A joint IIR/French Refrigeration Association (AFF) conference was held in Paris on June 12, 2008 in order to celebrate the centenaries of both organizations. It was combined with the IIR statutory meetings and with various festivities: a gala dinner, a reception at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a visit of the ice storage cellars at the Château de Versailles (17th century).

Medals were also awarded, particularly the IIR Medal of Merit to Fritz Steimle, former President of the General Conference. The conference itself brought together 437 attendees at UNESCO, who discussed future challenges and technologies. A booklet relating the history of refrigeration use and technologies has also been published and was distributed to the attendees.

According to the organizer’s press release, the aim was to show people the state of the art of refrigeration technologies and uses that are not sufficiently well-known (cryogenics, health…). Other events will soon be organized.

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