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 carefully selected to bring fresh perspectives and challenge conventional thinking,” said Allison Greene, HARDI Marketing Director. “They were dynamic, engaging, and complemented by more than 30 breakout sessions led by HARDI’s expert staff and trusted speaking partners. Together, the program balanced big-picture ideas with practical, industry-specific insight — from market analysis and regulatory compliance to navigating interest rate pressures, tariffs, shifting consumer demand, and the expanding scope of customer services.”
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.
About HARDI
HARDI (Heating, Air-conditioning, and Refrigeration Distributors International) is the single voice of wholesale distribution within the North American and Latin American HVACR markets.
A non-profit association, HARDI serves its members through government affairs and advocacy efforts, market intelligence and benchmarking, training programs, and world-class events. HARDI proudly represents more than 570 distributor members and their 5,000+ branch locations, and close to 600 suppliers, manufacturer representatives, and service vendors. HARDI Distributor members serve installation and service/replacement contractors in residential and commercial markets, as well as commercial/industrial and institutional maintenance staff. HARDI Affiliate members market, distribute, and support heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration equipment, parts, and supplies.
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