(Baltimore, MD) NADCA: The HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Association’s inaugural Fall Technical Conference took place September 30-October 2, 2010 at the Sheraton City Center in Baltimore, MD. The event had more than 100 attendees, and also offered certification courses and tests prior to the Conference.

  The NADCA Fall Technical Conference was a success, in part, due to the availability of two training tracks designed for different levels of technicians. Attendees were able to choose from the Technician Track – for individuals with two years of experience or less – or the Advanced Track, which was designed for technicians who have worked in the industry more than two years.

  Robert “Buck” Sheppard, NADCA President, called the Fall Technical Conference a “resounding success.” Sheppard, of AAA Indoor Air Quality in Portland, OR, added, “Attendance was high, the content was fabulous and having separate tracks for new and advanced level technicians was a home run with attendees.”

  Rick MacDonald, of Armstrong Heating & Power Vac in Manchester, NH, said the conference gave attendees valuable education on how to properly inspect, maintain and restore HVAC systems.

  MacDonald, a member of the NADCA Board of Directors, said, “People tend to learn more at a conference than with online training, because they can share their success and failures with colleagues. Seeing the equipment and tools in person can sometimes be more beneficial than looking at pictures or watching a video.”

  The Fall Technical Conference also included a Hands-On Training portion, which was well received by attendees. During the Hands-On training, attendees were given the chance to explore HVAC components such as coils and pumps, and they were also shown an array of equipment for cleaning these systems.

  Sheppard said, “Reading about theory and practice is always a great starting point and is important for all of us, but actually having the opportunity to experience practical application is an indispensable experience. Attendees were able to see first-hand the skills and applications that are not always seen on a day-to-day basis.”

  For information on the NADCA Technical Conference, contact NADCA Headquarters at (202) 737-2926 or by e-mail at publications@nadca.com.