AHR Expo Recap

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This year AHR Expo shattered the record for the best-attended southwest show (29,000 plus visitors in the first day and 49,700 total attendees), most exhibitors (1,951) and the largest square footage. The overall show traffic was robust with engineers, contractors and distributors.

LonMark’s booth in the heart of the Automation Isle saw a steady flow of traffic throughout the week, where we were engaged in discussions with current members and generated interested of potential new members. We supported and highlighted 24 LonMark members displaying their products and services at the show and distributed various LonMark brochures, helping drive visibility and interest. We engaged with key media contacts with a total of 10 press meetings and had a strong overall presence.

The show highlight, once again, was LonMark’s two-day free education seminars program, which was well attended. Session attendees discovered new content and insightful perspectives such as the importance of open interoperability, the value of standard LonMark profiles, certification for products, people and companies, security, cloud-computing, etc. Many of the seminar presentations were recorded. To download the presentations and audio files please visit: http://www.lonmark.org/ connection/presentations/2013/ q1/ahr/.

On Jan. 29^th LonMark International and industry associations ASHRAE SSPC 135, Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA), ClimateTalk Alliance, EnOcean Alliance and OpenADR Alliance came together to present their perspectives in an open forum discussion. It was standing room only with 130 attendees, the discussion provided attendees with a unique opportunity to learn about the challenges facing the building and home automation market today and how as an industry these communities will collectively address the latest trends on an ongoing basis.

Industry panelists included:

· Carl Neilson, Chairman, ASHRAE SSPC 135

· Ron Zimmer, President and CEO, CABA

· Craig Johnson, Chairman, ClimateTalk Alliance

· Cory Vanderpool, Director Business Development, EnOcean Alliance

· Tracy Markie, Chairman, LonMark International

· Barry Haaser, Executive Director, OpenADR Alliance

Key areas of collaboration that came from the forum include the development of an education program that would include content and insight from the associations and continue to explore cross-industry connectivity that would provide a common profile model for integrators and engineers. If you would like to stay informed of these cooperative initiatives, please email info@lonmark.org. Plans are in the works for an ongoing collaborative task force where LonMark and the other associations are working towards to address key cross-association industry issues.

The night concluded with a cocktail reception that gave members and prospects an opportunity to discuss exciting new business opportunities. Thank you again to our co-sponsors: CABA, ClimateTalk Alliance and OpenADR Alliance. Overall this year’s event was a success and we look forward to continuing the momentum.