February 11, 2026 — AHR Expo 2026 (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) wrapped a monumental event in Vegas last week, taking over the Central and South Halls at the Las Vegas Convention Center February 2-4. A full 53,315 professionals — including engineers, sales channel partners, owners, contractors, installers and more — came together to experience the latest offerings from 1,956 exhibitors over 578,980 sq. ft. of show floor.
“This industry just keeps getting more exciting,” said show manager Jeff Stevens. “We’re proud to serve as the place where HVACR professionals come together to tackle emerging challenges and discover new opportunities. As the pace of change continues to accelerate, our work together is more important than ever in shaping a built environment that is comfortable, safe, and efficient. AHR gives our industry the opportunity to connect with the technologies, ideas, and partnerships that move us forward.”
The HVACR industry continues to dive ahead into smarter ways to provide heating, cooling and refrigeration to the built environment. The steadfast application of legacy technologies all the way through the introduction of novel products and practices allows professionals to converge and refresh their knowledge, discover new paths and expand a network to help align and achieve goals.
Experts lend access to education and training
This week in conversation attendees heard about data centers, methods to strengthen workforce development initiatives, discussions of steadying refrigerant shortages coupled with a push in direction to new refrigerants, updated regulations and more. In addition to the free industry program, already packed with sessions for all points of interest, the Education Program featured the 2026 Panel Series.
Monday and Tuesday featured a series of standing-room-only discussions on topics including refrigerants, data centers, workforce development, industry communication channels, heat pumps, ERV systems and the annual State of the Industry Panel.
“I work for a company and I support specific clients,” said Katie Blaufuss, Trane Technologies. “That matters, but so does staying connected as an industry while everything around us continues to shift. Manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, dealers and industry partners all in one room, listening, sharing perspective, and wrestling with what’s hard right now and where opportunity really exists. This industry doesn’t move forward without all of those voices at the table.”
Full-length videos of all sessions in the 2026 Panel Series will be available at AHR Expo.
Attendees weigh in
It’s hard to escape the energy present in a room full of HVACR professionals. AHR Expo is honored to provide the once-a-year opportunity for the full community to come together for a few days.
“Still buzzing from AHR Expo 2026! An incredible experience packed with innovation that directly fuels my work in energy efficiency, building retrofits, and retro-commissioning across NYC,” said Marina Rezkalla, mechanical engineer with Carlton Energy. “From next-gen HVAC systems to smarter controls and efficiency strategies, the expo delivered real, actionable ideas for improving existing buildings and meeting today’s performance demands.”
Awarding innovation
During a closed ceremony on Monday, the 2026 AHR Expo Innovations Awards were presented for contributions to HVACR and its future. This year’s winners are:
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Image courtesy of AHR Expo Building automation: Honeywell, Honeywell Connected Solutions
- Cooling: Daikin, Magnitude WME-C Quad
- Heating: Copeland, Copeland heating-optimized modulating vapor injection portfolio
- Indoor air quality: Sharp Corporation, Airest
- Plumbing: IDC Fluid Control, LeakStop III
- Refrigeration: Copeland, Copeland transcritical CO2 scroll compressor with dynamic vapor injection technology
- Software: Rebar, AI-Powered Takeoff Platform
- Sustainable solutions: Blue Frontier, BF-DOAS
- Tools and instruments: CSG Compressors (Houston & American Hermetics), SAMMi
- Ventilation: ABB Motors and Drives, ACH580 Variable Frequency Drives.
Blue Frontier took home the prestigious 2026 AHR Expo Innovation Product of the Year Award.
Students experience HVACR’s shining moment
On Monday, student engineers from ASHRAE’s youth programming arrived for a curated tour and panel discussion. HVACR professionals from across the industry came together to talk about career paths, industry entry, and real-world advice for building and sustaining a successful career. On Wednesday, high school students enrolled in a dual-enrollment program from Clark County Public Schools participated in a curated tour led by industry ambassadors who highlighted the innovation, technology and career potential within HVACR. Students also attended a panel discussion exploring the wide range of career pathways available in the industry.
AHR Expo heads to Chicago
AHR Expo will return to Chicago January 25-27, 2027. Registration is expected to open in summer.
For a video recap of the 2025 show, more information about next year, and videos of the 2026 Panel Series sessions, visit the AHR Expo.
