Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) hosted its largest Annual Conference to date from December 8–11, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, attracting over 2,200 attendees. The event included more than 600 wholesaler representatives from 192 companies, 67 Solution Center exhibitors, 37 member sponsors, and a sold-out Booth Program with over 260 suppliers and manufacturers.
According to HARDI CEO Talbot Gee, the strong turnout signals resilience and determination in the HVACR distribution channel after a difficult year. “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 stated. He noted that over $1.5 million in new investments were announced during the event, targeting Advocacy, Talent, and Market Intelligence.
The conference featured keynote presentations from author Molly Bloom, financial expert Peter Ricchiuti, motivational speaker Kevin Brown, organizational strategist Peter Sheahan, and magician Jon Petz. More than 30 breakout sessions complemented the keynotes, covering topics such as regulatory compliance, interest rate pressures, tariffs, and evolving customer expectations.
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
The association marked a decade of partnership with Homes for Our Troops, raising over $200,000 in 2025 for the veteran support organization. Additionally, 22 participants graduated from HARDI’s three-year Emerging Leaders program.
Leadership transitions were also announced. Lauren Roberts of cfm Distributors was elected as incoming Board Chair, while Loran Liu of Standard Supply and DeWight Wallace of Nu-Calgon concluded their terms. Steve Roe and Jeff Mingledorff were re-elected as Directors, and new appointments included John White of American Refrigeration Supplies and Jeff Underwood of RectorSeal.
The next HARDI Annual Conference is scheduled for December 7–10, 2026, in San Diego, California.