by tradesmeninsights | Feb 6, 2014 | Events/Trade Shows
By Matt Sonnhalter, Vision Architect, Sonnhalter
I attended the 66th International Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Exposition in New York City (January 21-23, 2014). For those not familiar with this trade show, it is the largest HVACR show in the United States, endorsed by 33 leading HVACR industry associations and co-sponsored by ASHRAE and AHRI. This year’s attendance was once again very strong, with more than 61,000 people attending and more than 1,800 exhibitor booths.
Here are five of my observations from the show:
- Strong 2014 Outlook – in addition to the positive sentiment of almost everyone I spoke with at the show, the recent ASHRAE/AHR Expo survey forecasts a pretty good year for the HVACR business. Of the 1,000 HVACR manufacturers worldwide surveyed, 79% of the respondents said their prospects for business were either “excellent” (19%) or “good” (60%) for the coming year, 90% of the HVACR manufacturers believe sales will increase and hospitals/healthcare, light commercial and data/telecom centers were the top three market segments identified to be the most promising for 2014.
- Trade Publications Are Not Dead – 35+ publications had a presence at the this year’s show, each with their army of sales people combing the aisles for new and potential advertisers; there also seemed to be an increase of international publications covering both Latin/South America as well as Asia.
- Technology Continues To Play Strong Role – it seems every year at this show more and more technology is introduced to the products and services showcased, whether it is the software driving these products or the tablets used to control and monitor them. Again this year, there was a dedicated AHR Expo app for the show which not only helped you find your favorite booth, but also had valuable information about the speakers, educational sessions, transportation and local NYC attractions.
- Growing International Attendance – exhibitors from more than 30 countries attended the show. Asian manufacturers have been coming to this show for a number of years and 2014 was no different; however I did notice an uptick of Latin/South American as well as European exhibitors and attendees this year.
- “Efficiency” Is Still The Buzzword – with the way the economy has been over the last few years I think we have all gotten used to “doing more with less.” In the HVAC market that is nothing new, no matter which aisle you walked down during the show “efficiency” rang out in booth messaging, product benefits and sales pitches.
These are just a few of my observations, but if you attended, I would love to hear any key takeaways you had from the show.
by Sonnhalter | Feb 1, 2012 | News, Press Release
Sonnhalter Receives 2011 Silver Davey Award for Insider’s Guide Trade Show Initiative
BEREA, Ohio – February 2012 – Sonnhalter, a communications firm marketing to the professional tradesman in the construction, industrial and MRO markets, received a Silver Davey Award in the Seventh Annual International Davey Awards competition for 2011. Sonnhalter received the award in the Promotional – Specialty Item category for its Insider’s Guides trade show initiative.
The Davey Awards honor the finest creative work from small firms, agencies and companies worldwide. The Davey Awards are named after King David who defeated the giant Goliath with a big idea and a little rock. The story resembles what small firms do each year by deriving strength from big ideas instead of big budgets.
Sonnhalter developed the Insider’s Guides initiative to improve the trade show experience for the exhibitor by offering a guide to the trade show host city. The Insider’s Guides list area restaurants, bars, transportation, entertainment and sightseeing opportunities that were recommended by “insiders” as the places where the locals go. The guides included in the Davey Awards entry were for trade shows in Chicago, Las Vegas, Boston and Phoenix.
The cities featured in the Insider’s Guides were selected based on the industry trade shows that the agency attends within its clients’ markets. Materials within the Insider’s Guides initiative, and Davey Award entry, included printed and electronic versions of the guides, quick reference Insider’s Guide cards, trade publication cover wraps and “Sonnhalter Sacks” with refreshment and entertainment items for trade show exhibitors.
“The Insider’s Guides are Sonnhalter’s way of helping exhibitors find a great place to eat in an unfamiliar city,” said Matt Sonnhalter, vision architect at Sonnhalter.
Sonnhalter continues to offer Insider’s Guides for trade show cities. The firm recently released the Insider’s Guide to San Antonio, the host city for the November 2011 STAFDA Convention. The San Antonio guide is available on Sonnhalter’s website along with the other Insider’s Guides:
Add One: Sonnhalter Receives 2011 Silver Davey Award for Insider’s Guide Trade Show Initiative
About Sonnhalter
Established in 1976, Sonnhalter is the leading B2T marketing communications firm to companies that target professional tradesmen in construction, industrial and MRO markets. Sonnhalter’s brand identity highlights its expertise in marketing to the professional tradesmen. Its tagline, “Not Afraid To Get Our Hands Dirty,” promotes the employees’ willingness to roll up their sleeves and dig deep into clients’ businesses, also, it refers to the market it targets: the tradesmen who work with – and dirty – their hands every day. Sonnhalter developed the acronym “B2T,” which stands for “business-to-tradesmen” to capture the essence of its specialty. In 2009, 2010 and 2011, Sonnhalter was named one of BtoB Magazine’s Top Agencies. For more information, visit the company website at www.Sonnhalter.com or visit the company blog at www.TradesmenInsights.com.
About The Davey Awards
The Davey Awards honors the “Davids” of creativity, the smaller agencies, companies, or organizations with annual billings or revenues below certain levels. Each year, The Davey Awards honors winners who derive their strength from big ideas, rather than big budgets.
The Davey Awards is judged by the International Academy of the Visual Arts, an invitation-only organization consisting of top-tier media, advertising and marketing professionals from the world’s leading organizations and firms. For more information about the Davey Awards, visit www.daveyawards.com.
I attended the 66th International Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Exposition in New York City (January 21-23, 2014). For those not familiar with this trade show, it is the largest HVACR show in the United States, endorsed by 33 leading HVACR industry associations and co-sponsored by ASHRAE and AHRI. This year’s attendance was once again very strong, with more than 61,000 people attending and more than 1,800 exhibitor booths.