Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) concluded 2025 with its largest Annual Conference to date. Held Dec. 8–11 in Las Vegas, the event drew more than 2,200 attendees, including more than 600 wholesaler representatives from 192 companies, 67 Solution Center exhibitors, 37 unique member sponsors and a sold-out Booth Program featuring more than 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.”
Gee also noted that HARDI announced more than $1.5 million in new advocacy, talent and market intelligence investments during the conference.
“All are 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,” he said.
The conference featured keynote presentations 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 and author Peter Sheahan, and concluded with a Las Vegas-style finale from “Amazement Artist” and magician Jon Petz.
“Our keynote speakers were electric,” said Allison Greene, HARDI marketing director. “They were complemented by more than 30 breakout sessions on industry topics led by HARDI’s expert staff and speaking partners.”
Sessions covered a wide range of issues, including market analysis, regulatory compliance, managing transition through interest rate hikes, tariffs, shifting consumer demand, and the increasing prevalence of plumbing and electrical services among customers.
Awards and Recognitions
HARDI honored several individuals and member organizations whose achievements exemplify the association’s mission and contributions to the HVACR wholesale industry:
Voice of Distributor Award: Kerri Cupp, DiversiTech Corp.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Ruth Ann Davis, Williams
Market Intelligence Pillar Award: mSupply
Talent Pillar Award: R.E. Michel Co. 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 marked 10 years of partnership with Homes for Our Troops, an organization supporting veterans. To date in 2025, HARDI member companies have raised more than $200,000 for the organization, with additional donations made by attendees during the conference.
Twenty-two participants graduated from HARDI’s Emerging Leaders program, a three-year initiative designed to equip future HVACR executives with essential leadership skills.
The association also recognized outgoing board chair Loran Liu of Standard Supply and outgoing supplier director DeWight Wallace of Nu-Calgon. HARDI 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. New directors John White of American Refrigeration Supplies and Jeff Underwood of RectorSeal also were welcomed.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 HARDI Annual Conference will be held Dec. 7–10 in San Diego, Calif.
