The plumbing and mechanical industry is changing quickly, and the biggest catalyst of that change is technology. New products are coming to market, the Internet of Things is influencing product design, and connectivity is becoming less of a novelty and more of a commodity.

BNP Media created a new tradeshow to help plumbing, heating and cooling professionals stay on top of the latest market changes. The inaugural AEC BuildTech event is scheduled for April 30-May 2, in Rosemont, Illinois, and will showcase the latest design and building processes, products and emerging technologies. The show is supported by more than 20 industry magazines, including Plumbing & Mechanical, PM Engineer, Supply House Times, Snips, Roofing Contractor, Engineering News-Record, Engineered Systems, The ACHR News and Architectural Record, just to name a few.

With five educational tracks, numerous networking opportunities, and a robust product expo, the event will give attendees the connections and knowledge to leverage tomorrow’s building processes and construction technologies.

Continuing education units

More than 80% of the conference sessions at AEC BuildTech Conference & Expo will offer Continuing Education Units to provide industry professionals with the credits needed to keep their license/certification. So far, 32 different educational sessions have been approved by various organizations including The American Institute of Architects (AIA), The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), RCI, The American Institute of Building Design (AIBD), The American Institute of Constructors (AIC), PDHengineer, and Building Owners and Managers Institute (BOMI) International.  

“We are thrilled to partner with leaders in the industry and provide our attendees the professional credits they need in six separate tracks focused on plumbing, HVACR/mechanical systems, flooring, building envelope, roofing and general contracting,” says Scott Wolters, chief events officer, BNP Media, producers of the event. “The editors of our publications have secured an incredible faculty of subject matter experts covering important topics for our attendees to gain the knowledge to leverage tomorrow’s building processes and construction technologies.” 

In the Plumbing Track attendees will hear from some of the biggest names in the industry on nearly everything they need to know about hydronics and more. The following sessions have been approved for CEU’s: Dan Holohan’s Dead Men’s Steam School; Bob Rohr’s Integrating Hydronics with Indoor Environmental Quality; and John Siegenthaler’s Modern Hydronics Supplied by Air to Water Heat Pumps.

“This will be an event where a hydronics professional can really focus on the nuts and bolts and the newest technologies in hydronics,” Siegenthaler says.

In the HVACR / Mechanical Systems Track attendees will find out the latest in controls and workflow techniques while learning how systems can help prevent outbreaks of such bacteria as Legionella. The following sessions have been approved for CEU’s: Streamline the Duct Design to Assembly Workflow with Manifolding; A 360° Look at BIM; Getting Started with VRF: Best Practices and Common Misconceptions; Managing Legionella and Dangerous Outbreaks with Preventative Maintenance; Autonomous Buildings will Reshape the Marketplace; Filling the HVAC Controls Gap Between a Yugo and a Lambo; Electronic Controls for Commercial Refrigeration Made Simple; and Assembly Line Manufacturing for Construction Using BIM: Why, When, and How.

Additional speakers in the Plumbing Track include: Devin Abellon, business development manager, Uponor; Beth Dobkin, director of business coaching, Quality Service Contractors; Tim Schmidt, product manager, Viega; and Max Rohr, academy manager, REHAU. For more information, visit www.AECBuildTech.com.