Multiple stakeholders from pre-construction, construction and post-construction disciplines gathered at the 8th edition of The Climate Control Conference to give a 360-degree diagnosis on the current state of the HVAC industry.

(L- R) Moderators: B Surendar, Editorial Director & Associate Publisher – CPI Industry and Sougata Nandi, Technical Advisor – CPI Industry

Since 2008, when the first edition of The Climate Control  Conference was first held, the event has been designed with two  objectives in mind: train the spotlight on pressing market issues  and, much like the HVAC industry itself, push for innovation and  find ways to improve upon the conventional. This year’s  conference was no different.

Guided by the theme, ‘HVAC 360: Connecting the dots… raising  the bar’, the 8th edition of The Climate Conference spotlighted the  persistent disconnect among stakeholders by asking industry  players to participate in a discussion that covered a record 82  topics. And it did so while employing a unique format that did  away with the traditional panel-and-presentation system of  conferences. Instead, speakers from policymaking bodies as well  as representative developers, manufacturers, consultants, contractors and end-users answered questions put to them on the spot. In the place of presentations and practiced speeches were spontaneous dialogues aimed at bringing about industry and market transformation, making for lively interactions and, at times, heated but instructive debates.

    Jasim Mohammad Sulaiman Al Ali, Head of Section – Electrical & Mechanical team in the conformity affairs department, Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA)

Saad Ali, General Manager – Ruskin Titus

While speaking with Climate Control Middle East during the first day of the conference, Jasim Mohammad Sulaiman Al Ali of ESMA said that he found the participants gathered to be spirited, with enthusiasm and questions to spare. “I have my work cut out for me,” he joked, before admitting that he found the discussions plenty engaging.

Saad Ali of Ruskin Titus, meanwhile, remarked before the event started that the unconventional format might have been a  risk, but he appreciated the freshness of the concept and its departure from the traditional ideas of how conferences should be  designed. He added that, as with most risks taken in the interest of innovation, all the conference needed to achieve success  would be for one participant to buy into the idea and talk about the industry with candour, and the rest would follow. Based  on what transpired during the two-day event, held on June 15 and 16, it is safe to say that the rest followed, and we have the images to show for it.

Delegates at The Climate Control Conference, 2015

Nikhil Bhatia, Regional Manager MENA, Sonitec Vortisand

Jagath Gunawardena,Manager, Projects and Building Development – Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Delegates at The Climate Control Conference, 2015

James Grinnell, Head of Water – Dubai RSB and Wail D Al Halbouni, General Manager – Fortune International Trading Co. LLC

Delegates at The Climate Control Conference, 2015

Kandasamy Anbalagan, Managing Partner – Proleed Engineering Consultants and Nimal Amukutowa

Engr. Redha Salman, Director of  STP’s Department – Dubai Municipality

Nimal Amukotuwa

James Grinnell, Head of Water – Dubai RSB

Engr. Anwaar Al Shimmari, Director – Projects Planning, UAE Ministry of Public Works

Sanjiv Sachdeva, Managing Director – Gulf Engineering System Solutions (GESS)

Karim Badruddin, General Manager – Central Ventilation Systems

Delegates at The Climate Control Conference, 2015

Colin Bridges, General Manager, Qatar – Belimo Automation FZE

The Sustainable City module being exhibited at The Climate Control Conference, 2015

Hassan Younes, Technical Director – Griffin Consultants

Nabil Shafa Amry, Manager MEP – La Casa Architects and Engineering Consultants

Speakers at The Climate Control Conference, 2015

Charles Blaschke, General Manager – Taka Solutions

George Kenich, SEMCO

Bharat Asarpota, Maintenance Engineer – Emarat

Delegates at The Climate Control Conference, 2015

Faris Saeed, CEO – Diamond Developers

Nesar Reza Khan, Head – Investment Agency, GGICO Properties

Jasim Mohammad Sulaiman Al Ali, Head of Section – Electrical & Mechanical team in the conformity affairs department, Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA)

Delegates at The Climate Control Conference, 2015

(L-R) Jasim Mohammad Sulaiman Al Ali from ESMA, George Berbai of DC Pro Engineering and Emil Samarah of Diamond Developers

Delegates at The Climate Control Conference, 2015