With six months to go until the opening of NEX 2000, all looks set for the all-industry event. Scheduled for Oct. 6-7 at McCormick Place, Chicago, this year's biennial show will feature the leading manufacturers and service providers to the PHC industry. A strong contingent of Canadian manufacturers also is expected to participate, according to Elizabeth McCullough, Canadian sales manager for NEX.

NEX is the industry show for plumbing, heating, cooling and piping professionals and is a joint venture of the American Supply Association (ASA), the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) and the National Association of the Plumbing, Heating Cooling Contractors Inc. (PHCC). ASA serves as the managing partner of NEX and coordinates all marketing, promotional and sales efforts from its Chicago-based office.

"We're totally on target in all categories for 2000," says Inge Calderon, ASA's executive vice president. "Our professional staff and volunteer leaders have pulled out all the stops to create a one-of-a-kind event for the industry."

The first edition of NEX News 2000, an informational newsletter, will be mailed shortly to all members of ASA, CIPH and PHCC, as well as to registered attendees of NEX 2000. Information about the show, the city of Chicago, special events, and a free registration and hotel reservation form are included in the mailing.

Members of the ASA and several industry-related groups have been invited to participate in a special busing promotion program wherein NEX sponsors will contribute up to $500 toward the cost of any attendee bused to the event. All ASA members within a 400-mile radius of Chicago were mailed promotional material and information on how to sign up. To date, more than a dozen distributors are committed to participate in the program. Additional associations or related groups interested in participating in the NEX busing program should contact the show office in Chicago.

The upgraded and revised Web site for NEX 2000 is up and running at www.nextradeshow.com. Information on McCormick Place, Chicago attractions, airports, affiliate functions, NEX floor plan and current list of exhibitors are all part of the NEX site. Additional links to ASA, CIPH and PHCC make it possible to register and find out information on CIPH programs and the ASA and PHCC Conventions.