The turnout for the 2002 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo) exceeded the expectations of most, attracting 28,513 visitors from around the world January 14-16 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. With a total of 15,636 exhibitor personnel, overall attendance was 44,149 for the three-day event, the world’s largest hvacr exposition.

The 2002 visitor total exceeded the numbers from the very successful 2001 Show in Atlanta by more than 1,500. According to show management, this is because the northeast region is one of the largest hvacr markets in the U.S. “We knew we were going to have a good turnout for this show, but because of the challenging economy we did not anticipate these numbers,” said Clay Stevens, president of International Exposition Company (IEC), which produces and manages the AHR Expo. “The vast majority of the exhibitors we’ve talked to are very happy with the turnout, and more than 900 of them have already signed up for 2003 when we return to Chicago.”

The 2002 edition of the AHR Expo was in Atlantic City for the first time in 19 years. Prior to the show there was some concern about whether or not the city would be able to handle an event that would nearly double its number of residents. However, according to Stevens, the city was very well prepared to handle the tremendous influx of people.

“Atlantic City proved to be a good venue for this year’s AHR Expo,” Stevens said. “The Show received an extremely warm welcome from the Convention and Visitors Authority and the people of Atlantic City. Everyone planned accordingly, and the effort showed.” On January 27-29, 2003, the AHR Expo returns to Chicago – site of the two largest Expos in history.