The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) has announced its lineup of keynote speakers for ACCA’s 2021 Annual Conference & Expo. Held at the New Orleans Marriott in New Orleans, the ACCA 2021 Conference will run from Feb. 21 – 24, 2021.

ACCA’s 2021 Conference provides HVAC training opportunities and powerhouse speakers covering the most critical and timely topics affecting HVAC contractors today. Sessions cover a wide range of topics that will help contractors be better businesspeople and grow their profit margins year-over-year.

“ACCA has planned a worthwhile, and must-attend conference experience,” said Barton James, ACCA president and CEO. “We are taking all the necessary steps and following CDC guidelines to ensure a safe conference experience. We are looking forward to seeing members and providing ACCA quality content that event attendees come to expect from us.”

Due to COVID-19, ACCA’s 2020 Annual Conference was cancelled. However, ACCA thought conference participants would benefit from the knowledge and expertise of last year’s keynote speakers. Those keynote speakers will speak at this year’s conference.

The following are the keynote speakers for the ACCA 2021 Conference: 

Gerry O’Brion | What Big Brands Know (sponsored by Rheem and RUUD)
Becoming the #1 Choice in a Crowded Market
As a marketing guru and author, O’Brion translates big brand strategies into knowledge that any business can use to win in the marketplace. O'Brion’s presentations drive growth with companies of all sizes, from small businesses to billion-dollar brands. His experience includes working with Procter & Gamble, Coors Brewing Company, the Quiznos restaurant chain, and most recently, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers. O’Brion built his career growing big brands and distills that experience into creating strategies and real ideas that are actionable immediately.

Jacob Schick | CEO of 22Kill
One Tribe. One Fight.
A passionate and fearless leader whose quick wit and stories of intestinal fortitude have a profound impact on everyone he meets, Schick is currently the CEO of 22KILL. This organization has created a community that raises awareness and combats suicide by empowering veterans, first responders, and their families through traditional and non-traditional therapies. Schick has become a staunch advocate for maximizing the potential in people from all walks of life and shares his story and the effects of being severely wounded at public speaking engagements throughout the country, motivating people to be better tomorrow than they were today, and raises awareness to the epidemic of the 22 warriors that die by suicide every day. Schick has appeared on James Gandolfini’s HBO special “Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq,” as well as “60 Minute Sports.” He has also been featured in roles in Clint Eastwood’s productions of “American Sniper” and “The Mule,” and he appeared in Bradley Cooper’s production of “A Star is Born."

“I am looking forward to the 2021 ACCA Conference,” said Brian Stack, president of Stack Heating Cooling and Electric, ACCA events committee chairman, and vice chairman of ACCA’s board of directors. “After this challenging year, it will be nice to have a sense of normalcy, and to be able to take advantage of ACCA’s wonderful educational sessions. I am glad to hear that Gerry O’Brion and Jacob Schick will finally be able to speak. Their stories will empower the next generation of leaders in the HVACR industry.”

To register for the 2021 Conference & Expo, visit the conference website, www.accaconference.com. For vendors interested in sponsoring the event or showcasing their products, contact Jillian Holt of NTP Events at accasales@ntpevents.com or 703-706-8224.

For additional information, contact Deb Weiner, ACCA manager of communications and strategic partnerships, at deb.weiner@acca.org or 703-824-8862.