refrigeration

The group’s revamped sponsorships provide contractor members with more value and opportunities for thought leadership

Women in HVACR (WHVACR), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration trades, has announced its new 2025 sponsorship levels, which will bring more value to contractor members and allow them to support women in the trades.

“After listening to feedback from our members, we are taking the opportunity to revamp our sponsorships to add more value for our contractors,” said Women in HVACR President Kristin Gallup. “It’s important that we improve our communication with our members, and these new sponsorship options will allow us to more effectively stay in touch with our members to let them know how their sponsorships are helping women in the skilled trades industry.”

These sponsorships enhance the industry workforce through education, mentoring and networking opportunities that support and empower women currently in the HVACR industry. Women in HVACR provides a sponsor’s female employees with opportunities to advance personally and professionally and boosts the sponsor’s profile in the HVACR industry.

Sponsorship levels include:

• Inspiration
• Champion
• Empowerment
• Visionary
• Luminary
• Guardian

The expanded benefits include a unique sponsor logo from Women in HVACR that can be posted to the sponsor’s website and on social media, tickets to the Women in HVACR conference, preferential booth placement at the conference, and expanded mentorship prospects.

Companies can become an endowment fund sponsor by purchasing an Angel sponsorship. The Angel sponsorship starts at $1,000, but those who want to support the program can donate as much as they like. These endowments go to sponsor scholarships and fund initiatives created by Women in HVACR to help women succeed in the trades.

“We are often asked by company owners about some of the best ways to recruit, hire and retain women in the trades,” Gallup said. “One of the best ways to do that is to sponsor organizations like Women in HVACR. These scholarships and endowments not only create scholarships, they also help us offer mentorship programs and provide ongoing educational programs for our members.”

Other benefits can include opportunities to showcase a sponsor’s thought leadership and dedication to diversity with a speaking opportunity at the AHR Expo in Las Vegas on Feb. 4-6, 2026, webinar collaborations, recognition during a monthly membership call and in a magazine ad in Women in HVACR’s new magazine, Elevate, and an interview on a Women in HVACR partner’s industry podcast.

For more information on how to become a Women in HVACR sponsor, visit https://www.womeninhvacr.org/sponsorship or call them at (480) 805-8403.

Amy O’Grady went from the fashion industry to an effective contractor and leader in the heating and cooling industry 

Women in HVACR (WHVACR), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration trades, today announced it has appointed industry sales and marketing expert and licensed HVAC contractor Amy O’Grady as its first executive director.

O’Grady brings more than 13 years of experience as a licensed contractor, sales and marketing director and events manager to the WHVACR family. She also served four years as the executive director for the North Florida Air Conditioning Contractors Association (NFACCA).

“Women in HVACR has always been a completely volunteer-only organization, but since we now offer such a long list of networking events, educational programs and scholarship funds to our members, we needed someone on our permanent staff to manage all the good work that we do,” said 2024 WHVACR President Lori Tschohl. “With her background in the HVAC industry and executive director leadership, Amy brings a unique blend of creativity and strategic vision to our organization. We are confident she will provide the necessary oversight to help our board achieve its goals and take Women in HVACR to new heights.”

O’Grady is a graduate of Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in textiles and consumer sciences. After starting her career as a product developer and assistant buyer in the fashion industry, O’Grady began honing her leadership skills in business development, marketing and event planning as a  marketing manager for a regional grocery chain and for Charlie’s Tropic Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. in Atlantic Beach, Florida.

“It was during my tenure as marketing director for Charlie’s Tropic that I discovered my passion for the HVAC industry and entrepreneurship,” O’Grady said. “I was able to modernize the company’s identity by crafting unique content and developing data-driven marketing programs to stay on top of the ever-changing digital market.”

She also reached a significant milestone at the HVAC company by becoming a licensed contractor, which helped her master her craft and put her on her current career trajectory.

Her next position was as the executive director for the NFACCA, where she demonstrated her adaptability and willingness to learn new skills. She spent more than four years in this role before accepting the position at WHVACR.

“My role at NFACCA certainly helped prepare me for the job I’m taking on at Women in HVACR,” she said. “I look forward to bringing my industry knowledge to our team so that I can help this organization grow and create a dynamic environment that inspires more women to start careers in the skilled trades.”

For more information about Women in HVACR, visit www.womeninhvacr.org/.

Leading U.S.-based manufacturer of water heaters and boilers announces upcoming appearance at MCEE Show in Montreal

Bradford White Water Heaters, an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, will showcase its diverse range of innovative, high-performing and efficient products at the MCEE Show in Montreal April 19-20.

“The MCEE Show is one of Canada’s premier events for building professionals,” said Mark Williamson, general manager and sales director for Bradford White Canada. “We’re looking forward to connecting with attendees and sharing first-hand demonstrations of our reliable, high-quality solutions. As our industry evolves, we’re committed to delivering proven solutions that allow distributors and contractors to elevate their service in order to thrive and succeed.”

Representatives from Bradford White Water Heaters will be available at Booth #1809 during the MCEE Show. The following Bradford White products will be on hand as well as representatives to provide informative product overviews for all visitors:

• Infiniti® GR Tankless Water Heaters: The ENERGY STAR®-certified Infiniti® GS tankless water heater offers energy efficiency, high performance and cutting-edge features, including a robust stainless steel heat exchanger, high temperature setting of 180 degrees, cascade rack installation and multiple venting options.
• AeroTherm® Series Heat Pump Water Heater: With 50-, 65- and 80-gallon capacity units available, the Bradford White Water Heaters ENERGY STAR®-certified AeroTherm® Series offers value, efficiency and versatility. AeroTherm® Series water heaters are easy to install and maintain and feature the AeroTherm® integrated smart control panel plus five operating modes (heat pump, hybrid, hybrid plus, electric and vacation).
• ElectriFLEX Series™: Bradford White ElectriFLEX Series™ field convertible commercial electric water heaters deliver a fast, reliable solution for commercial customers. Voltage, phase, and kW are field convertible.
• eF Series® Ultra High Efficiency Commercial Gas Water Heater: The ENERGY STAR®-certified eF Series® Ultra High Efficiency Gas Water Heaters feature BMS integration, protective powered anodes, , thermal efficiency up to 97%, ICON HD® controls, direct spark ignition, three-pass fire-tube heat-exchanger system, and an installed T&P relief valve.
• Vitraglas® with Microban®:  Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn about Bradford White’s proprietary tank lining, Vitraglas®, now infused with Microban®, a built-in antimicrobial technology.

The MCEE Show, bringing together more than 6,000 building mechanics professionals, is an unmissable and indispensable event in the Canadian industry and an excellent opportunity to develop your business network. Participants emerge from their MCEE Show experience better informed and more productive in order to make their business more profitable.

For more information about Bradford White Water Heaters, visit https://www.bradfordwhite.com.

AHR 2023 is a wrap, and the biggest U.S. HVAC show marks the 20^th time—minus the COVID year—that I have attended this great event. A huge shoutout to the Stevens family for organizing such a great experience. Also, huge props to Nicole Bush and her press team for helping the trade press throughout the event, and keeping them fed and hydrated.

Now that we’re all back home safely—I hope—we can digest the event and gain a better perspective of what transpired over these past three days. The numbers haven’t been shared yet attendance-wise, but it was a hugely successful event, especially coming through what some call the “COVID years,” where traveling came to a stop—with more people now connecting again.

The MH team, and some old guy.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the manufacturers’ investment in after parties that are always a hit! For the Mechanical Hub crew, for example, it was Taco, Burnham/U.S. Boilers, Rheem, RLS, Franklin Electric, RIDGID and Viega.

From what I heard, over and over again, is that Atlanta just isn’t the most optimum place for a trade show, if I can be perfectly honest. Listen, Atlanta is a wonderful city with plenty to do and many fine places to eat and drink, but the traffic, and the infrastructure to support such a trade show, need to improve. But hey, it was 65 degrees and sunny, and relatively quick flight to the show. So, I suppose it does have its advantages. Where does Atlanta rank for you? Atlanta, Chicago, Orlando, Las Vegas. Perhaps it should be noted that the sooner you book accommodations for a show, the more strategically you will be for rides, dinners, walking, etc.

Nevertheless, I can’t tell you how many people sniped about the layout of the show floor—getting from one end of Exhibit Hall C, and its meeting rooms, to the other end of Exhibit Hall B, and its meeting rooms was a hike. My feet, and the 55,000 steps according my trusty Fitbit, were a testament to that.

Also, as I mentioned, 20 years of covering the event, it’s nice to see the changing of the guard with some young talent in attendance, more pointedly—and I know some don’t like to be referred to as this—social influencers. They cover the floor tirelessly to promote the show and new products. In fact, I was lucky enough to attend the social media breakout on the last day. Ten of the brightest influencers graced the stage to talk about their experiences and the importance of social media, and what it means to be an influencer.

HVAC & Social Media: Strengthening the Trade with a Community Mindset—from l to r: Ben Poole @hvactactical, Jamie Christensen @northwest_hvac, Aaron Bond @bond_aaron, Michael Flynn @flynnstone1, Jeff DeMassari @jeffjdemhvac, Jessica Bannister @hvacjess, Rachel Sylvain @hvacrara, Chris Stephens @hvacrvideos, Eric Aune @mechanicalhub, and last but not least, Omar Harris @omartheplumber.

We also were fortunate to share the stage with some of the best podcasters on the planet, as our Make Trades Great Again, hosted by Eric Aune and Andy Mickelson, featured three podcasts during show hours to much fanfare. Guests included representatives from RIDGID, NIBCO, Navien and guest Travis Albaire, T.A.P. Plumbing and Heating. Check them out wherever you stream. Also, the Appetite for Construction podcast, hosted by John Mesenbrink and Tim Ward, featured two podcasts, which featured guests from Bradford White, Rheem, Spirotherm, Lochinvar, and Danny G and Louie the Boiler Man. These recording will be launched within a couple of weeks. In the meantime, check out these podcasts wherever you like to stream stuff, or you can always find them right here on our site.

The Appetite for Construction Podcast with guests Louie Medina @louietheboilerman and Danny Gronendyke @howitbewithdannyg

The Make Trades Great Again Podcast with guests Michael Provenzano, director of pressing and Jim Vild, Atlanta territory manager, RIDGID.

As far as the latest and greatest, you couldn’t get far without seeing the future. Electrification, decarbonization, hydrogen technology are making waves as more heat pumps, electric furnaces, electric boilers, hybrid heat pumps and prefabbed distributed pumping methods are front and center; the latest in thermostats, and a plethora of other products that can talk to each other, and you, with a WiFi signal—from circulators, forced air furnaces to tankless water heaters. New or improved pipe joining methods through press technology, push-to-connect fittings, fusion welding, advances in pipe bending and cutting drew eyes. Listen, if it’s in the HVAC industry, it’s at AHR.

Check out Mechanical Hub websites, social media (@mechanicalhub & @plumbing_perspective on Instagram and TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn.) and check out our ever-growing YouTube for products from the show.

Next year’s AHR Expo will take place in Chicago, my back yard, January 21-24 (2024). Again, check back for updates on the show or any other breaking announcements surrounding the event.