With three days of seminars, exhibitions and special events, ISH North America promises to be the largest and most significant trade show of its kind in North America.

Messe Frankfurt and its partners and sponsors have organized ISH NA with the theme “Forging a New Era of Products, Productivity and Profits.” From Oct. 31-Nov. 2, approximately 20,000 attendees will fill Toronto’s National Trade Centre for the debut of ISH NA. The newly consolidated show offers vital business and educational opportunities to anyone involved in the plumbing, kitchen & bath, PV, and HVAC industries. With 400 exhibitors from 13 countries, ISH NA is a world-class event.

Messe Frankfurt is working in conjunction with the American Supply Association (ASA), the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association (PHCC), and the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) to make ISH a success in North America. ASA and PHCC will hold their annual conventions in Toronto starting just before the ISH show, building the event into an “all-in-one” package for attendees. ASA’s “Supply Chain Summit” and PHCC’s “Passport to Profitability” will meet off-site in association with the show. Additional industry events include CIPH’s Habitat for Humanity Canada Gala Fundraiser, Radiant Panel Association’s Semi-Annual Conference, and AIM/R’s Principal Appreciation Reception.

A highlight of ISH North America will be an exhibit of the Design Plus award winners. Messe Frankfurt and Hanovers iF Industrie Forum Design honored these 34 products with an award for innovative design. Awards were presented in the sanitation, heating, installation technology and measuring, testing, control and regulation technology product categories.

Featured Speakers

ISH NA has recruited 30 celebrated speakers to present more than 50 seminars and panel discussions. Seminars will cover a broad range of topics from business management to product design to motivational methods. Topics are geared toward a number of industry interests including kitchen & bath, plumbing, PVF, HVAC and hydronics. Special keynote speaker Rich Trethewey from PBS’s “This Old House” will present “Future Insights: Where Is Our Industry Heading?” on Friday morning, Nov. 1. Seminars will be held from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. For online seminar registration, visit www.ish-na.com.

What more does ISH North America have to offer contractors, builders, wholesalers, distributors, engineers, architects, designers and building/plant managers?

• Networking opportunities with top contractors, consultants and manufacturer representatives.
  
• Educational tips and insights from industry experts.
  
• Exposure to new products and innovations on the exhibition floor.
  
• Business and prospecting opportunities.

ISH NA is an opportunity to make connections, build relationships, and exchange tips with hundreds of product exhibitors and thousands of industry participants. The ISH NA experience will provide an invaluable service to any pro seeking to broaden his skills, knowledge and opportunities.

Location Details

ISH NA has chosen to debut at Toronto’s National Trade Centre, the largest trade center in Canada and the 6th largest in North America. This $180 million project is Toronto’s most popular trade show venue, boasting 24 meeting rooms, and 10 exhibit halls. ISH NA will occupy more than 350,000 square feet of the 1 million-sq.-ft. facility. Its state-of-the art sound and lighting equipment helps to maximize any trade show experience. Centrally located in downtown Toronto, the Trade Centre is within convenient walking distance of a number of hotels and attractions.

An ISH NA registration badge also gains admission into the 2002 LonWorld Tradeshow and Conference. Echelon Corp. has joined with Messe Frankfurt for LonWorks Control Network’s annual building, home and industrial automation conference. LonWorks leads the way in home automation, connecting devices such as appliances, thermostats, HVAC/ hydronics, electric meters, lighting, and security systems to each other and to the Internet. LonWorld will offer a number of seminars in energy savings, new technologies, and sales tips, and displays for LonWorks’ latest technologies.

Around The Town

Toronto is Canada’s largest metropolis and one of North America’s most diverse and exciting cities. With the highly favorable exchange rate, almost 2 to 1, your American dollar will afford you the highest luxuries. Take a walk from the show floor to the “World within a City” and explore what Toronto has to offer.

Dining -- On the Waterfront or at the top of the CN tower, dining in Toronto is a unique experience. The city offers everything from casual cafes to fine dining. If ethnic food is your dish, visit Little Italy or venture into any of Toronto’s Thai, Mexican, Greek, French or Chinese restaurants. For more dining information, visit www.torontotourism.com and click on “Where To Eat.”

Entertainment -- art, sports, shopping, theatre; Toronto offers the best of:

Sports: For hockey fans, Oct. 31 Maple Leafs vs. Atlanta; Nov. 2 Maple Leafs vs. Montreal. Visit www.theaircanadacentre.com/calendar_tickets/tickets.html.

Daily tours of the Sky Dome: visit www.skydome.com.

Get a picture with the Stanley Cup at the Hockey Hall of Fame: visit www.hhof.com.

Attractions: The CN Tower is Toronto’s most recognized attraction. Rising 1,815 ft., the tower houses three restaurants, multiple observation decks, an arcade and other attractions. Visit www.cntower.ca/ for more information.

Eaton Centre Mall is Toronto’s No. 1 tourist attraction, bringing in more than 1 million shoppers a week. Offering 350-plus shops and restaurants, the Eaton Centre will more than fulfill your shopping needs.

The Royal Ontario Museum highlights the world’s most fascinating archeological, artistic and scientific endeavors. With 40-plus galleries, the ROM is Toronto’s cultural centerpiece. Visit www.rom.on.ca/.

Theatre: Now playing at the Princess of Wales Theatre: the Broadway smash, “The Lion King.” Tickets for Disney’s Tony Award-winning production are still available. Check out www.onstagenow.com for ticket information.

Inspired by the music of ABBA, the Broadway hit “Mamma Mia” is playing at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Visit www.mirvish.com for show times and ticket information.

For more info on performance art, visit www.torontotourism.com, click on “What to See and Do” and the “Theatre” link.

Transportation & Accommodation

While traveling in and around the city, take advantage of Toronto’s extensive bus, streetcar, subway and taxi services. Visit the Toronto Transit Commission Web site at www.ttc.ca for information on day passes. Also check out www.diamondtaxi.on.ca for info on Toronto’s exclusive taxi service.

ISH NA is working in cooperation with a number of four-star area hotels. For hotel information, visit www.ish-na.com and click on “Housing.” Special hotel rates are available.

If you have not yet booked your flight, visit www.aircanada.com for ticket information.

ISH North America is the industry’s premier event in 2002. Join the thousands of contractors, builders, engineers, architects, distributors and designers in Toronto for the launch of a new brand of trade shows and a new vision for the industry. To register for ISH NA, visit www.ish-na.com or call Neil Stalker at Messe Frankfurt: 866/984-8016, ext. 14.

PM Columnists At ISH NA

Several PM columnists will be featured at ISH NA. A complete list of seminar dates and times is available at www.PMmag.com. PM