Francisco Perucho (C&R 2023): "the fair will be the primary meeting point for the entire value chain of this industry"

What are the main goals that the Organising Committee of the International Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Trade Fair, C&R 2023, has set itself?

This new C&R fair, to be held in 2023, continues to have a clear focus on boosting the HVACR sector, at a key moment of market recovery and growth, so reactivation maintains a positive long-term trend. It is also intended to be the primary meeting point for everything that represents the value chain of the air-conditioning and refrigeration industry.

During the first meeting of this committee, the priority goals of this event were established namely: to increase the representativeness of its offer, to promote the active participation of qualified professionals in the distribution channel and prescription, and to expand its international scope.

How does the event plan to increase the representativeness of its offer?

The fair will once again promote the innovation gallery, with incentives for the leading companies in the sector exhibiting at C&R 2023 to promote the latest solutions and technologies, at a time when the situation of the energy transition within the framework of forthcoming regulatory changes makes them particularly necessary.

The multi-territorial component of the fair will also be maintained, in order to attract both exhibitors and visitors from different geographical areas, offering opportunities for collaboration with other international association and trade fair organisations, thus increasing its scope. In this respect, the profile of the entities making up the C&R 2023 organising committee is increasingly broad and diverse, and includes different areas of application, types of agents in the value chain, European groupings, etc.

Meanwhile, the practical workshop activities within the fair, AACT (Applied Air-Conditioning Techniques) Workshop and Refrigeration Workshop, will attract professional groups of technicians and students, helping to increase the attractiveness of a sector that is in urgent need of skilled labour.

The forum of lectures will focus on the hottest topics in the sector, and will be supported by leading agents from the entire supply chain, from components and equipment to the end user, including distribution, prescription, engineering, installation, maintenance, etc.

And, of course, the growing presence of exhibiting companies, as well as associations, collective organisations, media, etc., will complete the representation map of C&R 2023.

How will you promote the participation of qualified professionals in the distribution and prescription channel?

The organising committee is looking into communication initiatives aimed at this target audience, as well as planning a programme of sessions of interest concerning the new developments that are planned for the end of the year, when the fair will be held. The developments of certain European regulations on eco-design and the use of refrigerants in equipment and installations; the need for regulatory compliance; the forthcoming requirements of European directives on the energy efficiency of buildings; RePowerEU plans based on the rapid deployment of heat pumps for the decarbonisation of heating, cooling and hot water production (domestic and industrial processes); the digitisation of processes; the smart management of thermal installations; the challenges of energy rehabilitation; etc., will be some of the topics that will make up the conferences and plenary sessions.

Meetings will also be organised through the Live Connect platform, which will complement the meetings that take place during the fair. The aim is for these channels to make it possible to see exhibitors' solutions and services first-hand, attend practical workshops and enjoy a highly professional networking environment in which to share best practices and forge partnerships.

Another noteworthy feature is the growing institutional presence in the plenary sessions, workshops and round table discussions, as well as in visits to exhibitors and meetings with sector leaders. This interaction between industry and administrations has intensified in recent years and enables the distribution and prescription channel to form part of this network.

What will the promotion of internationalisation at the fair achieve?

On the one hand, a larger audience of exhibitors and visitors from other countries means a greater diversity of proposals, which enriches the show's representativeness, competitiveness and innovation.

On the other hand, it strengthens the image of Spain and the important role of air-conditioning and refrigeration for essential sectors, emphasising the value of Spanish industry and the quality of its solutions. This, in turn, promotes international business relations, which leads to greater opportunities for exporting and importing companies.

A dynamic, high-quality trade fair, which grows in reputation and international visibility, makes for a strong and highly-recognised sector at all levels.