Professionals from the field provide insight, tips and best practices on current industry trends
WESTPORT, Conn– The AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning,
Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) today released the full schedule for the 2025 AHR Expo
Education Program. This year’s program will feature more than 250 sessions, including free
industry seminars, a robust panel series lineup, new product presentations and more.
“Educating our current and future workforce is an area of dedicated attention and effort
across most industry conversations,” said Show Manager, Mark Stevens. “Over the years, the
AHR education program has grown into an important complementary asset to the show
floor experience, lending an opportunity for deeper understanding of what’s happening
within the industry, how to apply skill and knowledge, and how to prepare for shifts.”
The AHR Expo Education Program provides attendees with expert advice aimed to better
understand real-world application and learning relating to current trends and practices
across the industry. Areas of niche discipline, as well as broader discussion of topics that
stretch the full supply chain, will be available to stimulate industry conversation and
professional development.
“AHR Expo is a unique opportunity to pair session learning with application practice due to
the complementary aspect of our education programming and the exhibition floor,” said
Kim Pires, Director of Education. “Taking learning one step further, attendees can apply
what they’ve just learned in a classroom to products, technology, or conversations on the
show floor—creating a valuable opportunity that’s hard to find elsewhere in the industry.”
Attendees can expect the program to address a wide variety of topics and are encouraged to
explore the full program on the website.
2025 Panel Series
AI and Plumbing: How Smart Applications Can Lead to Smooth Waters Ahead
Monday, February 10th at 11:00 AM with John Mullen, IAPMO and Susan Frew of PHCC
leading a discussion for plumbing professionals.
Everything You Need to Know About the Refrigerant Transition and A2Ls
Monday, February 10th at 3:00 PM led by AHRI and including Chuck White, VP of
Regulatory Affairs at PHCC; Jim Cika, Director of PMG Technical Resources at ICC; Samantha
Slater, VP of Government Affairs at AHRI; Scott Stone, Founder and President at Glencoe
Strategies LLC; and Tom Deary, Director of Codes at AHRI.
2025 State of the Industry: Today’s Market, Challenges, Opportunities & What’s
Ahead
Tuesday, February 11th at 10:00 AM moderated by Bryan Orr of HVAC School, including
discussion with M. Dennis Knight, President 2024-2025 ASHRAE; Stephen Yurek, CEO of
AHRI; Talbot Gee, CEO of HARDI; and Dominick Guarino, President and CEO at National
Comfort Institute Inc.
Free Industry Series
The 2025 show will feature more than 230 free sessions led by industry experts. Sessions
will range from 20 minutes in the product theaters, and one to two hours in the classroom
sessions and aim to address the industry’s most pressing challenges and exciting
opportunities. Attendees are invited to attend general HVACR-related sessions, as well as
those that dive deeper into specific professional practice areas.
“The AHR Expo Education Program is the industry’s best place to learn trends, tips, and
growth strategies that span the full industry,” said Kimberly Pires, AHR Expo Education
Program Director. “Our associations design their sessions to address the most pressing
topics within their areas of the industry. The goal is to provide diverse perspectives from
every professional and perspective in HVACR. The opportunity for shared insight supports
healthy communication across the industry.”
Attendees are encouraged to explore the full program on ahrexpo.com. Additional
highlights for the 2025 AHR Expo Free Industry Seminar program include:
Contractors
Refrigerant Detection Systems for Flammable, A2L Refrigerants
Chris Forth, Vice President of Regulatory, Codes & Environmental Affairs, hosted by WHVACR
In this session you will review the transition to low-GWP refrigerants, including mildly
flammable A2Ls, and learn about refrigerant detection systems (RDS). Join to gain an
understanding of what features an RDS must have, how these systems function and how to
quickly determine if they are optional or required for an installation.
SMACNA Large Duct Construction & HVAC Duct Systems Inspection
Shawn O’Hara, Senior Project Manager, SMACNA National; Geoffrey Parks, Senior Project
Manager, SMACNA National, hosted by Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’
National Association
In this session, you will learn what’s driving larger ductwork in the industry today and how
to properly construct and support larger ductwork using the SMACNA HVAC Duct
Construction Standards (4th Edition).
Empowering Green Choices: How Financing Makes Energy Efficiency Affordable
Erica Leonor, Director of Business Development at Goodleap; and Erik Summers, hosted by
WHVACR
In this session you will discover how innovative financing options can empower
homeowners to invest in high-end, energy-efficient HVACR systems through the exploration
of financial tools that make eco-friendly upgrades accessible.
The Digital Revolution in HVAC: AI, Automation, and the Future of Customer Service
Josh Crouch, Founder Relentless Digital and Co-Host Service Business Mastery Podcast and
Tersh Blissett, CEO, Service Emperor; Co-Host Service Business Mastery Podcast, hosted by
AHR Expo
In this session you will learn strategies to integrate ‘digital coworkers’ into your business,
enhancing efficiency and customer service by reviewing real-world examples of AI
improving customer journeys and operations.
Distribution/Supply Chain
Repair, Replacement or Maintenance: Which Strategy Aligns Best with Consumer
Behavior?
Megan Adair, Senior Account Development Manager, Mediagistic; Jennifer Helton, Account
Development Manager, Mediagistic; hosted by WHVACR
Attendees will gain deep insight into how consumer behavior drives better HVAC marketing
outcomes. Discover how focusing on repairs, rather than installations, can be a
game-changer for your HVAC business, as we reveal industry secrets and case studies that
showcase significant growth through service-to-installation strategies.
Revolutionizing Your Business with OpenAI
Colleen Keyworth, Director of Sales & Marketing, Online Access, hosted by WHVACR
Attendees will learn more about the transformative impact of OpenAI technologies in
business, focusing on ethical applications to enhance problem-solving, creativity, and
efficiency.
Engineers
Decarbonizing Commercial and Industrial Heating with Hydrogen Part 1
Paul Glanville, Sr. R&D Director, GTI Energy; Vince McDonell, Director, UC Irvine Combustion
Laboratory, UC Irvine, hosted by AHRI
Part 1, What is the Decarbonization Potential, will introduce the current state of research to
define the upper practical limit of using H2 to decarbonize large commercial and industrial
heating equipment currently using natural gas, the structure of the project for the California
Energy Commission with partners GTI Energy, UC Irvine, EPRI, AHRI, and other industry
partners (AHRI members); provide the context for displacing natural gas in heating
equipment with H2 as a blend or through full conversion to 100% H2 with an overview of
key developments and demonstrations in North America; and review the project’s
preliminary Technoeconomic Assessment of using H2 in commercial/industrial facilities
throughout California and review the Technical Survey of current research regarding the
practical limits of using H2 in heating equipment.
Advancing AI-Driven Microcontroller Solutions: Innovations and Applications
David Kniepkamp, President , Smart Controls, hosted by LonMark International
Attendees will uncover the challenges and opportunities of implementing AI-driven
microcontroller solutions in commercial buildings, supported by real-world case studies
showcasing significant energy savings, improved operational efficiency, and enhanced
tenant satisfaction.
Empowering our Workforce with Emotional Intelligence: Building a Sustainable
Future
Karine Leblanc, ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer, Engineer and Author of How to Be Human in
a Technical World, hosted by AHR Expo
What is Emotional Intelligence (EI)? In this session you’ll discover the importance of EI for
HVAC professionals in managing client demands and team communication under pressure.
We’ll explore the science behind EI, benefits of high EI and learn how to create your
personal action plan through developed strategies that enhance your emotional intelligence
to improve leadership and performance in demanding scenarios.
For Credit Courses
AHR Expo attendees have the opportunity to participate in professional development
courses through ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI), as well as short courses/professional
development seminars approved for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) that can apply
toward maintaining P.E. licensure. Attendees are required to register and pay tuition fees in
advance of the show and can do so either onsite or by visiting the ASHRAE registration
website.
Starting the Path to Net-Zero Buildings Using ASHRAE 90.1-2022 hosted by ASHRAE
Learning Institute
Led by McHenry Wallace, P.E., Member ASHRAE, LEED®AP; Intermediate
3 PDHs/AIA LUs | Check with your state for their continuing education credits
requirements. $249 ($189 ASHRAE Members); early bird discounts may apply.
Changing Environments and Loads for Data Center (High Density, Liquid Cooling,
Edge Computing) hosted by ASHRAE Learning Institute
Led by Brandon Gill, P.E.; Jeff Stein, P.E.; Entry Level
3 PDHs/AIA LUs | Check with your state for their continuing education credits
requirements. $249 ($189 ASHRAE Members); early bird discounts may apply.
Commercial Building Energy Audits hosted by ASHRAE Learning Institute
Led by Joe Hofstetter, P.E.; Intermediate
6 PDHs/AIA LUs | $629 ($509 ASHRAE Members); early bird discounts may apply. Check
with your state for their continuing education credits requirements.
New Product Theaters
Attendees are encouraged to sit in on exhibitor presentations in the New Product Theater.
More than 145 presentations lasting approximately 20 minutes each are planned across all
three days of the show. These free presentations will provide brief overviews of new
product announcements and technologies that can be found in exhibitor booths on the
show floor. Attendees are invited to follow up presentations with a visit to the booth for a
more in-depth explanation and 1:1 interaction with products and representatives. No fee or
individual session registration is required, however, show registration is required..
Safely Handling Flammable Refrigerants in Heat Pumps hosted by Sensata
Technologies Inc.
The core of any Heat Pump is the balance between the temperature and pressure of the
refrigerant which drives system efficiency and safety, particularly with the safety measures
needed to manage R-290 refrigerant. This session addresses sensor-driven solutions to
handle flammable refrigerants.
Faced with the AIM ACT: 3 Simple Steps to Reduce the Impact of Refrigeration hosted
by MATELEX
The refrigeration market is undergoing major changes. Regulations are limiting the
availability of fluids with high global warming potential, leading to higher prices and supply
difficulties. At the same time, refrigeration plant leakage rates and energy consumption
remain high, posing a challenge for refrigeration professionals. Matelex offers a simple
3-step solution to reduce the environmental and financial impact of refrigeration and
simplify the management of a fleet of installations.
Sustainable & Data-Driven Cooling: Güntner’s Intelligent IOT Solutions hosted by
Güntner U.S. LLC
Discover the Intelligent IOT Solutions that can contribute to a better future. Güntner’s
Intelligent IOT Solutions bring significant water savings, energy efficiency, low
maintenance, and other benefits.
The First Step in Your Building Decarbonization Journey hosted by ABB HVAC
Building Automation and Controls
ABB Ability™ Building Analyzer tracks both buildings data (occupancy, equipment runtime
hours, temperatures, and costs) and utilities (energy, gas, water, steam) in real-time and
provides actionable insights to help you save money while improving energy efficiency,
sustainability, and occupant awareness
Attendees can view the complete AHR Expo Education Program schedule, including the
New Product Theaters, on the AHR Expo website. Additionally, attendees are encouraged to
manage their show floor and education program agenda by creating a free MyShow Planner
account and downloading the AHR Expo app.
ABOUT THE AHR EXPO
The AHR Expo is the world’s premier HVACR event, attracting the most comprehensive
gathering of industry professionals from around the globe each year. The show provides a
unique forum where manufacturers of all sizes and specialties, whether major industry
brands or innovative start-ups, can come together to share ideas and showcase the future of
HVACR technology under one roof. Since 1930, the AHR Expo has remained the industry’s
best place for OEMs, engineers, contractors, facility operators, architects, educators and
other industry professionals to explore the latest trends and applications and to cultivate
mutually beneficial business relationships. The next show, co-sponsored by ASHRAE and
AHRI, will be held Feb. 10 – 12, in Orlando, FL, and is held concurrently with ASHRAE’s
Winter Conference.
For more information, visit ahrexpo.com and follow @ahrexpo on Twitter, Instagram,
LinkedIn and Facebook.
The AHR Expo is produced and managed by:
International Exposition Company, Inc.
15 Franklin Street
Westport, CT 06880
Telephone: 203-221-9232
Fax: 203-221-9260
Email: info@ahrexpo.com
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Media Contact:
Nicole Bush
203-226-9232
nbush@ahrexpo.com