Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) concluded 2025 with its largest Annual Conference to date. Held December 8-11 in Las Vegas, NV, the event welcomed over 2,200 attendees, including over 600 wholesaler representatives from 192 companies, 67 Solution Center exhibitors, 37 unique member sponsors and a sold-out Booth Program featuring over 260 suppliers and manufacturers.

“The record-setting engagement of our distributor members at the end of a less-than-perfect year for the HVACR channel is indicative of their focus, drive, and aggressiveness that we believe will propel a strong 2026,” said Talbot Gee, HARDI CEO. “Our objectives were clear this year to address and learn from a challenging 2025 and focus on solutions and strategies to ensure wholesale distribution is the greatest driver of a 2026 resurgence.”

“We announced over $1.5 million in new Advocacy, Talent, and Market Intelligence investments this week all designed to take wholesale distribution’s value to new heights, and if this week’s attendance and consultation schedules with our Talent and Market Intelligence teams’ are any indication, our Board nailed those investments.”

The conference featured dynamic keynotes from former U.S. Ski Team member and author Molly Bloom, financial expert and professor Peter Ricchiuti, motivational speaker and author Kevin Brown, organizational leader, speaker, and author Peter Sheahan and an appropriate Las Vegas style finale with “Amazement Artist” and magician Jon Petz.

“Our keynote speakers were electric,” said Allison Greene, HARDI marketing director, “and they were complemented with over 30 breakout sessions on industry topics from HARDI’s expert staff and numerous speaking partners. From market analysis to regulatory compliance, and managing transition through interest rate hikes, tariffs, shifting consumer demand, the increasing prevalence of plumbing and electrical service among customers, and more, we tried to leave no stone unturned.”

Awards and recognitions

HARDI honored several individuals and member organizations at the event whose unique achievements exemplify the association’s mission and make exceptional contributions to the HVACR wholesale industry:

• Voice of Distributor Award: Kerri Cupp, DiversiTech Corporation
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Ruth Ann Davis, Williams
• Market Intelligence Pillar Award: mSupply
• Talent Pillar Award: R.E. Michel Company, LLC
• Advocacy Pillar Awards: 
  • Craig Wallace, Johnstone, The Wallace Group
  • Ryan Kalmback, Johnstone, The Orion Group
• LATAM Distributor Award: American Refrigeration Supplies, Inc.
• LATAM Strategic Sponsor Awards: NAVAC Inc, NuCalgon and Chemours

HARDI also celebrated 10 years of partnership with Homes for Our Troops, an organization devoted to providing support for at-need veterans. To-date in 2025, HARDI member companies have raised over $200,000 for the organization, with additional donations being made by attendees at the event.

Twenty-two participants also graduated at the conference from HARDI’s Emerging Leaders program, a three-year initiative equipping future HVACR executives with essential leadership skills.

HARDI also recognized outgoing Board Chair Loran Liu of Standard Supply and outgoing Supplier Director DeWight Wallace of Nu-Calgon. The association elected Lauren Roberts of cfm Distributors as incoming Board Chair, and re-elected Steve Roe of Heating & Cooling Supply and Jeff Mingledorff of Mingledorff’s Inc. to second terms as Directors. HARDI additionally welcomed new Director John White of American Refrigeration Supplies and new Parts & Supplies Manufacturer Director Jeff Underwood of RectorSeal.

Looking ahead

The 2026 HARDI Annual Conference will be held December 7–10 in San Diego, CA.