Looking Back at NADCA’s 2023 Fall Technical Conference

Posted on 09/29/2023

NADCA’s 2023 Fall Technical Conference wrapped Saturday, September 9. Known affectionately as the industry's favorite conference for air duct cleaning technicians to experience the technical side of the job as they ‘learn by doing,’ Fall Tech is great for technicians at every skill level and every stage of their careers. Strong attendance illustrates the commitment of business owners toward investing in continuing education for technicians as we discover the next generation of HVAC cleaning and inspection professionals. 

Fast Facts:

  • This year, we welcomed nearly 250 attendees, with over 140 attending for the first time! 
  • 19 exhibitors showed off a superb array of products and services in the always-popular exhibit hall.
  • There were 82 ASCS training course participants, with 89 sitting for the exam.
  • There were 13 CVI training course participants, with 12 sitting for the exam.
  • Nearly 50 submissions were received for the first-time attendee scholarships, sponsored by Sunbelt. 
  • The ASCS training course was available for attendees in both English and Spanish.

Top 3 Reasons to Attend Fall Tech

 

The conference kicked off on Thursday, September 7 with a full day of pre-conference training courses for technicians seeking their Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) or Certified Ventilation Inspector (CVI) certification. Exams were offered Friday morning, September 8, and again on Saturday, September 9. 

Fall Tech is known for featuring a robust educational program, with dynamic and interactive advanced track, technician track, and general sessions, all led by industry experts. This year was no different, with educational sessions that included:

Technician Track Sessions:

  • HVAC 101: Residential Systems
  • HVAC 101: Commercial Systems
  • Cleaning Mini-Splits
  • Customer Service
  • Safety in HVAC System Work

Advanced Track Sessions: 

  • Combustible Dust: What to Look for and How to Manage Hazards
  • HVAC System Inspections and Assessments
  • Air Handler Restoration and Maintenance
  • Having Industrial Hygienists on Your Side
  • Client Acquisition and Customer Development

General Sessions:

  • Damage Control: How to Make the Best of Bad Situations
  • Tech Talk: A Discussion on the Latest Trends in Technology and Gear

Programming for Friday wrapped with a networking reception in the exhibit hall. 

On Saturday morning, educational programming continued with a Teamwork Makes the Dream Work (How Working Together Makes Everyone Better) general session. Then, attendees got into what’s truly distinctive about Fall Tech: instructor-led, hands-on training! 

With eight (8) different hands-on stations, attendees literally learned by doing the tasks associated with duct cleaning. They got right into the nitty gritty of the job, and were encouraged to get actively involved in their own education process by working directly with the tools, equipment, and technologies that are used every day in the duct cleaning industry. Plus, participation in the hands-on stations earned attendees their Ventilation Maintenance Technician (VMT) certificate! Hands-on stations included properly cutting and closing an access opening; cleaning air handlers, performing coil cleaning in accordance with ACR, The NADCA Standard; understanding containment levels; best practices for staying safe on the jobsite, and more. With interactive training, technicians dove right into the action, and experienced real-world scenarios that helped them develop practical expertise and technical skills that can be applied directly to the day-to-day job. 

Attendees also had the opportunity to experience NADCA’s popular virtual reality (VR) training. By simply putting on a headset, they virtually entered a mechanical room in a commercial facility, or an environment typical of a residential setting, and had the opportunity to test their knowledge of system components and the order of operations as it relates to proper air duct cleaning.

The conference concluded with an Ask the Expert panel discussion, complete with giveaways of lots of great prizes!

There’s nothing quite like seeing air duct cleaning technicians eager to learn and dial in their craft. We are thankful for the energy that all our guests, presenters, exhibitors, and sponsors brought to the event. NADCA’s 2023 Fall Technical Conference was one for the books, and we are so incredibly appreciative. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Grapevine!

 

Mark Your Calendars! 

NADCA’s 2024 Fall Technical Conference is set for September 6-8 at the Embassy Suites in Durham, NC! Make plans to attend, and don’t forget that NADCA members get significant discounts on registration for ALL NADCA events!

2024 FTC Save the Date