ASHRAE Journal - January 2015 - 4

COMMENTARY
1791 Tullie Circle NE
Atlanta, GA 30329-2305
Phone: 404-636-8400
Fax: 404-321-5478 | www.ashrae.org
PUBLISHER
W. Stephen Comstock
EDITORIAL
Editor
Fred Turner
fturner@ashrae.org
Managing Editor
Sarah Foster
sfoster@ashrae.org
Associate Editor
Rebecca Matyasovski
rmatyasovski@ashrae.org
Associate Editor
Christopher Weems
cweems@ashrae.org
Associate Editor
Jeri Alger
jalger@ashrae.org
Assistant Editor
Tani Palefski
tpalefski@ashrae.org
PUBLISHING SERVICES
Publishing Services Manager
David Soltis
Production
Jayne Jackson
Tracy Becker
ADVERTISING
Associate Publisher,
ASHRAE Media Advertising
Greg Martin
gmartin@ashrae.org
Advertising Production Coordinator
Vanessa Johnson
vjohnson@ashrae.org
CIRCULATION
Circulation Specialist
David Soltis
dsoltis@ashrae.org
ASHRAE OFFICERS
President
Thomas H. Phoenix, P.E.
President-Elect
T. David Underwood, P.Eng.
Treasurer
Timothy G. Wentz, P.E.
Vice Presidents
Darryl K. Boyce, P.Eng.
Charles E. Gulledge III
Bjarne W. Olesen, Ph.D.
James K. Vallort
Secretary & Executive Vice President
Jeff H. Littleton
POLICY GROUP
2014 - 15 Chair
Publications Committee
Michael R. Brambley, Ph.D.
Washington Office
washdc@ashrae.org

AHR Expo and Chicago

Fred Turner

Opinions differ on why Chicago hosts
super-sized AHR Expos, but everyone
agrees that it's not the weather.
This year's Show continues the
Chicago trend, and then some. It'll be at
least 10% larger than the previous largest AHR Expo.
"I'm not surprised Chicago is going
to be big, but I am surprised about how
big," says Clay Stevens, president of
International Exposition Company, the
Show's owner and manager.
He expects a record 2,100 exhibitors
this year, which will include about 365
companies that have never been in the
Show, and 591 international exhibitors,
a 15% increase from last year in New
York. Attendee pre-registration also is
running far ahead of previous years.

and Show Guide. It was prepared for
distribution on the Show floor, but it's
also a handy reference for the year.
Included are more than 300 product
descriptions and more than 200 ads.
All provide online access to further
information.
A special part of the Show Guide is
the AHR Expo Innovation Awards.
This competition is sponsored by
ASHRAE, the Air-Conditioning,
Heating and Refrigeration Institute
(AHRI), and International Exposition
Company.
What makes it special is that products
are judged by ASHRAE members who
are experienced practitioners. These
judges reviewed 160 products to determine winners in 10 categories. Thirty
other products were awarded honorCHICAGO HAS a special relationable mention. A 2015 Product of the
ship with AHR Expo. The first Show was Year will be announced during ceremoheld there in 1936 with 300 exhibitors nies at AHR Expo.
and rotated between Chicago and an
East Coast city until 1972. Chicago has
IF YOU HAVEN'T attended a recent
hosted the six largest Shows, all since
Show, you should. Much has changed as
1999, and has hosted five of the six best a technology responds to the demand
attended.
for energy efficiency and sustainability.
The location near population centers A pre-Show survey showed that 70%
is likely one reason and easy access by of exhibitors plan to introduce a new
air is another, says Stevens. An improv- product, and 52% said their new proding market is another.
uct is intended to improve energy
"I also think Chicago has built up
efficiency.
some momentum," he said. "Both
This would seem especially important
exhibitors and visitors have become
for ASHRAE members who want to proused to Chicago being the biggest. If
vide the best possible solutions for their
you're picking Shows, you're going to
clients.
include Chicago."
The Show also is a significant source
of revenue for ASHRAE, so ASHRAE
THIS EDITION features ASHRAE
members can learn what's new and also
Journal's Official AHR Expo Product
support ASHRAE and their industry.

ASHRAE Journal reviews current HVAC&R technology of broad interest through publication of applications-oriented articles. Content ranges from back-to-basics features to reviews of emerging technologies.
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