The most innovative products among the thousands on display at the2003 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition(AHR Expo) to be held in Chicago January 27-29, 2003, will be selected as winners of the inaugural AHR Expo Innovation Awards in seven different categories.

Designed to encourage product innovation, the competition is jointly sponsored by the ASHRAE; ARI; and International Exposition Company (IEC), producers and organizers of the AHR Expo.

The Innovation Award will be given to the winning product in each of seven categories on display at the industry’s leading HVACR event:

  • heating
  • cooling
  • refrigeration
  • ventilation
  • indoor air quality
  • energy management
  • and tools, instruments, and software.

A panel of judges selected for their knowledge of the industry and its products will review all submissions and select the seven winners. The judges will evaluate entrees for innovation, application, value to user, and market impact. Only one product per company can be submitted.

The awards will be presented to winners at the AHR Expo media reception on Sunday, January 26. Winners will receive special placards to place in their booths as well as an award to be displayed at their company headquarters, and each honoree will be featured in a special section of ASHRAE’s member publication.

According to show management, the Innovation Awards will encourage company’s product innovation, as well as provide vocational school scholarships for HVAC students. Proceeds from the entry fee will go to an HVAC scholarship fund at a Chicago-area vocational school.