Consolidated event featured educational seminars, special programs, and hundreds of industry-leading exhibitors.

The ISH North America trade show for the plumbing, commercial/industrial pipes, valves & fittings (PVF), HVAC and kitchen & bath industries marked its fifth edition with its Oct. 1-3 event at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Reflective of the trend toward cleaner building and environmentally conscious construction, the 2008 show highlighted the growing demand in renewable energies.

Thousands of contractors, wholesalers, manufacturers’ reps and other attendees were able to see the latest product innovations from leading manufacturers in the exhibit hall, learn from industry leaders at the  seminar program and network with peers during the many special events at the show.

“While the current economic downturn has impacted the industry, exhibitors and visitors remained upbeat about their future business development and strategies,” said Daniel McKinnon, executive vice president of Messe Frankfurt, the show’s organizer. “ISH North America continues to provide a unique experience through the show’s variety and quality of exhibiting companies, new and innovative products, strong industry partnerships and endorsers, as well as extensive technical training, educational opportunities and featured product showcases.”

As the only consolidated show in the industry, Messe Frankfurt reported that exhibitors were excited to connect with a broad range of professionals, from contractors and wholesalers, to builders, manufacturers’ reps and others.

“I am glad that our industry has one major show, and this is it,” said Andre Bergeron of M.A. Stewart & Sons Ltd. In addition, an impressive design and show floor layout was highly regarded by exhibitors and attendees alike.

Rob Zurita of Hubbard Enterprises/HOLDRITE® told organizers that, “ISH North America was a great show – easily accessible and well-organized.”

The ISH North America Seminar Program featured a diverse selection of educational opportunities. Popular business-oriented programs included Kirk Alter’s “Recession-Proofing Your Business,” which focused on making the right moves in tough times; and Adams Hudson’s “How to Put High Performance Plumbing Marketing in Your Company Instantly,” which offered tips and tools for results-oriented marketing.

Green technologies were covered in “Two Real Sharp P’s in a Bright Green Pod,” presented by Dave Yates and Mark Eatherton, two recipients of the Carlson-Holohan Industry Award of Excellence. “Ten Trends That Will Shape the Future of Hydronic Heating” with John Siegenthaler explored new hardware and design concepts keeping hydronics at the cutting edge of energy efficiency.

Special events included the 2008 Plumbing Apprentice Contest, held on the ISH North America exhibit floor in conjunction with the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association’s annual convention. The winner of the contest was Kyle Holcomb of Pasadena Plumbing in St. Petersburg, Fla., a fourth-year apprentice.

ISH North America ran concurrently with “Network,” the annual convention for the American Supply Association and PHCC. Other association events included the annual convention for the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating’s famous Maple Leaf Reception.

“Looking forward, we anticipate a solid return of the innovation and productivity that has made this industry so strong in the past,” McKinnon said. “We are confident that ISH North America 2010 will continue to provide exciting new opportunities and a proven business platform for both attendees and exhibitors.”

For further information, please visit www.ish-na.com.

Other upcoming ISH events worldwide:

• ISH (March 10-14, 2009) Frankfurt, Germany
• ISH China (winter of 2010), Shanghai, China