Tips for your ARBS adventure

Tipped to be one of Australia’s largest industry events for the refrigeration, air conditioning, and building services sector, ARBS 2026 will bring together thousands of industry professionals, more than 300 exhibitors and a stellar line-up of speakers, sessions and product launches at the MCEC.

CEO of ARBS Amanda Searle says the energy heading into ARBS 2026 is extraordinary.

“We have hundreds of brands showcasing the very best the industry has to offer, the exhibition floor that will bring the entire supply chain together in one place and a seminar program that tackles the issues keeping our sector up at night,” she says.

ARBS at a glance 

When: May 5–7, 2026 

Where: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC) 

Exhibition hours: 
Tuesday, May 5, 2026: 10am–6pm 
Wednesday, May 6, 2026: 10am–6pm 
Thursday, May 7, 2026: 10am–4pm 

Who to see

Many exhibitors go all-out with impressive displays at their booths. Some put on special showcases, some have goodie bags, and a few even offer treats like barista-made coffee or soft-serve ice cream! The full list of exhibitors can be viewed here.

AIRAH will be exhibiting at booth 554. Come and see us to check out our technical resources, discuss programs and opportunities for professional development, explore educational offerings and courses, and find out about conferences and events. 

Copies of the latest AIRAH publications and technical manuals will also be available. Visitors to the stand will have a chance to win a Nespresso Vertuo Pop Solo coffee maker.

Slide into a seminar

There are more than 100 seminars and technical talks to attend, so here are a few our team have marked on their dance cards. Please note that registration is required for some sessions.  

• Net zero and the built environment: Turning ambition into action 
  10–11am on Tuesday, May 5 at Clarendon Auditorium 
  Speakers: Tina Perinotto, The Fifth Estate (moderator); Sami Zheng, Affil.AIRAH, CEO AIRAH; Davina Rooney, Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) 
  This panel brings together leaders from climate policy, energy markets and sustainable buildings to explore how Australia can turn net zero ambition into action. The discussion will examine the economic case for decarbonisation, the risks of falling behind, and the practical steps needed from industry, government and the energy sector to deliver a net zero built environment. 
• Expanding the workforce: Inclusion in HVAC&R
  2.30–3pm on Tuesday, May 5 at Clarendon D
  Speakers: Randy Fuller, Randell Fuller and Associates (moderator); Christina Bradley, Powering Skills Organisation; Ashleigh Dalmau, Master Plumber and Mechanical Services Association of Australia; John Graves, Apprenticeships Victoria at Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
  Experts from industry, government, associations and academia will explore how the sector can widen participation across gender, culture, age and background. From apprenticeships and training pathways to workplace culture and leadership, the discussion will focus on practical strategies to build a stronger, more inclusive workforce for the future of HVAC&R.
• Inside NCC 2025
  11am–12pm on Wednesday, May 6 at Clarendon Auditorium
  Speakers: Professor Tony Arnel, ARBS (moderator); Brett Fairweather, F.AIRAH, It’s Engineered; Sonia Holzheimer, M.AIRAH, Sequal Consulting Group & Cool Engineers; Adrian Piani, Australian Building Codes Board
  Join key industry leaders to discuss key changes and how they may impact the HVAC&R and Building Services sectors. The discussion will also touch on new themes and considerations for the NCC.
• Commercial and industrial refrigeration and HVAC with natural refrigerants – Latest global trends
  2–2.45pm on Wednesday, May 6 at Clarendon D
  Speaker: Jan Dusek, ATMOsphere
  Global regulations targeting high-GWP refrigerants and concerns over PFAS/TFA are accelerating the shift toward natural refrigerants like CO₂ (R744), ammonia (R717), and hydrocarbons across cooling and heating sectors worldwide.
• Communicating HVAC&R issues clearly to non-technical stakeholders
  9–11.15am on Thursday, May 7 at Clarendon E
  Speaker: David King, AIRAH
  In HVAC&R, problems often escalate not because of the fault – but because of how it’s communicated. This practical AIRAH workshop equips professionals with the skills to clearly explain technical issues to non-technical stakeholders.
• Clear and present danger – Are you up-to-date on flammable refrigerants? 
  10–10.45am on Thursday, May 7 at Clarendon D 
  Speakers: Simon Bradwell, M.AIRAH, ARBS Foundation and ebm-papst A&NZ (moderator); Kylie Farrelley, Refrigerant Reclaim Australia; Greg Picker, Refrigerants Australia (RRA); Mark Vender, AIRAH 
  Supported by the ARBS Foundation, AIRAH, Refrigerant Reclaim Australia and Refrigerants Australia, a revised Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide has been released. In this session, industry representatives will explain why these resources were developed, how they support the sector’s transition to flammable refrigerants, and why safe refrigerant management across the entire lifecycle – from installation through to recovery and destruction – is essential. 

What’s on show 

The 2026 show floor will be located within the exhibition, and industry professionals can explore the targeted experiences. The pavilions will include: 

• The Education Pavilion – A hub that will connect leading training providers and organisations with students, apprentices, educators and employers 
• The IBTech Pavilion – This pavilion puts a focus on automation, digital engineering and high-performance building technology. The IBTech Talks Theatre will host daily sessions featuring experts who are reshaping how intelligent buildings are designed and operated 
• The International Pavilion – manufacturers and innovators from around the globe will come together, and attendees can compare global HVAC&R and building-services technologies 
• The Presentation Theatre – The Presentation Theatre will offer live technical sessions by exhibitors across three days.  

To find out more about ARBS 2026, visit the website.

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