Hot topics on the agenda at ARBS 2016

The industry’s hottest topics – from sustainability to safety in design – will be under the microscope when more than 8000 people attend the ARBS 2016 conference in Melbourne in May.

Australia’s only international trade exhibition for the air conditioning, refrigeration and building services industry, ARBS 2016 will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition centre from 17-19 May.

The conference, which features hundreds of exhibitors showcasing new products, technologies and services, continues to grow in size each year. ARBS chairman Ian Hopkins says it is on track to be the biggest yet in terms of space, exhibitors and attendance.

The seminar program features case studies, technical presentations, updates on industry regulations and innovations, and panel discussions from leading thinkers. Hopkins says the seminar program has been carefully selected to explore broader trends and challenges faced by the industry.

“Sustainability remains an underlying fundamental for the industry and is a hot topic in our seminar program this year,” he says.

“We are shining the spotlight on the healthy buildings movement and looking at how the industry is embracing wellness with inspiring real-world examples.”

Hopkins says the industry is also focused on addressing sustainability in the refrigerant space – and the seminar program will highlight some of the future technologies and innovations with no warming potential that are coming the industry’s way.

A third theme is the application of big data in the facilities management space, which is not only boosting energy efficiency in buildings, but also supporting more effective maintenance regimes.

“We are also presenting workshops on safety in design – something that the industry must keep top-of-mind to ensure facilities are designed without inherent dangers to maintenance personnel.

“Another hot topic will be pre-fabrication, which is being driven by the need to deliver cost-effective construction in increasingly dense cities where accessibility on building sites can be a challenge.”

Hopkins, who was at the helm of Norman Disney & Young for 17 years, is also Chairman of the ARBS Foundation.

“We established the Foundation in 2014 to fund research and development initiatives which expand industry’s knowledge.

“We are currently calling for expressions of interest from individuals and institutions with research topics that will benefit the industry, with an emphasis on lifting the capabilities of refrigeration mechanics.”

Check out the ARBS 2016 program or find out more about the ARBS Foundation.