Winter storms battering much of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic were no match for the 2016 AHR Expo, which drew almost 61,000 to Orlando, Florida.

While some HVAC sales professionals from New York, New Jersey and Maryland may have had trouble getting to the Jan. 25-27 event at the Orange County Convention Center due to winter storm Jonas, the expo still managed to have an official attendance of 60,926. Attendees came to central Florida to see what’s billed as the largest HVAC construction trade show in the world.

The expo took up 469,540 square feet of the convention center, with 2,063 exhibitors showing their products.  Exhibitors brought 18,254 staffers to work the booths over the convention’s three days, which saw many products — especially those used in sheet metal forming and ductwork fabrication — sold right off the show floor.

Clay Stevens, president of the International Exposition Co.

, which manages the event, said he was pleased.

“A lot goes into making this show such a valued platform for today’s professionals to come together, but I’m proud to be part of making it all happen,” Stevens said. “Based on early feedback, we’re already working on several aspects of next year’s show to accommodate more attendees and to make the experience even more worthwhile.”

Officials with longtime exhibitor Regal Beloit America Inc. said they had another successful event.

“Regal has been exhibiting at AHR Expo for well over 30 years, and I’ve been coming for 16 of those years in various roles,” said Heather Scaggs-Richardson, marketing communications manager for the company. “AHR Expo is the premier event for HVACR professionals, and one of the few places to see what’s happening, live and in person, in our ever-changing industry. It would take a lot to get me to pass up the opportunity to come each year.”

More coverage of the expo, including photos and videos, is available at www.snipsmag.com.