Education, products, networking highlight 2004 ISH North America in Boston

f you've been meaning to brush up on your professional development, stop pondering and start packing for ISH North America. ISH NA, the industry's largest and most comprehensive seminar program and product exposition, takes place October 12 to 16 in Boston. Most events will take place in the new Boston Convention Center.

This third installment of ISH NA is the most expansive yet, with 70 ISH NA seminars, dozens of association sponsored classes, and several technical certification courses available through out the week. Seven distinct seminar tracks are offered through the ISH seminar program: HVAC, Hydronics, Radiant Heating, Environmental Systems, Plumbing, Kitchen & Bath, and Business Management and Marketing.

If tools, software, products, or equipment are your priority, the ISH NA Expo will captivate you as more than 500 exhibitors display their newest offerings during the three expo days (October 14 to 16, Thursday through Saturday). New pavilions and on floor demonstrations will make this year's show floor more engaging. Expo entrance is free to seminar registrants.

Perhaps you looking to network with other pros? Three ISH NA partner associations--American Supply Association (ASA), Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC), and Radiant Panel Association (RPA)--each will hold its annual convention during the week. ISH NA partner Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) will host a reception. And at least 20 other endorsing organizations will participate in ISH NA with seminars, courses, and booths in the Expo hall.

The ISH seminar program kicks off at 8 a.m. Thursday morning with a keynote address by hydronics expert Dan Holohan, followed by 11 concurrent seminars at 9 a.m. and nine concurrent seminars at 3 p.m. On Friday, 36 seminars will be presented over the course of three time slots: 8 a.m., 9:45 a.m., and 3 p.m. On Saturday, another 12 concurrent seminars will be presented during one time slot at 9 a.m. Most seminars run 1.5 hours.

The Hydronics Institute Div. of GAMA will present a two-day I=B=R School on October 12 to 13 in Room 103 of the Boston Convention Center. The course will cover hydronic heating system design and installation, heat loss calculations, boiler sizing, pipe sizing, zoning, wiring, circulation selection, and much more. Cost for the school is $395 and includes lunch both days, beverage service, two illustrated textbooks, and certificate of completion. Contact Keri Wrobel of BNP Medi