In a year that tested resilience across the HVACR channel, the Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) Annual Conference delivered something the industry needed: clarity, connection and confidence. Held Dec. 8–11 in Las Vegas, HARDI’s 2025 Annual Conference drew more than 2,200 attendees, making it the largest gathering in the association’s history. The event brought together  more than 192 distributor companies, alongside a sold-out Solutions Center featuring 67 exhibitors and the largest Booth Program to date, with more than 260 manufacturers and suppliers. From the more than 500 first-time attendees to long-time members, the energy on the show floor, and in meeting rooms, was dynamic.

Opening the conference, HARDI Board Chair Loran Liu framed the event’s theme, Gold Standard, as both a challenge and a call to action.

“The Gold Standard meaning is a challenge to raise the bar, because in the market, a brand is constantly changing...the pursuit of excellence isn’t just expected anymore- it’s essential,” Liu said. He added, “The Gold Standard is something that you just can’t rely on to be something that you expect to do. It’s about reinventing what’s possible. Lead with passion, perfect the process and you will achieve the Gold Standard.”

That message resonated throughout the week, from packed general sessions to more than 30 breakout discussions focused on the issues shaping wholesale distribution today. Educational programming addressed market dynamics, regulatory and compliance challenges, interest-rate pressures, tariffs, shifting customer demand, and the growing convergence of HVACR with plumbing and electrical services.

HARDI CEO Talbot Gee pointed to the record-setting attendance as a powerful indicator of distributor engagement at a critical moment for the channel.

“Coming out of a challenging year, the focus and drive we saw from our members was unmistakable,” Gee said. “This conference was about learning from 2025 and equipping wholesale distribution with the solutions and strategies needed to make 2026 a year of resurgence.”

That commitment was underscored by HARDI’s announcement of more than $1.5 million in new investments spanning advocacy, talent development and market intelligence — pillars that continue to differentiate the association’s value to its members.

The conference featured several keynote presentations that captivated attendees with powerful messages and compelling personal stories. Former U.S. Ski Team member and author Molly Bloom shared her journey, later portrayed in the film Molly’s Game. Financial expert and professor Peter Ricchiuti delivered economic insight with his unique style; and motivational speaker and author Kevin Brown had attendees hanging on every word - the room fell silent as a he shared a deeply personal story that underscored compassion, awareness and purpose-driven partnership.

The conference booth program – the largest to date, was energetic as distributors and manufacturers strengthened relationships, explored new technologies and aligned on growth strategies for the year ahead.

The conference also celebrated the launch of Michael Marks, 2nd edition book titled Myths & Misperceptions, as well as celebrating excellence across the membership, honoring individuals and organizations for leadership in advocacy, talent development and market intelligence, while recognizing the graduating class of HARDI’s Emerging Leaders Program — a three-year initiative designed to prepare the next generation of industry leaders.

Awards and Recognitions

HARDI honored several individuals and companies during the conference, including:

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 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 were also introduced: John White, American Refrigeration Supplies, and Jeff Underwood, RectorSeal.  

Mark your calendar for this year’s event, taking place Dec. 7–10 in San Diego, Calif.