The Radiant Panel Association will set up its Radiant House, a popular exhibit at past RPA REX shows, at this year's ISH North America, Oct. 13-17, at the new Boston Convention Center.

“The radiant heating industry continues to grow at a vigorous pace,” said Lawrence Drake, RPA's executive director. “One of the biggest challenges the industry faces is having enough contractors to do the work.”

The Radiant House exhibit is just one way this year's ISH North America will help educate contractors on the ways of radiant. In addition, the show features other educational opportunities specifically designed for Wet Heads, including an I=B=R Hydronic Heating School, specially scheduled prior to ISH North America at the same convention site.

The RPA's 16-foot by 16-foot Radiant House is a simulated building structure, constructed on the show floor, in which various radiant heating products are installed during the event. Radiant manufacturers will demonstrate actual installation techniques and provide anyone interested with hands-on advice installing staple-up and staple-down tubing systems, prefabricated radiant floor panels, electric systems, gypsum floor pours, and more.

The handiwork will be left in place throughout the show to provide examples of the variety of radiant systems and equipment available.

The RPA also will be holding its Annual Conference, Oct. 13, which features six seminars, the System Showcase competition and member meeting. In addition, the association will hold its Radiant Basics class, Oct. 14, a radiant installers certification exam, Oct. 15 and its Radiant Precision class, Oct. 16.

RPA Conference registrants may also attend the ISH North America trade show floor and seminars. For more information on the conference, visit www.RPAconference.com or call 800/660-7187.

Finally, the RPA booth at ISH North America will include a gallery of radiant history and art.

I=B=R School

This year's ISH North America will also feature an “attached” educational opportunity for heating contractors - an I=B=R Hydronic Heating School, Oct. 12-13, at the Boston Convention Center, the same site as ISH North America. As an added bonus, I=B=R School attendees will receive free admittance to ISH North America's trade show floor.

The I=B=R Schools have been offered in 15 cities during the last nine months with excellent participation. The course content is provided by the Hydronic Institute Division of the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association and managed by BNP Media, publishers of Plumbing & Mechanical. The in-depth courses teach how to design and install hydronic heating systems with baseboard and radiators, plus heat loss calculations, pipe sizing, control and boiler sizing, and more.

Attendees receive the “I=B=R Guide to Residential Hydronic Heating Design/Installation Handbook,” “H22 Heat Loss Calculation” book, breakfast, lunch and snacks, and a certificate of course completion. Cost for the school is $395. To register, visit www.bnpmedia.com/conferences, or call Keri Wrobel at 888/530-6714.

This year's New England location is especially significant for the radiant heating and hydronics industries. ISH North America show partners are dedicated to ensuring that all of the region's trade professionals have access to the many benefits offered by the trade show and all its related events.

Organizers are working closely with a number of endorsing organizations and exhibiting companies to bring members, clients, employees, distributors and others to join thousands of industry professionals at ISH North America. By sponsoring chartered bus trips to the event, all sponsoring organizations will receive on-site recognition in addition to on-site benefits for their Boston-bound group.

At press time, Messe Frankfurt Inc. reported that 400 companies had reserved space for the trade show, with the final tally expected to be more than 500.

This year's show is seeing an increase in the number of hydronic and radiant heating companies exhibiting, due in part to the location; the first-time participation of show partner, the RPA; and the support from other heating groups such GAMA and its HI Division, as well as on-going promotion from founding show partners, the American Supply Association: Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association - National Association; and Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating.

Booth space is available in each of the three floor segments (Hydronics/HVAC, Plumbing/PVF, and Kitchen & Bath). For information on exhibiting, contact Jennifer Salvadori at 770/984-8016 ext. 413, or visit www.ish-na.com.

Also, registration is now available for the ISH Academy Seminars, more than 50 seminars and 30 speakers covering eight separate tracks: Kitchen & Bath, Plumbing/PVF, Hydronics, Radiant Heating, HVAC, Environmental Systems, and Business Management and Marketing (I and II)

The seminars begin with a keynote address by Supply House Times columnist and hydronics expert Dan Holohan, Oct. 14 and run through Saturday, Oct. 16. To review the seminars, visit www.ish-na.com and click on “seminars.”

More To See At This Year's Show

Other show highlights, include the following:

Product Demonstration Area: New for 2004, ISH North America will allow exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their products in action at a Product Demonstration Area, set up directly on the exhibit hall floor. It will allow trade buyers and attendees to see the latest innovations and most popular products in detail.

"It's one thing to see an item on display on the show floor - it's quite another to see that product in action," said Roland Bleinroth, president of show organizer and partner, Messe Frankfurt Inc. A steady stream of activity is expected for the area, and is expected to help exhibitors draw more traffic to their booths.

David Kohler Speech: The future of the industry will be addressed by David Kohler, president of Kohler Co.'s Kitchen and Bath Group, during a special luncheon event, Oct. 14 at 12 noon. Kohler will share his vision of the industry's bold future and how it applies to companies eager to meet the exciting challenges ahead.

New Product Showcase: According to past ISH North America attendee surveys, more than 86 percent of attendees consider seeing new products to be a top priority for coming to the event. A special section on the show floor will features new products. Awards will also be given in the categories of Kitchen & Bath; Plumbing & Piping; Heating & Ventilation; Software & Electronic Equipment; Industrial Products; Tools & Equipment; and Best Overall Product.

Smart House: The Smart House, a popular feature at past ISH Frankfurt events and at last year's ISH North America, will be exhibited in Boston. As its name implies, the Smart House incorporates a number of residential building ideas to automate plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, lighting, consumer electronics and other matters of daily home life.

Red Carpet Club: Exhibitors will be able to recognize their top prospects. These VIPS one-on-one customer service with a personal invitation, onsite recognition, free seminar registration and access to the show's exclusive Red Carpet Club Lounge.

ISH NA Sponsorships: An assortment of sponsorships are still available to gain stronger presence at the show and brand recognition. Sponsorships are on a first-served basis and the deadline is Aug. 1.

ISH NA Official Show Directory and Dailies: Deadlines have been set for the Official ISH North America Directory and Show Dailies. The Official Show Directory, includes exhibitor booth and product listings, ISH Academy Seminars, show floor map, and convention information for ASA, PHCC-NA, and RPA. The deadline for advertising is Aug. 31. The Official Show Dailies will be published twice, Oct. 13-14 and Oct. 15-16, and each outline two days of ISH North America events. The deadline for advertising is Sept. 6. To advertise, contact Christin Schrei at 630/694-4388 or e-mail schreic@bnpmedia.com.