Since last month, my view of the world has shifted considerably. I can finally share THE big news with readers that has left me pretty excited.
Grab a pen, grab your diary and mark this date: Friday, August 9, 2013.
This is the day that CCN will stage its very first full day conference. Welcome to CCN Live.
I know you're yawning right now, thinking … oh no not another industry conference. If that is what you are thinking, you are way off track. Let me set the record straight.
Firstly, this is no routine event. We have all endured those bland and boring conferences that are over-priced and occupy too many exhibition halls in every city across Australia.
This will not be one of those and it certainly won’t be the same routine format.
If there is only one event you attend this year, this is it. Let me tell you why.
We already have a top line-up of speakers in place, plenty of debate and audience participation, and a program designed to bring everyone together to tackle the hottest issues currently shaping industry.
And it’s not just about today’s issues, it’s also about tomorrow.
The conference theme is “HVAC&R in the Year 2025.” The idea is to identify the major issues to impact industry over the next decade, and it's also about identifying the solutions and being one step ahead by being informed.
Only a media company can provide a neutral platform for debate. Industry groups have an agenda, professional conference organisers are there to make a buck, but CCN Live has been created to make a difference.
CCN’s loyalties are with its readers so making sure you get an audience with the policy makers and experts is what it is all about. And to think only a few weeks ago I was fearful of 2013 turning into a long-winded, dreary, election campaign. But in reality the timing couldn’t be better.
The conference date is six weeks prior to election day, meaning we can get politicians
in attendance and really turn on the pressure. I cannot think of a better platform.
Oh, and did I mention the exclusive content? This is what really sets this event apart.
There will be a good mix of technical expertise and regulatory advice. For example, chair of the National Occupational Licensing Authority (NOLA), Elizabeth Crouch, will talk about the new licensing regime that is set to be introduced on July 1, 2013.
And while my lips are sealed when it comes to the “exclusive” content to be unveiled at the event, I can confirm that some of the most up-to-date research on the local HVAC&R industry will be made available to attendees.
One of the keynote speakers is the managing director of the Expert Group, Peter Brodribb.
As I stated earlier, the program combines the hottest policy issues of the day, which have an immediate effect on industry, with a long-term view of the technology to be applied to this sector in the year 2025.
It’s a decade of knowledge and insight in a single day. Before putting your diary away don’t forget to include the venue: Doltone House, Darling Island Wharf, Sydney.
I can't reveal more about the special “Conference Challenge” session that is planned for CCN Live except to say that it will involve more than half a dozen industry groups who will also contribute to the day’s program.
The idea is to make sure the entire cross-section of the industry has an opportunity to contribute to the planned debates.
CCN Live isn’t the only exciting news I get to share with readers today. Included in this issue of CCN is the Cool Book (Volume 2).
This is the second edition of CCN’s Cool Book and I am thrilled to be able to say that it is considerably larger than the first edition.
This wouldn’t be possible without the continued support of our sponsors. Without them the Cool Book wouldn’t be the great industry resource that it is which is why I want to take this opportunity to formally thank Air Change, Evapco, Danfoss, Refrigerant Reclaim Australia and Zhiel-Abegg.
All of these initiatives – from the Cool Book to CCN Live – rely on your support.
So there it is, the big news. What do you think? What do you want to see at the conference? Send an email and let me know.