Industry bodies back Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Show as organisers gear up for growth

The air conditioning and refrigeration industry’s leading trade bodies have given their official backing to the next ACR Show, which takes place on 11 to 13 February, 2014, at the NEC in Birmingham. The event is the only national exhibition for the UK’s cooling, air conditioning and heat pump industry. It enables end users, contractors and consultants to see the latest technology, and get up-to-date with important legal and commercial developments happening across the commercial and industrial cooling sector. Visitors have free access to the industry’s top experts in three days of cutting edge seminars, which will run throughout the event in twin auditoriums on the exhibition floor. Cedric Sloan, director general of FETA, which includes HEVAC, the British Refrigeration Association and Heat Pump Association, said: “Nothing can replace the face-to-face opportunity this show offers. “We are convinced of the need for a national trade exhibition, which acts as the natural focus for clients, contractors and suppliers. It is not simply a showcase for products, allowing customers to see advances in technology; the parallel seminar programme provides the vital updates on legislation, practices and thinking that the industry requires to be competent and professional.” Miriam Rodway, secretary The Institute of Refrigeration, said: “The Institute had a great ACR Show last year, and we are looking forward to an exciting event in 2014. “Our members are always keen to attend and catch up with the latest news and technical issues. Many non-members also visit us at the show to enquire about joining and we were able to sign up quite a few new Technician Members. “ The IOR is already making plans for the ACR Show 2014, where it will focus on the anti-leakage campaign REAL Zero plus its REAL Skills training for engineers. It will also highlight the Young Engineers Network for students, as well as launching new publications, currently under preparation. “We expect our stand to be a hub of activity,” she said. Scott Gleed, chairman of the Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Group of B&ES (Building & Engineering Services Association) says he is “excited to be involved with the ACR Show once again.” “We are looking forward to helping the organisers develop the expert seminars that are a major component of the show,” he said. “B&ES has offered to host a conference session because we are convinced the ACR Show will become a key date in our industry’s calendar. The first show last year did a fantastic job in attracting clients, as well as the mainstream industry; so it offers a great platform for discussing and debating the issues of most importance to our market and our customers.” With just over a year to doors open, a number of well-known companies have already signed up for the show, including AFR Refrigeration, A-Gas, AHT, Broughton, Charles Austen Pumps, Comptec, CPS Products, GEA Searle, Dean & Wood, Dupont, Harp International / Mexichem, Honeywell, Gram, JAVAC, Jumo, Lordan, Mastercool, Maxkold, Primalec, Teknic Refrigeration, UR Refrigeration Wholesale,