I’m a couple of weeks out from participating in my first HARDI Annual Conference, and I am genuinely looking forward to attending. The event always brings together a sharp mix of industry professionals, and it is one of the few places where the full HVACR channel sits under the same roof with a shared purpose.
This year’s theme is Gold Standard. It focuses on raising performance across the channel during a period when expectations are shifting fast. With A2L adoption underway, regulatory changes stacking up, and demand patterns moving around, everyone is trying to tighten their approach. The theme fits the moment.
For me, HARDI is a chance to stay directly connected to the issues that matter most to decision‑makers in HVACR. I spend a lot of time working with manufacturers, distributors, and rep agencies, and the conversations at this conference tend to cut through the noise. You hear what leadership teams are actually prioritizing, where they see opportunity, how they are tuning their sales approach for 2026, and what they expect from their channel partners.
The size and focus of the event make it valuable. Thousands of attendees. Strong distributor representation. Manufacturers who are serious about marketshare and differentiation. Rep agencies who understand the realities of field support. When that many people align on distribution as the center of gravity, the conversations become more productive.
One thing I always notice is how similar the underlying dynamics are between the HVACR and electrical channels. The products differ, but the patterns of channel behavior, growth obstacles, and customer expectations rhyme. That overlap creates room for better strategy, cleaner execution, and easier decision‑making for manufacturers and distributors.
If you are attending, I’d enjoy connecting. I’m especially interested in how teams are approaching 2026 planning, how distributors are evaluating and managing rep agencies, and where manufacturers expect the next wave of growth to come from as the market resets.
The HARDI Annual Conference is always a worthwhile few days, and this year should be no different.
Details are here if you need them: https://www.hardiconference.com/
