If you've been meaning to brush up on your professional development, stop pondering and start packing for ISH North America. ISH NA, the industry's largest and most comprehensive seminar program and product exposition, takes place Oct. 12-16 in Boston. Most events will take place in the new Boston Convention Center.
This third installment of ISH NA is the most expansive yet, with 70 ISH NA seminars, dozens of association-sponsored classes, and several technical certification courses available throughout the week. Seven distinct seminar tracks are offered through the ISH seminar program: Hydronics, Radiant Heating, Plumbing, Kitchen & Bath, HVAC, Environmental Systems, and Business Management and Marketing.
Tools, software, products, and equipment will be on display during the ISH NA Expo, which includes more than 500 exhibitors over three days (Thursday, Oct. 14-Saturday, Oct. 16). This year's show floor features new pavilions and on-floor demonstrations. Expo admission is free for seminar registrants.
Perhaps you are looking to network with other pros? Three ISH NA partner associations-American Supply Association (ASA), Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association (PHCC), and Radiant Panel Association (RPA)-each will hold its annual convention during the week. ISH NA partner Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) will host a reception. And at least 20 other endorsing organizations will participate in ISH NA with seminars, courses and booths in the Expo hall.
Education Abounds
Contractors, wholesalers, designers, engineers and reps will find multiple seminars to help improve their knowledge and skills.The ISH NA Seminar program kicks off at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14, with a keynote address by hydronics expert and PME columnist Dan Holohan, followed by 11 concurrent seminars at 9 a.m. and nine concurrent seminars at 3 p.m. On Friday, 36 seminars will be presented over the course of three time slots: 8 a.m., 9:45 a.m., and 3 p.m. On Saturday, another 12 concurrent seminars will be presented during one time slot at 9 a.m. Most seminars run 1-1/2 hours.
The Hydronics Institute Division of GAMA will present a two-day I=B=R School Oct. 12-13 in Room 103 of the Boston Convention Center. The course will cover hydronic heating system design and installation, heat loss calculations, boiler sizing, pipe sizing, zoning, wiring, circulation selection and much more. Cost for the school is $395 and includes lunch, beverage service, two illustrated textbooks, and a certificate of completion. Contact Keri Wrobel of BNP Media (I=B=R School manager) at (888) 530-6714, or register online at www.bnpmedia.com/conferences.
RPA will present three specialized educational opportunities: "Radiant Basics" runs Thursday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., the RPA Certification Exam is offered on Friday at 9 a.m., and "Radiant Precision" runs Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Visit www.rpaconference.com.
A Special Event Luncheon featuring David Kohler of the Kohler Co. will take place Thursday at noon. Kohler will speak on "The Future of the Industry." The cost is $35, and advance registration is suggested. Visit www.ish-na.com for more information.
The PHCC Educational Foundation is sponsoring a free NATE Review Course to help prepare technicians for taking the NATE core exam. The review session will be held Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Pre-registration is NOT required, and you can sign up onsite.
The first-ever Product Demonstration Sessions will be offered on the show floor during the three days of the Expo. These manufacturer-sponsored sessions will provide hands-on demonstrations for the design, installation, maintenance or use of products, tools and services.
ISH NA Expo Hours at the Boston Convention Center
Thursday: 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.Friday: 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Your Company Makes That?
From access doors to zone controls, you will see every type of product, tool, software and related equipment and service at the ISH NA Expo. With 500+ exhibitors coming from the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, China, Taiwan, Turkey, Hong Kong, Peru, South Korea, Switzerland, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic, you will discover new and never-before-seen products.Several pavilions will showcase products and ideas. The New Product Showcase returns, along with PHCC's on-site Apprenticeship Contest. The cutting-edge Smart House and the Technology Pavilion will include the latest electronics and software available.
RPA will present the first-ever Radiant House, spotlighting product installations directly on the show floor in a 16-sq.-ft. area.
Expo attendees also can check out the co-located Boston Plant Engineering & Facilities Management Show, because an ISH NA floor pass allows free entrance to both shows.
There Must Be Others Like Me
The week of ISH NA presents opportunities to network with other industry professionals, including contractors, wholesalers, distributors, manufacturers reps, engineers, architects and educators. Several groups will be ready to encourage, train and support attendees' professional development.The American Supply Association's 35th Annual Convention, "Energize Your Mind," kicks off Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 12, at the Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel. For details or to register, visit www.asa.net or call (312) 464-0090.
The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association's Annual Convention, "Revolutionize Your Business," begins Tuesday afternoon at the Sheraton Boston Hotel. For details, visit www.phccweb.org or call (703) 237-8100.
The Radiant Panel Association's Annual Conference takes place Oct. 13-16 in the Boston Convention Center. Registration opens at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 13. For details, visit www.rpaconference.com or call (970) 613-0100.
The Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating also will participate in ISH NA, and many of its members will be attending. For details on connecting with CIPH, visit www.ciph.com or call (416) 695-0447.
But Wait, There's More
Additional organizations participating in ISH NA include:The American Backflow Prevention Association www.abpa.org
American Society of Sanitary Engineering www.asse-plumbing.org
Association of Industry Manufacturers/Representatives Inc. www.aimr.net
Canadian Association of Pump Manufacturers mccullough@ciph.org (e-mail)
Canadian Water Quality Association www.cwqa.com
Construction Contractors Alliance www.phccweb.org/servicegroups
Association of European Heating Industry www.bdh-heizungsindustrie.de*
Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association www.gamanet.org
International Association of Plumbing & Mech. Officials www.iapmo.org
Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada www.mcac.ca
New England Fuel Institute www.nefi.com
PHCC-NA Educational Foundation www.phccweb.org
The PVF Roundtable www.pvf.org
Quality Service Contractors www.qsc-phcc.org
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society www.rses.org
Union Affiliated Contractors www.uac-contractors.org
The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing, Pipefitting, Sprinkler Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada www.ua.org
Water Quality Association www.wqa.org
World Plumbing Conference www.worldplumbing.org
* Visit http://babelfish.altavista.com/ to translate this German language Web site.
Sightseeing, Hotels and Travel
Several hotels are designated for ISH NA attendees, including The Hilton Back Bay, The Wyndam Tremont, Boston Sheraton, Boston Marriott Copley and the Hyatt Harborside, although room availability may be limited. Visit www.ish-na.com to see the most up-to-date hotel costs and options.
Some Boston events are seasonal, and it pays to investigate options for tickets and sightseeing tours before you get to Boston. Contact the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau at www.bostonusa.com or call (617) 867-8277 or (888) 777-2678.
How to Register for ISH NA Seminars and Expo
To register for ISH NA seminars, visit www.ish-na.com, or find the ISH NA Seminar brochure registration form (page 15) inserted into the July PME and fax it to ARsystems at (416) 756-4242. For assistance, call ISH NA Show Manager Messe Frankfurt at (866) 984-8016.Editor's Note: On behalf of our publication and staff, we look forward to seeing you in Boston. Please stop by our booth, #939, and tell us how we can better serve you!
