The 2025 AHR Expo, the nation’s largest HVAC industry trade show, is coming to Orlando from February 10–12, 2025. This premier event will feature over 1,600 exhibitors, offering attendees unparalleled opportunities to explore the latest innovations, connect with industry leaders, and network with contractors from diverse markets.
This year’s expo will showcase more than 350 expert speakers and presentations, including free industry seminars, accredited education sessions, new product theater demonstrations, panel discussions, and live podcasts from the Podcast Pavilion. This comprehensive lineup ensures valuable insights for HVACR professionals across all sectors of the industry.
Below is a chronological list of 41 carefully selected topics and speakers that will be of particular interest to ACprosite.com visitors and eLetter subscribers.
Please note: The schedule is current as of January 15, 2025. For the latest updates, please confirm session times on the official AHR Expo Sessions website.
Monday, February 10:
8:30 – 10:30 am: Psychrometrics Without Tears: All You Ever Wanted to Know About Air and More! Eugene Silberstein, National Programs Director at HVAC Excellence. Description: If we are expected to be air conditioning experts, it is important to first be an expert on the subject of air. In this session, Eugene will discuss the properties of air in an engaging and entertaining manner that will appeal to technicians, contractors, students, and engineers alike. Based on his book, Psychrometrics without Tears, there is something for everyone at this session. If you deal with air, and we know you do, you’ll want to attend this session! W312AB.
9:00 – 10:00 am: Building Cohesion for CSRs, Dispatchers, and Call Center Managers. Angie Snow, Principal Industry Advisor at Service Titan, Erica Leonor, Director of Business Development at Goodleap & Michelle Myers, Founder at Pink Callers. Description: Find out how to enhance book rates, optimize outbound calls, and better manage high-pressure situations by leveraging ServiceTitan functionalities to foster team collaboration. W311AB.
9:00 – 10:00 am: Empowering our Workforce with Emotional Intelligence: Building a Sustainable Future. Karine Leblanc, Modular Solutions Sales Manager – West at Daikin Applied. Description: What is Emotional Intelligence? Discover the importance of EI for HVAC professionals in managing client demands and team communication under pressure. The Science Behind EI: Learn how emotional responses impact decision-making and stress management in high-stakes HVAC environments. Benefits of High Emotional Intelligence: Professionals with high EI handle stress better, resolve conflicts faster, and build stronger relationships. Create Your Personal Action Plan: Develop strategies to enhance your EI, improving leadership and performance in demanding HVAC scenarios. W311D
Credits: 1 PDH | Check with your state for their continuing education credits requirements.
10:00 – 10:50 am: AC Service Tech Answers. Craig Migliaccio, @acservicetech at AC Service Tech Answers. Description: The AC Service Tech Answers podcast is all about answering real HVAC/R related questions, asked by real HVAC/R technicians. Come join us as we tackle problems, questions, and troubleshooting in the world of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration. Podcast Pavilion 2.
10:00 – 11:00 am: What You Need to Know About 25C Homeowner Energy Efficiency Tax Credits. Katherine Hunt, Director, Member Services and Data Analysis at AHRI & Samantha Slater, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at AHRI. Description: This session will cover: An overview of the 25C homeowner energy efficiency tax credit, the status of the PIN assignment system, how AHRI can provide a PIN and a system demonstration. W311EF.
10:30 – 11:30 am: System Air Leakage and Duct Systems Inspection. William Farrell, Senior Project Manager at SMACNA National. Description: Updated procedure for testing air leakage in forced air systems. This standard leaps beyond duct leakage testing, providing means and methods for testing the complete duct system with Accessories (Fire Dampers, Access Doors, VAV’s, etc.) and Equipment (Air Handler, Inline Fans, etc.) installed. Inspection of HVAC Duct Systems will also be discussed. W311D.
11:00 – 11:50 am: HVAC R&D. Rhydon Atzenhoffer, Host at HVAC R&D. Description: Join Rhydon and the #TradeCrew, grab a cold one and enjoy conversations about #HVAC, #Plumbing, #Electrical and life in the #Trades. With over 20 years of experience as a contractor, wholesale distributor and manufactures’ sales representative, Rhydon and the #TradeCrew are changing the game by spreading their belief that the future of trades is about education, growth and fostering a mentality of Collaboration over Competition in all aspects of the trades in order to Evolve and not Dissolve. AHR Podcast Pavilion.
11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Engineering Interest in HVAC/R – How Women Can Drive the Trade Workforce. Jamie Quanrud, Training Offering Leader at Resideo. Description: It’s no secret that women are underrepresented in the trades, but who is encouraging them to join? Resideo’s Jamie Quanrud will share her first-hand experience of building interest among young women and girls in the trades and the important assets at their disposal to empower the next generation of tradespeople.
11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Flammable Refrigerants (A2s and A3s) – What You Need to Know. Brian Rodgers, Principal Engineer, Heating, Cooling; and Commercial Refrigeration, Product Safety at UL Solutions, Kashif Nawaz, Section Head – Building Technologies Research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Jim VerShaw, Chairman, ASHRAE Standard 15.2 Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems in Residential Applications at ASHRAE, Xudong Wang, Vice President of Research at AHRI & Rajan Rajendran, Consultant at Five Rivers Consulting. Description: Even though the transition to A2L refrigerants is not yet complete, some policy makers at the federal and state levels are discussing a follow-on transition to “ultra low-GWP” refrigerants which, at the current time, are categorized by ASHRAE as A3 (flammable). The panel will address: The current state of discussion in states and the federal government, the potential path toward the widespread use of A3s and what this could mean with respect to technician training and safety. W311EF.
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Quantifying the Importance of Technician Training and Certification. John Lanier, President at North American Technician Excellence (NATE). Description: Join us to discover the transformative impact of NATE certification on technician performance and business outcomes. We’ll share detailed findings from our 2024 research project with XOi Technologies, where we tracked over 400 technicians nationwide to understand NATE certification’s effect on productivity, versatility, and business revenue. We’ll also talk about the latest industry trends in technician recruitment and retention as well as share tools you can use to support your technicians’ development. W311D.
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Stronger Together: How Male Allies Help Advance Women in HVAC. Colleen Keyworth, Director of Sales & Marketing at Online Access, Kristin Gallup, Director Product Management at Carrier Enterprises, Madi Sakandé, President at U-3ARC, Marco Buoni, Former President w/ International Affairs – AREA Air Conditioning and Refrigeration European Association; Director – Centro Studi Galileo, Mikaila Ganado, AIRAH President at AIRAH, Steve Gil, Founder and Secretarist at World Refrigeration Day & Yosr Allouche, Director General at International Institute of Refrigeration. Description: Join INWIC’s panel discussion, “Stronger Together: How Male Allies Help Advance Women in HVAC,” featuring four male and two female panelists. This engaging conversation explores the critical role of male allies in fostering gender equity in HVAC. Panelists will share personal stories, discuss challenges women face, and highlight practical strategies for creating inclusive workplaces. Attendees will gain actionable insights on allyship, participate in a Q&A session, and learn ways to support INWIC’s mission of advancing women in the industry. W311AB.
1:30 – 2:30 pm: Leveraging AI and Social Media to Transform your Market Presence. Jen McKee, Founder at Kee Hart Marketing. Description: In this session, discover how to leverage social media and AI to transform your HVAC business. Learn to build a strong online presence that sets you apart in a competitive market, attract top talent through strategic social media campaigns, and streamline your content creation process using AI tools for consistent and impactful online engagement. W312C.
1:45 – 2:05 pm: How to Use AI to Read and Interpret Your Financial Statements. Ruth King, Founder and CEO at HVACChannel.tv and Financially Fit Business LLC. Description: This session shows you how easily AI reads and analyzes your financial statements – in less than 10 minutes a month you’ll see impending issues such as cash flow problems and decreasing profitability and get suggestions on how to fix the issues. You’ll be more profitable, build wealth, and significantly impact your life and the lives of your employees. Theater A.
2:00 – 2:50 pm & 4:00 – 4:50 pm: HVAC School. Bryan Orr, @hvacschool at HVAC School podcast / Kalos. Description: Real training for HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) technicians. Including recorded tech training, interviews, diagnostics and general conversations about the trade. Podcast Pavilions 1 (early session) & 2 (late session).
3:00 – 4:00 pm: The Automation Advantage: Elevate Your HVAC Marketing and Operations. Josh Crouch, Founder Relentless Digital; Co-Founder, Small Business Automations; and Co-Host Service Business Mastery at Service Business Mastery Podcast / Relentless Digital. Description: Unlock the true potential of your HVAC business with cutting-edge marketing automation strategies! In this breakout session, discover how to streamline your marketing efforts, optimize operations, and maximize growth with less effort. Whether you’re looking to improve lead generation, reduce marketing costs, or simplify daily processes, this session will provide actionable insights to elevate your marketing and operational excellence to the next level. W311EF.
4:00 – 5:00 pm: How Do I Make Leadership Easier and More Effective? Chris Michel, Training Director at Service Nation. Description: Leadership is not for the faint of heart. It can be learned and should be practiced daily. So, how do we effectively lead others around us?
This class will teach you how to communicate through listening, speaking and setting boundaries so that you can reach others where they are at. W311AB.
4:00 – 5:00 PM: The Air Upgrade Cure: A Simple Solution to HVAC Equipment Failure. David Richardson, Vice President of Training at National Comfort Institute Inc. Description: HVAC system problems are at an all-time high and customer satisfaction at an all-time low. Two contributing factors are excessive external static pressure and improper airflow. Both are the result of poor installation practices and rule of thumb assumptions. In this session, David Richardson shows you how to reduce the HVAC equipment failure epidemic with Air Upgrades. You’ll see how testing, diagnostics, and a predetermined scope of work can help equipment operate as designed and improve customer comfort. W311D.
Tuesday, February 11:
8:30 – 9:30 am: Profitably Price Repair/Maintenance Programs. Ruth King, Founder and CEO at HVACChannel.tv and Financially Fit Business LLC. Description: Discover how to properly price and job cost maintenance programs so that they benefit the customer and your company. Since the maintenance environment changes depending on economic times and equipment advances, the session reveals how to job cost total scope of work to make sure the customer is profitable for the company. Finally, I will give some proven ways that technicians/salespeople can talk with customers about maintaining their buildings. W312AB.
9:00 – 10:00 am: Revolutionizing Your Business with AI. Colleen Keyworth, Director of Sales & Marketing at Online Access. Description: This presentation explores the transformative impact of AI technologies in business, focusing on ethical applications to enhance problem-solving, creativity, and efficiency. We will discuss practical uses like prompt engineering for tailored AI interactions, strategic AI tool integration for business improvement, and employing AI-generated imagery in marketing. Through real-time examples and applications, we provide a roadmap for companies aiming to ethically leverage AI’s potential. W311AB.
9:00 – 10:00 am: The PATH to High Performance HVAC: A Step-by-Step Approach. David Richardson, Vice President of Training at National Comfort Institute Inc. Description: When implementing High Performance HVAC the options can drive you crazy determining what to do first. In this session, David Richardson will discuss the PATH concept and to make High Performance HVAC part of your company. PATH is an acronym for Pressure, Airflow, Temperature, and Heat – the foundations of HVAC system performance. Each piece represents a step to delivering extraordinary HVAC systems. Learn practical ways to add testing, diagnostics, and system upgrades to your service offerings. W311D.
10:00 – 10:50 am & 4:00 – 4:50 pm: HVAC School. Bryan Orr, @hvacschool at HVAC School podcast / Kalos. Description: Real training for HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) technicians. Including recorded tech training, interviews, diagnostics and general conversations about the trade. Podcast Pavilions 2 (early session) & 1 (late session).
10:00 – 11:00 am: 2025 State of the Industry: Today’s Market, Challenges, Opportunities & What’s Ahead. Bryan Orr, @hvacschool at HVAC School podcast / Kalos, Dominick Guarino, President & CEO at National Comfort Institute Inc., M. Dennis Knight, President, 2024-2025 at ASHRAE, Stephen Yurek, CEO at AHRI & Talbot Gee, HARDI. Description: Industry leadership discussion with Talbot Gee, HARDI; Dominick Guarino, National Comfort Institute, Inc.; M. Dennis Knight, President, 2024-2025 ASHRAE; Stephen Yurek, AHRI; Moderated by Bryan Orr, HVAC School & Kalos. W314.
10:30 – 11:30 am: The Building Side of the Duct System: Where Building Science and HVAC Intersect. Adam Mufich, Instructor and Curriculum Developer at National Comfort Institute Inc. Description: The largest duct in a home is usually the one that is ignored. Pressure imbalances within a home can drastically impact comfort and reduce the efficiency of the HVAC system. The HVAC equipment can contribute to these imbalances which only makes things worse. W311D.
11:00 – 11:50 am: HVAC R&D. Rhydon Atzenhoffer, Host at HVAC R&D. Description: Join Rhydon and the #TradeCrew, grab a cold one and enjoy conversations about #HVAC, #Plumbing, #Electrical and life in the #Trades. With over 20 years of experience as a contractor, wholesale distributor and manufactures’ sales representative, Rhydon and the #TradeCrew are changing the game by spreading their belief that the future of trades is about education, growth and fostering a mentality of Collaboration over Competition in all aspects of the trades in order to Evolve and not Dissolve. Podcast Pavilion 2.
11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Navigating the Workforce Rollover: How to Recruit, Train and Build a Strong HVACR Team Today. Bryan Orr, @hvacschool at HVAC School podcast / Kalos, Chad Simpson, CEO & Owner at Simpson Salute, Chuck Worley, Owner at Worley Home Services, Tom Hearn, GM & Owner at Hearn Plumbing, Heating & Air & Dominick Guarino, President & CEO at National Comfort Institute Inc. Description: While the HVACR industry continues to work towards long-term solutions for replacing the dwindling workforce, and the trades in general, HVAC companies have to deal with the here and now reality of recruiting, hiring, and training new field employees. This panel of company leaders and professionals will tackle these issues, and share how they are successfully recruiting new employees in a variety of different ways. Potential recruits include people with little or no HVAC experience, existing HVACR workforce, technicians from other industries, as well trade school graduates. These companies employ a combination of outside training, new diagnostic technologies, and internal programs to train new recruits for specific roles. One of the keys to long-term retention is offering career paths that align with employee needs and desires for advancement. W314.
11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Repair, Replacement or Maintenance: Which Strategy Aligns Best with Consumer Behavior? Jennifer Helton, Account Development Manager at Mediagistic & Megan Adair, Senior Account Development Manager at Mediagistic. Description: In this 60-minute session, 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. Learn how to align your marketing and tech stack with consumer behavior to maximize your revenue and turn service calls into a hidden gold mine. W312C.
12:00 – 1:00 pm: Florida Homes to Receive $346M in Federal Funds to Upgrade Energy Efficiency. Brooks Rumenik, Florida Office of Energy Homes Program at Florida Office of Energy & Tony Morgan, Florida Office of Energy. Description: The Florida Office of Energy will receive $346M in federal funds from the Inflation Reduction Act to upgrade homes and make them more energy efficient. Homeowners can receive up to $14,000 in tax credits for energy audits, electric heat pumps, and other appliances. Who qualifies? What is the process? Who can provide details? Most of the funds are targeted to single family homes, but multi-family homes can also participate. W310.
Credits: 1 PDH | Check with your state for their continuing education credits requirements.
1:30 -2:30 pm: Power Up Your Leadership: Communication Techniques for Success. Kristen Munn, Business Coach at Nexstar Network. Description: Join “Power Up Your Leadership: Communication Techniques for Success” to enhance your leadership skills through effective communication strategies. Learn to set clear goals and performance metrics to align team expectations, balance formal and informal communication to build trust, and address issues proactively with constructive feedback. Gain practical tools to boost team engagement, improve performance, and foster a cohesive work environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your leadership capabilities. W312C.
2:30 – 3:30 pm: A2L Safety and Mitigation Technology Overview. Nasim Arbab Rahman, PhD, PMP, Product Manager, Commercial Controls and IAQ at Lennox Commercial. Description: The transition to Low GWP refrigerants is underway and may understandably leave some contractors and engineers concerned about its impact on safety. In this session, Nasim Arbab Rahman, PhD, PMP, Product Manager for Lennox Commercial, will share insights on what A2L means and the impacts it will have on the safety and technology behind the products you service and install. We will offer mitigation strategies for leaks and a deeper understanding of how controls will change for both commercial and residential applications. W311AB.
2:30 – 3:30 pm: The Wide World of HVACR: New Motivations, EPA Regulations and Mapping the Path Forward. Karen Meyers, Vice President, Government Affairs (Chair, THE ALLIANCE for Responsible Atmospheric Policy) at Rheem Manufacturing , Rick Rodriguez, Vice President of Sustainability at Siemens Buildings U.S, Todd Grabowski, President of Global Data Center Solutions at Johnson Controls, Troy Harvey, CEO, CoFounder, Chief Product Architect at PassiveLogic & Colleen Keyworth, Director of Sales & Marketing at Online Access. Description: Colleen Keyworth will moderate an in-depth discussion featuring industry leaders as they explore the latest trends and innovations transforming the HVACR sector. Members will address key topics such as evolving EPA regulations, shifting policies, and emerging opportunities for equipment advancement. W314.
3:00 – 4:00 pm: Current & Future Insights of the Home Improvement Customer & the Importance of Finance. Eric Braeckel, Vice President, Client Leader at Synchrony & Fourat Matloub, Assistant Vice President, Client Services Manager at Synchrony. Description: Learn about the financial state of the home improvement customer including their path purchase, demographics and future trends. W312C.
4:00 – 4:50 pm: AC Service Tech Answers. Craig Migliaccio, @acservicetech at AC Service Tech Answers. Description: The AC Service Tech Answers podcast is all about answering real HVAC/R related questions, asked by real HVAC/R technicians. Come join us as we tackle problems, questions, and troubleshooting in the world of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration. Podcast Pavilion 2.
4:00 – 5:00 pm: Marketing and Branding Trends for 2025. Crystal Williams, Founder + Lead Strategist at Lemon Seed Marketing. Description: Join Lemon Seed Marketing’s workshop on *Marketing and Branding Trends for 2025* to discover the top branding trends, strategic growth insights, and powerful tech tools to maximize your customer database. Packed with actionable tips, this session is perfect for business owners eager to gain a competitive edge in the coming year! W311D.
4:30 – 5:30 pm: Online Quoting Tools + Price Transparency: How to be Transparent Without Being Cheap. Tim Brown, Founder/CEO at Hook Agency. Description: How to utilize pricing transparency while still remaining the value leader. Just because you’re price transparent doesn’t mean you have to be cheap. Learn how to turn price objections into video + website content, how to market with pricing transparency, the top tools to use for your website, and why people pay more. W312C.
Wednesday, February 12:
9:00 – 10:00 am: Growth through Acquisition. Jordan Cordro, Loan Officer – Service Contracors at Live Oak Bank. Description: During this presentation you will learn how business owners within the home services space have leveraged the SBA 7a program to grow their business through mergers and acquisitions. We will talk about the SBA 7a terms/benefits, reasons why business owners are looking to grow through acquisition, what a bank is looking for when financing an acquisition, and things to consider when looking for a business or piece of property to buy. W312C.
10:30 – 11:30 am: HVAC Replacement Mastery: How to Sell More and Build Unshakable Customer Loyalty. Laura Kelly, Co-Founder at Clover Marketing LLC. Description: In this session, discover how to master HVAC replacement sales while creating exceptional customer experiences that turn first-time buyers into life-long, raving fans. Learn proven, ethical strategies to boost sales, build trust, and foster unshakable customer loyalty. We’ll reveal key techniques top companies use to exceed expectations and drive lasting growth. If you’re ready to elevate your sales and create customers for life, this is for you! W312AB.
10:30 – 11:30 am: Preserving Your Legacy: Passing Your Business to a Family Member or Key Employee. Patrick Lange, President at Business Modification Group. Description: Have you ever dreamed about keeping your business in the family, or passing it on to a key employee? What if they do not have any money to buy you out, and you do not want to be the bank? In this presentation Patrick Lange shares specific steps to take to make the transaction as smooth as it can be for everyone involved, and what steps to avoid so you do not regret it later. W311G.
11:00 – 11:50 am: HVAC School. Bryan Orr, @hvacschool at HVAC School podcast / Kalos. Description: Real training for HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) technicians. Including recorded tech training, interviews, diagnostics and general conversations about the trade. Podcast Pavilion 1.
12:30 – 1:30 pm: Getting Noticed Online: 5 Ways to Build Your Brand on the Web. Justin Ebright, Lead Marketing Coach at BxB Media. Description: Building a strong online brand is crucial for attracting customers. At Getting Noticed Online: 5 Ways to Build Your Brand on the Web, you’ll learn five key strategies to improve visibility: optimizing your website, using online directories, managing reviews, mastering reputation management, and leveraging Google platforms. Whether you’re just starting or refining your strategy, this session will guide you on where to focus your efforts to grow your brand and engage your audience. Don’t miss the chance to elevate your online presence and drive business! W312C.
NOTE: Schedule is current as of January 15, 2025. Confirm times at AHR Expo Sessions.
