LAS VEGAS — HARDI officials say the association’s 2017 annual conference was a great way to end the year, with record attendance and top-quality speakers to help wholesaler and supplier members growth their businesses.

Official attendance at the Dec. 2-5 event at the Aria hotel-casino in Las Vegas was 1,557. Members who came to the convention could hear from experts on attracting workers, internet marketing, creating work-life balance and emerging currency alternatives such as bitcoin.

It added up to a great conference, said Talbot Gee, CEO of the Heating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International.

“I truly believe that the performance of this year's HARDI annual conference is a testament to the growth in value that members see in HARDI, and the ever-growing potential they see in the association as the industry expands," Gee said. “I hope everyone had a great time in Vegas, but more importantly that they received some takeaways that they will be able to implement into their business practices immediately. We will keep you updated, but stay engaged with the resources HARDI provides to ensure that wholesale distributors are the channel of choice for HVACR manufacturers and contractors.”

Next year’s annual conference is scheduled for Dec. 1-4, 2018, in Austin, Texas.