Penton's Comfortech Brought Mechanical & Electrical Contracting Professionals Together to Discuss Challenges and Opportunities, Event Attendance Grew 21%

NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Penton's Comfortech (www.comfortechshow.com), the premier contractor-focused conference and exposition, powered by Contracting Business.com and Contractor, brought together 1,700 mechanical and electrical contracting professionals and nearly 150 exhibiting companies, growing event attendance 21% September 15-17, 2015 in St. Louis, MO. Comfortech was co-located with association events including Service Roundtable/Service Nation Alliance, Quality Service Contractors, National Comfort Institute, and Women in HVACR and mechanical contractors.

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"Comfortech covered the vital issues and challenges mechanical and electrical contracting professionals face each and every day," said Florence Torres, Show Director, Comfortech. "We received positive feedback from attendees as well as exhibitors around the caliber of the event. Not only was our attendance higher than previous years, but exhibitor resign was also three times higher than last year. We look forward to working with the industry to bring an even more robust event next year."

"This was our first time attending Comfortech. We have attended many events like this in the past.  However, this was by far the best event. The speakers and the breakout sessions were second to none and the vendors were a perfect match to attendees. I cannot believe that anyone left the event without at least one piece of valuable information to better their business," said Tony Gunderson, Hurlburt Heating and Plumbing Inc., Durand, WI.

The Comfortech conference content featured sessions that educated and inspired business transformation while delivering insight on the latest industry trends that are impacting business owners and service professionals. Jim "The Rookie" Morris and Kelly McDonald, Marketing and Consumer Trends Expert, McDonald Marketing both keynoted the event and were well received. In addition, Brigham Dickinson of Power Selling Pros taught a three-part workshop that focused on increasing sales and gaining new customers.

Bob Mader, Content Director, Comfortech said, "The event covered recruiting and customer acquisition and also showcased new industry trends such as variable refrigerant flow equipment, mergers and acquisition and landmines being laid by the Department of Labor and OSHA.  We look forward to examine these topics as well as many others at next year's conference."

In addition, the Comfortech exhibit hall featured leading companies such as Honeywell Generators, Mitsubishi Electric US and Owens Corning, which also saw a 67% increase in attendance over the previous year.

Comfortech also introduced a new and improved mobile app that highlighted the key activities of the event. Mobile downloads increased by 68% over last year's event. The mobile app offered an activity stream, a schedule, a list of exhibitors, a map of the event, a list of all the speakers and a Twitter feed.

This year's event added the C3: Comfortech Contractor Competition in partnership with the National Comfort Institute, Inc. (NCI) and Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC).  Contractors showcased their HVAC and Hydronic skill assessment and Plumbing acumen. Participants were judged on accuracy, skill and timing in the fast-paced competitions.

Competition winners include:

Airside Skills Competition: (NCI)

• Ron McQuerry Owner, 24 Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Glencoe MO
• Jeff Marquess , Training Analyst, Alabama Power Company HVAC Training Center, Verbena, AL

Hydronics Challenge: (NCI)

• Kirk Feeman, Sales and Service, G.R. Freeman, Evanville, IN
• Joseph Hobson, Comfort Specialist, Hunter Heat & Air, Ardmore, OK

Branch Manifold Connection - Plumbing Competition: (PHCC)

• Kirk Freeman, Sales and Service, G.R. Freeman, Evanville, IN
• Tom Corcoran, President, AllPro Heating and Air, Murrieta, California
• Renata Morgan, Century AC/Supply, Dallas, TX
• Jay Owens, Rapid Repair Experts, Raleigh North Carolina
• Joseph Schenk, Student, American Trade School, Saint Ann, MO
• Chris Kraus, Student, American Trade School, Saint Ann, MO

Comfortech 2016 will take place September 20-22, 2016 in Philadelphia. Contact Sam Posa at [email protected] to learn about exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities.  Comfortech365 virtual event will be held again on April 21, 2016.

To learn more about Comfortech follow us on Twitter and visit us at www.comfortechshow.com.

ABOUT PENTON
Penton is an innovative information services company that empowers nearly 20 million business decision makers in markets that drive more than 12 trillion dollars in purchases each year. Our products inform with rich industry insights and workflow tools; engage through dynamic events, education and networking; and advance business with powerful marketing services programs. Penton is the way smart businesses buy, sell and grow.

Headquartered in New York, Penton is privately owned by MidOcean Partners and Wasserstein & Co., LP. For more information, visit http://www.penton.com or follow us on Twitter @PentonNow.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Florence Torres
Show Director
203-358-4385
[email protected]

SOURCE Penton

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