Interview with Rowan Crowley (Event Director of RAC07)

RAC07 is the only event of its kind for the UK refrigeration and air-conditioning industry. It will take place from the 27th of February to the 1st of March, at NEC Birmingham, co-located with H&V07, the industry event for the heating and ventilating sector. Over 170 companies participated at RAC05 which attracted a final visitor attendance of 7,505 – up more than 35% on the 5,467 visitors who came to RAC 03. For 2007, the event's organisers expect over 7,000 visitors.

1- Comparing to past editions of RAC exhibition, what are the novelties of this year's edition? What would you like to highlight?

RAC07 promises to be a very successful industry event.
As well as providing a first class exhibition showcase for all that’s new in the industry, RAC07 also offers an exciting range of added value features running over all three days of the event. Undoubtedly, the free seminar programme will be one of the centrepiece attractions with an impressive line-up of speakers to engage audiences on the critical refrigeration and air-conditioning issues of the day.
We believe that the event’s theme, "Sustainable Solutions For The Future", pulls together not just many of the product innovations that will be making their debut at RAC07 but also underpins the content of the seminars, end-user forums and skills centre sessions.
The seminar programme will embrace many of the energy and environmental issues challenging the sector and explore the related changes to technology, legislation and regulation for visitors.
Other feature attractions to look out for include the Fantastic Fridges feature and a special “In The Van” Zone for service engineers.
As style conscious consumers look for more than the traditional white box, the designer’s art is being brought to bear on the humble refrigerator.  The result is some unexpected twists on familiar technology with innovations such as the inflatable fridge, the magnetic fridge and the fresh air fridge amongst others! They may be more “concept cars” than production models, but – like the concept car – point the way to possible interesting new departures for the future. RAC07’s Fantastic Fridges area will provide visitors with an intriguing close-up of some of these startling new designs.

Meanwhile, the ‘In the Van’ Service Zone will feature a top-end demonstration vehicle from one of the leading van manufacturers, equipped with all the latest on-road gadgets. Visitors can also take a look at other invaluable tools of the trade, including refrigerant leak detection equipment, EPS systems, gloves, goggles and power tools. In addition, information will be available on fleet van leasing and insurance schemes targeted at service and maintenance companies.  The ‘In the Van’ Service Zone offers a hands-on and fun way for companies and visitors to interact at the event.
An essential feature of the RAC07 website is Plan Your Visit, the personal show planner. Prior to the exhibition visitors can select the product areas that they are interested in to produce a tailored personal show planner that they can take with them to the event. The online show planner includes a personalised floor plan which highlights the location of stands of interest as well as supplying summary information on relevant companies in conjunction with a list of their press releases which can be accessed online. This facility will let visitors maximise their time at the show by allowing them to take a targeted approach to the exhibition.
It’s also worth mentioning that RAC07 will once again co-locate with H&V07, the UK’s dedicated event for the heating and ventilating industry. The crossover of visitors between halls creates the perfect forum for doing business and ensures visitors make the most of the event.

2- Can you already reveal to us something about the seminars programme (both RAC07 and H&V07)? What will be the main issues focused on?

The cutting edge seminars proved a major hit with visitors last time so we’ve built on the programme to make it even better and more compelling this time around. We have secured an impressive line-up of speakers, including major end-users and industry experts.

The nine sessions, which run throughout the three days of the show, will be free to visitors and will cover issues that are increasingly having a major effect on the future development and livelihoods of those involved in the cooling industry. The RAC07 seminar sessions will provide insights on topics affecting the industry’s future with subjects reflecting the show’s theme of “Sustainable Solutions For The Future”.
In a key session, equipment buyers from the leading UK supermarkets will discuss their plans and priorities for the future, and highlight how the industry can help them achieve their respective goals. Spelling out the impact of environmental issues and energy costs on their strategies, they will reveal their thinking on green initiatives for the future.
Day two of the exhibition will see The Big Debate. Here, Mike Nankivell, who heads the industry’s F-Gas implementation group, will put the spotlight on the future of HFC’s and outline implications for the industry.

Following the F-Gas theme, one session will provide an update on the requirements for the certification of refrigerant handlers, whilst another will highlight the impact of the forthcoming phase-out of HCFC refrigerants and explore what companies should be doing to prepare.
There will be a new technology session providing an insight on the latest developments in carbon dioxide cooling and assessing whether current interest in the gas is a revolution in the making or, as some predict, a false dawn. Reporting on results from recent field trials, John Austin-Davies of epta group will give a hands-on perspective, while Andy Pearson of Star Refrigeration will explore the arguments on likely future developments and survey global progress.

Other topical issues to feature in the RAC07 seminar programme will be cracking the domestic ac market, the impact of climate change on cooling buildings and what rising energy costs mean for end users and the trade.
At the same time, the H&V07 seminar programme will feature a series of presentations, covering a wide range of “hot” industry topics. Topical issues to be explored in these sessions will be the Competent Persons Scheme for the domestic heating industry, the CIS Scheme and the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, as well as how to achieve legionella compliance and looking to future changes, and the examination of the revised asbestos regulations and what the reduced exposure limits will mean.

You can see the full seminar programmes for RAC07 and H&V07 on the show websites, www.racexhibition.com and www.handvexhibition.com.

3- How many exhibitors and visitors are expected? And what's the percentage of international exhibitors and visitors expected?

The exhibitor list is continuing to grow, with the bulk of the industry having moved incredibly quickly to support RAC07.

We are delighted with the commitment shown to the event with industry-wide support, not just from here in the UK, but from further afield too. There are many new companies coming on board who recognise the full value of the event in providing a platform for them to reach out to new customers, break into new markets and help build their brand profile.
RAC07 brings together a diverse range of companies representing major brands, first-time exhibitors and international manufacturers. Key companies that have already signed for exhibition space include Climate Center, Coolmation, Bitzer UK, ETI, Franchill, Foster Refrigerator, GH England, Hitachi, HRP, Hubbard, International Cooling Group, including Dawmec, Searle and Raffel, Sanyo Air Conditioners, Tricool Engineering and Ziehl Abegg.
RAC07 is also proving a powerful draw for companies from mainland Europe and the USA as much as for UK-based refrigeration and air conditioning manufacturers and distributors. 
Among confirmed Italian participants at the event are refrigeration and air-conditioning controls specialist EVCO, component distributor Rivacold, air-conditioning accessories company Tecnosystemi and instruments and controls manufacturer, Wigam. Other overseas exhibitors seeking to build their brand and grow sales in the UK are EFC SA and Telstar SL, both from Spain, Belgium-based tools and equipment companies CPS Products and Mastercool and leading Swiss recovery unit manufacturer, Refco.

Cubicool International from South Africa and ITV Icemakers from Spain are just two of the new exhibitors set to profile their products. Nearer to home, an influx of UK software and controls companies has selected RAC07 as the right place to display their products. Last month saw the Computer Software Group, G P Controls and Tesseract confirm their stand space.
We have a great platform to build on. RAC05 saw more than 170 companies participate and a final visitor attendance of 7,505, up 35% on RAC03. RAC07 is shaping up very well indeed and we expect to see over 7,000 visitors. The event will once again be the perfect forum for specifiers and buyers to network with exhibitors and suppliers from all aspects of the industry. From compressors, components and split systems to cases and cabinets, air movement and process cooling systems, the event will be truly representative of the acr industry – which is just as it should be.

4- Is RAC exhibition looking to become a more international show or its only aim is the UK market?

RAC07 is focussed very clearly on the UK market. It is the only event of its kind for the UK refrigeration and air-conditioning industry – a factor which contributes to its success and lasting appeal.

As I mentioned, RAC07 is proving a powerful draw for overseas companies seeking to build their brand and grow sales in the UK. I would say that companies keen to grow their business in the UK market have no better platform for their product launches, for making new contacts and meeting existing customers than at RAC07.

5- What are the most important and discussed topics for the UK RAC industry right now?

The industry is increasingly concerned with climate change, energy usage and environmental issues. The fast-approaching phase-out of HCFCs, and continuing question marks over the long-term future of HFCs, are still exercising industry minds. Now the even greater challenge of global warming looms large. As a major user of power, consuming up to 20 per cent of all the electricity generated in the UK, the industry has an important role to play in working with end-users to meet this challenge.
As already mentioned, the event’s theme of "Sustainable Solutions For The Future", will embrace cutting-edge sessions in the event’s expert seminar programme, practical presentations in the Skills Centre, and a constellation of the latest low energy technology and products on exhibitors’ stands.

The theme will offer a coherent platform for exhibitors to inform the show audience of what they are doing to deliver on the energy and environmental issues facing the industry. It will also allow visitors to discuss with exhibitors how the latest refrigeration and air-conditioning technology can help them meet new legislative requirements, take advantage of Government initiatives, save energy and reduce cost.

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