ISH North America 2004

Taking a cue from over 500 exhibiting companies, nearly 12,000 attendees and two successful editions, ISH North America show organizer Messe Frankfurt, Inc. looks to making further improvements for the upcoming event.

The seven-track seminar program addresses the increased demand for more detailed sessions within selected industry segments. The scheduled seminar tracks now include: Business Management/Marketing; Environmental Systems; Hydronics; HVAC; Kitchen & Bath; Plumbing; and Radiant Heating.

Radiant Heating is the newest track and is an outgrowth of the popularity of the Hydronics section and the continuing growth of that dynamic market. The Radiant Panel Association's addition to the official partner line-up last year was another factor that allowed for this development of a strong Radiant Heading track. Since Radiant Heating and Hydronics are heavily relied upon heating sources throughout the Northeast region, the two educational tracks promise to offer much needed educational opportunities for the area's contractors, wholesalers, distributors, designers and others eager to learn about the issues and trends important to the industry.

ISH North America's scheduled line-up includes a number of successful, returning speakers. John Siegenthaler, Matt Freije, Hank Darlington, Ellen Rohr, Kirk Alter and Paul Radilla are among the industry names that have agreed to make another appearance at ISH North America with their popular, innovative discussions. These proven presenters led audience-packed sessions in Toronto and Las Vegas at the previous ISH North America shows in 2002 and 2003 respectively.

Each is looking forward to bringing relevant topics to the Boston audience. Session topics will run the gamut from showroom success tips to Legionnaires liability, LEED to water heaters, and much more. Other returning speakers sure to please Boston audiences are Rich Trethewey, an engaging Hydronics expert, and Dan Holohan who will be presenting the keynote address on opening day.

Trade Show consolidation has been the starting premise and mission for ISH North America. Currently the show is a cooperative effort of four prominent associations, American Supply Association (ASA), Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH), Radiant Panel Association (RPA) and Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors - National Association (PHCC), along with international trade show organizer, Messe Frankfurt.

The 2003 event was proud to include a number of additional industry leading sponsor associations such as the Plumbing Contractors of America (PCA), Construction Contractors' Alliance (CCA), American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA), Quality Service Contractors (QSC), Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES), The PVF Roundtable, and many more. Considering the relative youth of the show, these are already impressive results –though, still short of the final goal of a fully integrated industry event covering all related segments. However, those efforts are well underway and are supported by many exhibitors, attendees and industry associations. ISH North America is currently the only trade show fully dedicated to that mission on behalf of the industries served.

Another milestone was the January announcement by the ISH-NA Show Partners that the show will be held on an every-other-year cycle beginning with the upcoming 2004 show in Boston. The next event after Boston will be held in 2006. During the odd years the ISH-NA Partners, PHCC and ASA, will have a combined educational event that is in the process of being developed and is scheduled to include the annual meetings & conventions of the participating Partners and a program of educational, business and social e vents. This move followed the preferences expressed by almost two-thirds of surveyed exhibitors and has since been enthusiastically received by the industry.

Enhanced, focused marketing efforts are designed to increase and expand the attendee audience for the next ISH North America. Continuous development of the conference program, building further industry association alliances and scheduling adjustments are just a few of the ongoing commitments that ISH North America has made to build show attendance. The show has also taken a strong advertising approach in all industry sectors served. The current media plan has scheduled ads in 26 trade publications with more being added in the next few months.

ISH North America 2004 advertising will reach a total circulation of more than 2.5 million. “For a rather young event, we are pleased at the continuing growth of our attendee audience and exhibitor base that has been achieved with the first two editions of the event. However, we feel compelled to continue improving our efforts to ensure that all related industry audiences find the business platform they need in ISH North America,” stated Roland Bleinroth, President of Messe Frankfurt, Inc.

The next ISH North America will be held October 14 -16, 2004 at the new Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Over 500 companies are expected to present their latest products and services to approximately 15,000 trade visitors from around the world.