ARBS preview: What to expect in 2024

Australia’s largest international HVAC&R and building services trade show, ARBS 2024, begins in Sydney this morning. HVAC&R News takes a look at the major drawcards of the biggest show in town.

Where the industry gathers

ARBS 2024 is expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels, with more than 350 exhibitors from Australia and abroad, along with an anticipated 9,000 visitors across its three days.

Attendees will have the chance to speak with manufacturers and distributors, see cutting-edge products and applications, and delve into industry-leading design and innovation.

“ARBS is where the entire industry gathers to share innovations, expertise and the latest trends,” says ARBS CEO Amanda Searle.

“It’s an exceptional platform for professionals to connect and engage with the best in our industry, offering opportunities to strengthen existing relationships and forge new ones.”

Speak up

The ARBS 2024 seminar program provides visitors with a unique opportunity to hear from a host of industry leaders as they share their knowledge and expertise on the most pressing HVAC&R topics.

Alongside broad-based discussions on topics such as decarbonisation and the impact of AI on the industry, there will also be plenty of practical and applicable content tailored to HVAC&R technicians and others working at the industry’s “cold face”.

Sessions run across all three days of ARBS. Highlights include:

• An address from ASHRAE President Ginger Scoggins on tackling the global climate crisis
• A panel including AIRAH CEO Sami Zheng, Affil.AIRAH, and AIRAH President Paul Jackson, F.AIRAH, on VET sector training
• A session on updates to the NCC by Brett Fairweather, M.AIRAH, and Erica Kenna, M.AIRAH
• A presentation from AIRAH’s Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Special Technical Group (STG) on its best practice guide
• A panel session with AIRAH’s recently formed Electrification STG.

Women of AIRAH Breakfast

Join AIRAH from 7am on Wednesday, May 29 for the Women of AIRAH Breakfast.

As well as supporting AIRAH’s Women of AIRAH STG, attendees will hear from inspiring speakers promoting the place and opportunities for women in our industry.

Guest speaker at the breakfast will be ASHRAE President Ginger Scoggins.

The event is supported by Women of AIRAH national sponsors Daikin and Fantech, as well as supporting sponsor A.G. Coombs. Go to the AIRAH website for more details and to register.

Just awards

The ARBS 2024 Industry Awards and Gala Dinner will again recognise excellence from across the HVAC&R and building services industries, as well as honour and reward the talent within the Australian industry.

As ARBS 2022 Young Achiever Award winner Grace Foo, M.AIRAH, said when accepting her honour, the awards are a catalyst for fostering change, presenting new opportunities, and driving innovation in the industry.

“I have used this award as a vehicle to bring in more women, and to support the women and the causes that I’m passionate about,” Foo said. “But at the same time, it’s also a way for me to make change and impact in the industry.”

This year, there’ll be a new group of young achievers to celebrate, as well as finalists in five other categories recognising excellence in refrigeration and HVAC products, software, projects, and education.

New inductees will also be entered into the prestigious ARBS Hall of Fame.

To be hosted by acclaimed Australian actor and Logie Award winner Rob Carlton, this year’s ARBS Industry Awards Gala Dinner will be held at the ICC Sydney Ballroom on Wednesday, May 29, from 7pm.

Highly skilled

As has become tradition, WorldSkills Australia will again present the best and brightest young air conditioning and refrigeration talent on the ARBS exhibition floor.

Visitors to ARBS 2024 can expect informative sessions and interactive opportunities as regional competitors showcase their talents in front of the industry. You can visit WorldSkills Australia at stand 1000–1011.

Hot off the press!

Ecolibrium and HVAC&R News will be at ARBS 2024 too!

Part of the AIRAH stand (stand 596/597), the team will have plenty of copies of Ecolibrium and HVAC&R News on hand. You can also find out more about advertising with us.

AIRAH will also be showcasing its educational offerings, including technical resources, courses, programs and opportunities for professional development, as well as AIRAH’s popular conferences and events.

“We welcome all conference attendees to stand 596/597 to meet our AIRAH staff, learn about our conferences and education programs, discuss the most important topics in HVAC&R, and pick up the latest issues of Ecolibrium and HVAC&R News,” says AIRAH Conference and Events Manager Marie Karekla.