AHR Expo and ASHRAE make welcome return
9th January 2022
USA: The AHR Expo and ASHRAE winter conference, which are set to go ahead at the end of this month, mark the welcome return of major international HVAC industry events.
The coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of the scheduled live events in Chicago last year. The ASHRAE conference still took place but as an online virtual event.
Their return this year to Las Vegas is to be applauded, but ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are still likely to affect attendee numbers.
ASHRAE is running from January 29 to February 2 at Caesars Palace and AHR Expo from January 31 to February 2 at the nearby Las Vegas Convention Center.
In the current circumstances the exhibitor numbers of “more than 1,650” quoted by the AHR Expo organiser is an admirable achievement, although around 16% down on the 1,968 at the last event in Las Vegas in 2017. Not surprisingly, much of the downturn can be attributed to a drop in international participation – 300+ foreign companies this year compared to 541 in 2017.
The ASHRAE conference meanwhile will be a hybrid live and online event. In-person attendees can expect typical conference offerings in terms of social events, tours and the technical programme. Virtual attendees will have access to 12+ live-streamed sessions.
Strict policies have been put in place to ensure the health and safety of attendees, visitors and exhibitors.
Masks are required for all indoors at both events. In the case of the AHR Expo, there are no capacity limits or one-way aisles, neither are there are any crowd density requirements. However, be aware that recommendations from local health authorities and the CDC are being continuously monitored, so it is advisable to check with the respective organiser for the latest information – AHR Expo and ASHRAE.
