Conference Session Information
Session 1:
Navigating the 2021 Residential HVAC Code Changes
—Chris Morin (HVAC Pro Blog)
Abstract
This seminar is tailored for residential HVAC sales professionals across New England to stay ahead of the curve as the 2021 IRC, IMC, and IECC codes reshape the industry.
With enforcement beginning in 2025 across Massachusetts and beyond, understanding these updated codes is essential for success.
In this session, we’ll demystify the critical changes, including:
Learn how to confidently navigate compliance discussions with homeowners and elevate your sales strategies. Mastering these codes ensures your customers’ homes remain both comfortable and compliant.
Meet the Speaker
Chris Morin is the Author, Owner, & Creator of the popular HVAC Pro Blog. An ACCA Residential System Design Instructor, Chris' experience includes consulting contractors and technicians on proper system design, quality installation, and system diagnosis – both in the classroom and in the field.
Chris started carrying tools in HVAC at age 16, graduated from Minuteman Regional Vocational, and promptly entered the U.S. Marines as a Refrigeration Mechanic, where he served two tours in Iraq.
Returning home, he was a Service Technician, then Service Manager, before working for an MA-based utility rebate program implementer as an HVAC Specialist/Trainer.
In the Fall of 2024, Chris left his corporate job working as the Northeast Business Development Sales Manager for America's leading ductless manufacturer, Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US, to work full-time on this passion project. Chris holds a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and an MA Master Sheet Metal License.
This seminar is tailored for residential HVAC sales professionals across New England to stay ahead of the curve as the 2021 IRC, IMC, and IECC codes reshape the industry.
With enforcement beginning in 2025 across Massachusetts and beyond, understanding these updated codes is essential for success.
In this session, we’ll demystify the critical changes, including:
- Mechanical system requirements
- Duct sealing standards
- Ventilation updates
- Heating & cooling equipment guidelines
- Energy conservation measures
Learn how to confidently navigate compliance discussions with homeowners and elevate your sales strategies. Mastering these codes ensures your customers’ homes remain both comfortable and compliant.
Meet the Speaker
Chris Morin is the Author, Owner, & Creator of the popular HVAC Pro Blog. An ACCA Residential System Design Instructor, Chris' experience includes consulting contractors and technicians on proper system design, quality installation, and system diagnosis – both in the classroom and in the field.
Chris started carrying tools in HVAC at age 16, graduated from Minuteman Regional Vocational, and promptly entered the U.S. Marines as a Refrigeration Mechanic, where he served two tours in Iraq.
Returning home, he was a Service Technician, then Service Manager, before working for an MA-based utility rebate program implementer as an HVAC Specialist/Trainer.
In the Fall of 2024, Chris left his corporate job working as the Northeast Business Development Sales Manager for America's leading ductless manufacturer, Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US, to work full-time on this passion project. Chris holds a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and an MA Master Sheet Metal License.
Session 2:
Navigating the Evolving HVAC Legislative and Regulatory Landscape
—David Kerrigan (Kenney & Sams)
—Mark & Scott Delaney (Delaney Associates)
—Sean Robertson (ACCA)
Abstract
The HVAC industry is at the forefront of rapidly changing legislative and regulatory landscapes. Staying informed is critical for businesses to adapt and thrive amid these changes. This session provides essential insights to help industry leaders anticipate and address key issues.
Key Highlights
Why Attend?
Gain actionable knowledge and engage with leading experts to ensure your business is prepared for these regulatory shifts. From understanding legislative impacts to strategizing for future changes, this session equips you to navigate complexities effectively.
Meet the Speakers
The HVAC industry is at the forefront of rapidly changing legislative and regulatory landscapes. Staying informed is critical for businesses to adapt and thrive amid these changes. This session provides essential insights to help industry leaders anticipate and address key issues.
Key Highlights
- State-Specific Updates for Massachusetts
- The latest on Under 10-Ton Refrigeration Legislation and its implications.
- Updates on the HVAC Construction Supervisor License (CSL) requirements.
- An in-depth look at the DOER Stretch Code and the challenges surrounding the HERS Rater issue.
- Federal Policy Overview
- Recent developments in refrigerant regulations and energy efficiency standards.
- Post-election analysis: What the 119th Congress means for HVAC contractors.
- Strategies for building relationships with legislators to influence policy.
- Insight into how federal regulations impact industry trends and business strategies.
Why Attend?
Gain actionable knowledge and engage with leading experts to ensure your business is prepared for these regulatory shifts. From understanding legislative impacts to strategizing for future changes, this session equips you to navigate complexities effectively.
Meet the Speakers
- David Kerrigan, ACA/NE Legal Advisor, Kenney & Sams
David Kerrigan, a Director at Kenney & Sams, is a litigator with uniquely deep experience representing individuals and groups in challenges to state regulations and statutes and defending and asserting civil rights claims. David has three decades of experience bringing and defending claims related to a range of business, construction and employment litigation.
As a former Chief of the Government Bureau of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, David is one of few litigators in Massachusetts able to draw upon his many experiences defending state officials and agencies against these claims while now handling challenges to local and state government regulations and enforcement actions in a variety of contexts. He combines an insider’s knowledge of government defense strategy with deep trial experience and knowledge of regulatory process and statutes.
His administrative law practice includes representing individuals involved with a variety of trades – contractors, plumbers, electricians, engineers and designers – in disputes with professional licensing boards alleging violation of professional conduct standards. David also handles matters before the State Ethics Commission, among other state agencies.
As a general commercial litigator, David brings and defends claims involving construction issues, employment disputes and other business-to-business issues. His experience spans contract claims, employment discrimination, prevailing wage issues, independent contractor classification issues, breach of lease claims, franchise litigation and more.
David’s effectiveness in civil litigation is tied to his experience as a trial lawyer. He handles complex cases involving substantial criminal or financial penalties and significant media attention and knows how to navigate the legal as well as reputational issues clients can face.
- Mark and Scott Delaney, ACA/NE lobbyists, Delaney and Associates
After graduating from Suffolk University Mark Delaney began working as an aide to Massachusetts State Representative Angelo Cataldo (Revere). He began lobbying in 1985 and completed his law degree and continuing to JD New England School of Law in 1996. He passed the bar the following year and has been lobbying ever since.
His brother Scott Delaney began his Lobbyist work in 1990 after working for nearly a decade with the Massachusetts Transportation Authority.
Together, Mark and Scott work to lobby for issues such as Real estate, Telecommunications, Construction, Energy, licensing, Gaming, solid waste disposal, Tobacco, Permitting and many others!
- Sean Robertson, ACCA Vice President of Membership, Advocacy and Events
Sean Robertson is ACCA's Vice President of Membership, Advocacy and Events. He oversees all aspects of ACCA's membership programs, government affairs, advocacy, and events. By refocusing ACCA programs on the needs of member contractors, he reversed a longtime decline in membership, growing it by 25 percent.
He has two decades of experience developing advocacy and member engagement programs for prominent associations like Alzheimer’s Association and Land Trust Alliance. As a lifelong conservationist, he is particularly passionate about promoting incentives for quality installation of HVAC systems, which provides a more cost-effective pathway to energy efficiency, while bringing new revenue opportunities for quality contractors.
Session 3:
Better, Faster in-Home Heat Pump Sales
—Mike Cappuccio (Dominate Ductless)
Abstract
Join us to master the art of efficient, customer-centric heat pump sales and elevate your business results!
Meet the Speaker
Mike Cappuccio is a popular speaker at conferences, dealer meetings, and industry expos, where he talks about the business opportunity contractors have when they employ a systematized ductless mini-split heat pump sales, marketing, and installation strategy.
For more than 30 years, Mike owned and operated N.E.T.R., Inc. In 2002, he began selling ductless.
Mini-split systems. He has since grown sales from $20K annually to more than 12 million in ductless sales annually.
Mike has since sold N.E.T.R., Inc. And is giving 100% of his time to training contractors around the country to be the leaders in this segment of their business.
- What you’ll gain from this session is a proven, step-by-step process for in-home sales that ensures:
- Higher conversion rates through a personalized approach.
- Happier customers who feel confident in their decisions.
- Fewer call-backs with clear communication and follow-through.
- Increased profits by streamlining your sales strategy.
- Insight into the latest tools and technologies to elevate your in-home sales experience.
- Practical, real-world success stories that showcase how this approach wins over customers.
Join us to master the art of efficient, customer-centric heat pump sales and elevate your business results!
Meet the Speaker
Mike Cappuccio is a popular speaker at conferences, dealer meetings, and industry expos, where he talks about the business opportunity contractors have when they employ a systematized ductless mini-split heat pump sales, marketing, and installation strategy.
For more than 30 years, Mike owned and operated N.E.T.R., Inc. In 2002, he began selling ductless.
Mini-split systems. He has since grown sales from $20K annually to more than 12 million in ductless sales annually.
Mike has since sold N.E.T.R., Inc. And is giving 100% of his time to training contractors around the country to be the leaders in this segment of their business.
Session 4:
Hire, Retain, and Develop Future Leaders
—Federated Insurance
Abstract
One good hire today could become a great leader tomorrow. This presentation will address hiring and retaining employees, and will examine how to help them develop into future leaders to better position your organization to have well-trained, experienced people in key positions. Managing the succession of talent is avital strategic process that can minimize gaps in leadership and enable your best people to develop the skills necessary for possible future roles.
Meet the Speaker
Dan Hitman is an Account Executive in the Association Risk Management Services department of Federated Insurance. Dan is responsible for managing Federated’s association and buying group partners in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Dan began his Federated career in 2020 as a Marketing Development Trainee. He was promoted to Marketing Representative in October of 2020 where he was a successful marketing representative in Los Angeles, California. Dan earned the trust of hundreds of business owners in the areas of safety, risk, and business management, focusing on value, service, and relationships.
Dan is originally from New Jersey and attended Kansas University where he competed in Track and Field. Dan is an avid motorcyclist, enjoys working out, staying active and shooting his bow and arrow. Dan is located in Albany, New York.
One good hire today could become a great leader tomorrow. This presentation will address hiring and retaining employees, and will examine how to help them develop into future leaders to better position your organization to have well-trained, experienced people in key positions. Managing the succession of talent is avital strategic process that can minimize gaps in leadership and enable your best people to develop the skills necessary for possible future roles.
Meet the Speaker
Dan Hitman is an Account Executive in the Association Risk Management Services department of Federated Insurance. Dan is responsible for managing Federated’s association and buying group partners in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Dan began his Federated career in 2020 as a Marketing Development Trainee. He was promoted to Marketing Representative in October of 2020 where he was a successful marketing representative in Los Angeles, California. Dan earned the trust of hundreds of business owners in the areas of safety, risk, and business management, focusing on value, service, and relationships.
Dan is originally from New Jersey and attended Kansas University where he competed in Track and Field. Dan is an avid motorcyclist, enjoys working out, staying active and shooting his bow and arrow. Dan is located in Albany, New York.
Session 5:
Introduction to AI for Home Service Businesses
—Carol Longacre (Service Nation)
—Colleen Keyworth (Online Access)
Abstract
Description: In this workshop, we explore the cutting-edge applications of AI in home service industries. Discover how AI is revolutionizing customer service through automation, such as AI-powered call taking, and enhancing operational efficiency. We'll discuss current and future trends in automation, practical use case scenarios, and examples of AI at work in businesses like yours. The workshop will also cover existing AI software tools that can be utilized to streamline processes and improve customer interactions. Please bring a laptop to participate.
Takeaways
- Understanding AI Automation Trends
Insights into where automation technology is headed and how it can transform home service businesses.
- AI Call Taking and Customer Interaction
Explore how AI can enhance customer service and engagement.
- Use Case Scenarios and Examples
Detailed discussions on practical AI applications already transforming the industry.
- Exploring Existing AI Software
Overview of available AI tools that can optimize operations and customer service.
- Ethics of AI in Business
Strategies to ensure AI-driven decisions are ethical, fair, and privacy-conscious.
- Introduction to AI Implementation
Tips on integrating AI tools into business operations, including prompt engineering for effective AI interactions.
Meet the Speaker
Information to come
Session 6:
Mass Save Heating and Cooling Program Overview
—Justin Bates (Abode Energy Management)
Abstract
The Sponsors of Mass Save® have made several modifications to the Heating and Cooling program. Join the Heat Pump Support team to review these highlights and explore the 2025 Heating and Cooling program.
Meet the Speaker
Justin Bates manages the Heat Pump Support team for Residential and Commercial Heat Pump Installer Network (HPIN) contractors. Working at Abode Energy Management for the last two years, Justin has overseen Municipal Light Plant (MLP) and local Community energy efficiency programs.
He is also a member of the City of Salem's Conservation Commission.
The Sponsors of Mass Save® have made several modifications to the Heating and Cooling program. Join the Heat Pump Support team to review these highlights and explore the 2025 Heating and Cooling program.
Meet the Speaker
Justin Bates manages the Heat Pump Support team for Residential and Commercial Heat Pump Installer Network (HPIN) contractors. Working at Abode Energy Management for the last two years, Justin has overseen Municipal Light Plant (MLP) and local Community energy efficiency programs.
He is also a member of the City of Salem's Conservation Commission.
See Who's Joined Us!
Our attendee lists are constantly changing.
These will be updated as frequently as possible and complete lists will be available to attendees following the event.
These will be updated as frequently as possible and complete lists will be available to attendees following the event.