The Air Conditioning Contractors of America announced that Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta will appear Feb. 12 as the conference’s keynote speaker. The conference takes place Feb. 12-14 at the Gaylord National Harbor resort. 

“In 2017, as the incoming chairman of ACCA, my goal was to transform ACCA into an organization that would positively impact workforce development programs,” said Don Langston. “I am grateful to the dedicated staff and members of ACCA who have contributed to these efforts, and am proud that everything we have been doing has led to this moment. We are honored that Secretary Acosta is speaking at the ACCA conference, where he will discuss the vast amount of work being done to turn the U.S. into a model of apprenticeship programs and technical education.”

Prior to becoming labor secretary, Acosta was a member of the National Labor Relations Board, an assistant attorney general at the Justice Department and U.S. attorney for Florida’s southern district. 

“The Department of Labor’s activities are very important to America’s HVACR contractors,” said ACCA President and CEO Paul T. Stalknecht. “As the agency responsible for promoting workforce development and career readiness, the secretary has a significant impact on ACCA’s members. He is playing a critical role helping the HVACR industry address our nation’s skilled labor shortage.”