Conventions

Mar. 22-24, 2012. CMX-CIPHEX is the biennial trade exposition for the HVACR and Plumbing sectors of the mechanicals industry, presented on behalf of HRAI (The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada) and CIPH (The Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating) at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.  The show launched its new Emerging Technologies feature. The new area, designed to highlight the latest in future-oriented solutions, incorporated innovative sustainable technologies, a first for the show.  “As technologies like solar and geothermal become more widely accepted and take a stronger hold in the market, CMX-CIPHEX is the place to showcase them”, said HRAI President, Warren Heeley. Delegates were plumb overwhelmed by it all…

Mar. 19-21, 2012. PV America West is all about PV Solar Technology, the PV part standing for photo-voltaic cells.  The U.S. solar industry is thriving and creating jobs despite a difficult national economy, we heard, but like any growing industry solar has been facing plenty of bumps on the road to lasting success. As the price of PV continues to fall,  utilities have an increasing interest in expanding its role in their energy portfolios.  Delegates learned there is a role for small business and entrepreneurs in the solar industry in innovation, sustainability, economic development and job creation. The whole event seemed to be determined to “let the sunshine in”…..

Jan. 30 – Feb. 04, 2012. SSPC is the Society for Protective Coatings. It calls itself  ”The only Technical Conference and Trade Show specifically developed for key stakeholders in a protective coatings project”. Who?  Well, that would be the “Painting Contractors, Facility Owners, Coating Manufacturers, Equipment Suppliers, Inspectors, and the Engineers focused on protecting critical assets and infrastructure using protective coatings”. The technical program went into issues like Standards Most Frequently Used, Suspended Scaffold Access, Green COAT Programming) and Failure Analysis.  Anyone got a protective coating to protect people from a sluggish economic recovery?

Jan. 18-20, 2012. The WRLA is Canada’s Western Retail Lumber Association, and they are dedicated to “connecting the Building Supply Industry”.  This is a trade-only show, and “admission is restricted to WRLA, BSIA, AQMAT, LBMAO and ABSDA Building Supply Retailers, Pre-Registered Exhibitors, and Pre-Registered Associate Members. No contractors or installers shall be admitted to the show and the general public is also specifically excluded”. So don’t even THINK about trying to gate-crash THIS party.  For those privileged to be admitted, official Prairie Showcase business was evenly balanced by sponsored lunches, dinners and entertainments.  You can see why uninvited outsiders would want to muscle their way in…