The Air Conditioning Contractors of America announced its lineup of workforce development speakers for the ACCA Annual Conference and IE3 Expo. The Annual Conference and IE3 Expo will be held Feb. 12-14 at the Gaylord National Harbor in Washington, D.C.

(Visit www.ie3show.com for a full list of sessions and speakers and for registration and exhibiting information.)

Workforce development issues are significant challenges HVAC contractors must address. ACCA enlists leaders in communications, veteran recruitment, and professional development to speak at the ACCA Annual Conference and provide contractors with important tools to address these issues.

Highlights of the 10 workforce-focused sessions include:

• “Hire More Veterans Today,” with Tim Sweeney and DJ Holder of Orion Talent;
• “Old School Work Meets New School Employees – Tips for Success,” with Wendy Riemann of 1492 Communications;
• “Navigating Difficult Conversations,” with Rob Stader of Lee Company; and
• “I NEED HELP! Proven Methods to Find and Keep Experienced Residential Technicians, Plumbers, and Electricians,” with Trevor Flannigan of HomeServiceChats and Joshua Davis of AccuTemp Services.

"ACCA’s current Chairman, Don Langston, set ACCA on a mission to help contractors find the next generation of employees,” said Paul T. Stalknecht, ACCA president and CEO. “To be successful at hiring and retaining the next generation, contractors must know how to address the communication gaps between baby boomers and millennials. ACCA’s 2018 conference speakers will show contractors how to overcome these obstacles and recruit and retain professional staff.”