Developing Industry Partnerships

In my early years of teaching HVACR at a community college in Brentwood, New York, I was asked by one of my school administrators who the program’s industry partners were. Since we were at one of my program advisory board meetings at the time, the answer seemed obvious. I quickly responded that our industry partners were those individuals, companies and organizations that had a direct impact on my program. Of course, I was referring to the companies that hire our program completers, donate equipment and tools, provide student scholarships and of course, attend our program advisory board meetings.

A few years later, I attended HVAC Excellence’s first annual National HVACR Educators and Trainers Conference in 2007. Each of the companies and organizations that participated in the event dedicated time, energy, and financial resources to helping make me a more effective instructor. I quickly realized that these are also important industry partners.

I overlooked the organizations that make professional development opportunities possible. These are the organizations, companies and industry professionals who take an active role in exhibiting and/or presenting at national conferences, conduct periodic educational webinars, provide technical and product support, champion new technologies and help make our world safer for future generations by producing more environmentally friendly chemicals for use in and on HVACR equipment. These are the true “unsung heroes” of HVACR.

Fast forwarding to today, imagine a national education conference where dozens of organizations work together to create an event for 1,000 in-person attendees. Now, being on the planning, developing and execution side of HVAC Excellence’s education conference for the 9th time, I am continuously shocked to see firsthand just how long it takes to prepare for the event, and how much is invested in time, energy and money to make the event a success each and every year. The planning of a national conference begins several years in advance and is ongoing throughout the year.

The cost of renting a convention center, catering food, printing, mailing, and promoting the event are some of the reasons why many conferences cost over $1,000 to attend. If you have ever wondered why HVAC Excellence’s National HVACR Education Conference is so reasonably priced, look no further than the industry partners you might not even know you have. Attending the HVAC Excellence National Education Conference?is one of the best deals around because of the generosity of a select group of industry partners that stands behind you, wants to support your professional development, as well as support education in the HVACR industry.

If you will be attending the 2024 National HVACR Educators and Trainers Conference , which we hope you are, please take the time to visit with these organizations to build the industry partnerships that can help you build your HVACR program. Some of these organizations can assist you with lining up guest presenters for your classes, obtaining technical support materials, providing firsthand knowledge of equipment and components, aligning your program to national standards, and placing your graduates with industry-leading employers. You will be glad you did. I know I am glad I did!

Looking forward to seeing you in a few short weeks in Las Vegas!

Yours in education,

Eugene Silberstein

M.S., CMHE, B.E.A.P

National Programs Director