ARBS releases exhibition report, announces dates for ARBS 2026

It’s official: ARBS 2024 was the most successful rendition in the event’s history, with 353 exhibitors and 9,378 visitors. That’s according to a newly released report summarising the highlights of the event.

Alongside the report’s release, ARBS CEO Amanda Searle also announced that ARBS 2026 would take place from May 5–7, 2026 in Melbourne.

An international flavour

According to the report, 129 of the 353 exhibitors were from international organisations. Visitors travelled to Australia from Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, the USA and Vietnam.

Over 68 per cent of visitors were primary decision-makers or influencers, leading to significant lead generation and networking opportunities.

Something for everyone

Aside from the trade show, ARBS also featured an extensive seminar schedule that included 45 sessions conducted by 102 industry leaders. These sessions covered topics such as electrification, climate change, and the strategic pursuit of net-zero targets.

The three-day event also included the ARBS Industry Awards, which recognised outstanding achievements within the HVAC&R industry. Other special initiatives such as the Women in HVAC&R program highlighted the organisation’s commitment to diversity and leadership.

According to the report, the general feedback was excellent, with 76.74 per cent of attendees stating they found products or services they will use in the next two years and 77.61 per cent saying they found suppliers they would use.

“We are thrilled with the feedback, which is overwhelmingly positive,” says Searle. “This is reflected in the event being rated ‘excellent’ by visitors and exhibitors.”

The full report is available to download here.