creates a dynamic marketing environment unequaled in size and scope by any other industry event.

The AHR EXPO is produced and managed by International Exposition Company, 15 Franklin Street, Westport, CT 06880; telephone: 203-221-9232; fax: 203-221-9260; e-mail: info@ahrexpo.com; website: www.ahrexpo.com.

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