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HVAC trade shows bring contractors, vendors, and educators together in one place. These events offer hands-on demos, training sessions, and conversations with other HVAC contractors so you can learn, connect, and see what’s new in the industry.
This guide breaks down standout HVAC conferences and events to attend in 2026, what makes each one worth your time, and how to decide which shows align with your business goals.
Key takeaways
Here are some quick tips to get the most out of HVAC trade shows:
Choose with purpose: Match events to your current goals, budget, and business stage.
Plan before you go: Review agendas and exhibitors early to avoid wasted time on the floor.
Set clear targets: Decide what you want to learn, buy, or improve before you arrive.
Follow up fast: Reach out to contacts and vendors within a week to keep momentum going.
Table of contents
2026 HVAC trade shows and conferences to know
Below is a curated list of HVAC trade shows, conferences, and expos happening in 2026. It doesn’t cover every event, and dates, cities, and formats can shift. Use this is a starting point, then check each event’s official website for current details before you book travel or tickets.
| Show Name | 2026 Date | Location | Housecall Pro Attending? |
| ASHRAE Winter Conference | Jan. 31–Feb. 4 | Las Vegas, NV | No |
| AHR Expo | Feb. 2–4 | Las Vegas, NV | Yes |
| CTI Annual Conference & Expo | Feb. 8–12 | Houston, TX | No |
| Flow Expo | March 14 | Pomona, CA | Yes |
| ACCA Annual Conference & Expo | March 15 | Las Vegas, NV | Yes |
| National Home Performance Conference | April 13–16 | Columbus, OH | No |
| IAQVEC 2026 | May 18–22 | Los Angeles, CA | No |
| ASHRAE Annual Conference | June 27–July 1 | Austin, TX | No |
| Service World Expo | Nov. 9–12 | Las Vegas, NV | Yes |
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Winter Conference
The 2026 ASHRAE Winter Conference runs Jan. 31–Feb. 4, 2026, in Las Vegas. It’s a large, technical event focused on research, standards, and policy, with tracks covering decarbonization, AI, indoor environmental quality, HVAC&R fundamentals, and refrigeration. It’s more engineering-focused than contractor‑driven, but it’s useful if you want to understand long‑term industry direction and upcoming codes.
Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration (AHR) Expo
The AHR Expo takes place Feb. 2–4, 2026, in Las Vegas and is one of the largest HVAC events in the industry. It draws contractors, engineers, OEMs, architects, facility managers, distributors, utilities, educators, and media members, plus thousands of international visitors and hundreds of global exhibitors, making it a major meeting point for new products and ideas.
Note: For 2026, the ASHRAE Winter Conference is based at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, while the co‑sponsored AHR Expo runs a short shuttle ride away at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Cooling Technology Institute (CTI) Annual Conference & Expo
The CTI Annual Conference & Expo runs Feb. 8–12, 2026, at The Westin Galleria in Houston, Texas. It features several days of education, including sessions, panels, and open Q&A led by long‑time industry professionals. Contractors who work with cooling systems can expect focused conversations, technical updates, and peer learning in a smaller, specialized setting.
Flow Expo
Flow Expo takes place March 14, 2026, at Fairplex in Pomona, California. Representing the PHC trades for more than 50 years, it’s billed as one of the nation’s largest annual shows for plumbing, heating, and cooling. Expect thousands of attendees and a broad mix of manufacturers, reps, suppliers, wholesalers, and contractors in one place.
Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Annual Conference & Expo
The ACCA Annual Conference & Expo brings HVACR contractors together for business‑focused education and peer connection on March 15, 2026, in Las Vegas. Sessions are led by industry experts and experienced contractors and focus on topics like operations, pricing, leadership, and growth, with a large expo floor featuring product and service providers.
National Home Performance Conference & Trade Show
The National Home Performance Conference & Trade Show runs April 13–16, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. Marking four decades in the home performance space, it draws contractors, energy auditors, trainers, and healthy‑home professionals. Sessions focus on residential energy efficiency, comfort, and building performance, with plenty of chances to connect across related trades.
Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation, & Energy Conservation (IAQVEC) 2026
IAQVEC 2026 is scheduled for May 18–22, 2026, at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. It’s an international conference focused on indoor air quality, ventilation, and energy use in buildings. The agenda is research‑heavy and best suited for contractors and professionals who want deeper exposure to building science and long‑term trends in indoor environments.
ASHRAE Annual Conference
If you can’t make the winter event, the ASHRAE Annual Conference runs June 27–July 1, 2026, in Austin, Texas. Like the winter conference, it centers on standards, guidelines, and technical updates. Contractors who attend can gain early insight into evolving requirements, technologies, and best practices that affect future projects.
Service World Expo
Service World Expo runs November 9–12, 2026, in Las Vegas and is built for residential service contractors across HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. It combines business education with a large expo hall and focuses on operations, marketing, leadership, and scaling, with sessions often led by contractors running high‑revenue shops.
Regional and local HVAC trade shows
Check for regional and local HVAC shows in your area, especially if you’re balancing travel costs and time away from jobs. State and regional events often mean shorter trips, smaller fees, and easier networking with contractors and suppliers who actually work in your climate and code environment.
Many organizations also offer virtual or hybrid options that let you attend sessions and connect with peers without leaving the shop.
How to choose the right HVAC trade show for your business
Not every trade show is worth the time or money. The right fit depends on where your business is today and where you want it to go next.
Start with your business goals
If you’re focused on growing your HVAC business, look for agendas heavy on operations, pricing, and team structure. If hiring is a priority, prioritize events known for contractor‑led panels and networking. If you’re modernizing systems, look for strong tech and software exhibitor lists.
Weigh location, cost, and time away
Travel adds up quickly. Registration, flights, hotels, and meals matter, but so does time out of the field. Regional events, one‑day expos, or hybrid options can offer solid value without pulling you away from jobs for a full week. Always compare the total cost against what you realistically expect to gain.
Check the agenda and exhibitor list early
Before you register, review the schedule and exhibitor list to be sure the content lines up with your goals—whether that’s identifying top manufacturers and suppliers or learning new ways to generate more HVAC leads and price jobs. A little research upfront helps you pick events that deliver practical takeaways, not just a busy calendar.
Tips to get the most value from HVAC trade shows
Trade shows can feel overwhelming. The contractors who walk away with real value don’t try to do everything—they show up with a plan, clear priorities, and a follow‑up strategy.
Plan your schedule before you arrive
Most trade shows release agendas and exhibitor lists weeks in advance, so use that time. Waiting until you’re on the show floor usually leads to missed sessions and wasted hours.
Here’s what to focus on:
- Sessions tied to current challenges or goals
- Speakers with real contractor experience
- Exhibitors you already use or want to evaluate
Block time for sessions and for the expo floor, and leave space between commitments so you’re not sprinting from room to room.
Set clear goals before attending
Walking in “just to see what’s out there” makes it harder to know if the trip paid off. Instead, pick two or three outcomes you want, such as:
- Refining how you price services or build estimates
- Learning how other contractors are using AI for scheduling, marketing, or admin work
- Improving your approach to social media and online reviews
- Understanding how peers bid jobs and protect margins
- Connecting with owners to swap ideas on hiring, training, or retention
- Spotting tools or vendors that support growing your HVAC business
Write your goals down and, if you’re attending with your team, share them so everyone’s aligned.
Be intentional on the expo floor
The expo floor is where time disappears fastest. Here are some tips to make the best use of your time and resources:
- Start with a short list of the top five vendors you want to meet.
- Skip the flyers and scan QR codes instead to avoid losing important papers.
- Ask specific questions, like “How are other contractors using your product for dispatching?”
- Request demos focused on your actual process, not just generic slides.
Take notes you’ll actually use
It’s easy to forget specifics once you’re back home. Keep your notes simple and jot down:
- One idea per session you want to test
- Vendor names tied to clear next steps
- Follow-up questions you didn’t have time to ask
Follow up fast after the event
The real value often happens after you leave. Within one week of returning:
- Email the vendors you want to revisit.
- Connect with the contractors you met on LinkedIn.
- Review your notes and pick one idea to act on immediately.
What you’ll learn from Housecall Pro at trade shows
Housecall Pro shows up at trade shows with one goal: to support contractors where the industry comes together. On the floor, conversations center on what’s working, what’s changing, and how to turn new ideas into day‑to‑day improvements in your HVAC business.
Contractors who engage with Housecall Pro at events can expect:
- Peer‑to‑peer conversations with owners and operators who understand the realities of running a service business.
- Practical insights into systems, workflows, and strategies that streamline operations and support growth.
- Honest discussions about challenges like scaling, cash flow, team management, and efficiency.
Explore the Housecall Pro event hub to find live, hybrid, and virtual opportunities designed to help you connect and grow. Or, see how we support your business year-round by starting a free 14-day trial of our HVAC software today.
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