State Summit Program of Events
See the engaging schedule of events planned for this year's Summit!
Tuesday, April 29
AHRI staff is available to assist with registration during the hours noted.
Location: DeWitt Ballroom Foyer
Hear directly from Acting Head of Large Buildings at NYSERDA, Michael Reed, about the latest activity on issues of concern to the HVACR and water heating industry, including the transition to low-global warming potential refrigerants, building decarbonization, chemicals, plastics and packaging, and energy efficiency.
Location: The Shelf
What are the biggest issues facing companies doing business in New York State? This panel of local business and manufacturing representatives will discuss the agencies and legislation they are following closely in 2025 and the impact they will have on New York businesses to answer the question.
Moderator: Francis Dietz, Vice President, Public Affairs, AHRI
Panelists:
- Ken Pokalsky, Vice President, Business Council of New York State, Inc.
- Randy Wolken, President & CEO, The Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) & The Manufacturers Alliance of New York State
Location: DeWitt Ballroom
Looking for the latest details about the legislation on plastics and extended producer responsibility in New York? Lobbyists and legislators will discuss the current legislative process, key elements of the policy, and prospects for passage this session in New York and other states.
Moderator: Makenzie Horrigan, Senior Manager, International and Domestic Policy, AHRI
Panelists:
- Andrew Hackman, Principal Lobbyist, AMERIPEN
- Craig Johnson, Founder & CEO, Long Point Advisors
- Todd Kaminsky, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig
Location: DeWitt Ballroom
Panelists will provide an update on the first year of compliance for New York City Local Law 97, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large buildings, and a look ahead to future key dates of implementation.
Moderator: Samantha Slater, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, AHRI
Panelists:
- Daniel Avery, Senior Vice President of Policy, Real Estate Board of New York
- John Mandyck, Chief Executive Officer, Urban Green Council
- Patrick McClellan, Policy Director, New York League of Conservation Voters
Location: DeWitt Ballroom
Location: DeWitt Ballroom
Decarbonization policies are being introduced across the northeastern states. On this first of two panels on the subject, speakers from Massachusetts, Maryland, and other states will discuss decarbonization policies and trends in the northeast and their impact on the HVACR and water heating industry.
Moderator: Petra Smeltzer, Senior Director, State Government Affairs, AHRI
Panelists:
- Brittany Baker, Maryland Director, Chesapeake Climate Action Network
- Emily Levin, Senior Policy Advisor, Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management
- Lyn Huckabee, Consumer Energy & Policy Manager, Energy Efficiency Division, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
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Zach Berzolla, Building Decarbonization Section Head, Maryland Department of Environment
Location: DeWitt Ballroom
Industry stakeholders and laboratory experts from Maine and Vermont will be joined by New York speakers to discuss the ongoing development of legislation and regulation of PFAS, including considerations for reporting and testing requirements.
Moderator: Garrett Mason, Partner, Dirigo Public Affairs
Panelists:
- Andrew Bemus, Associate, Alcalde & Fay
- Bill Driscoll, Vice President, Associated Industries of Vermont
- Katie Richards, Chief Executive Officer, Maine PFAS Laboratories
Location: DeWitt Ballroom
Regulators, advocates, and utility representatives will provide a look at the current state of energy efficiency policy and its impact on industry in New York State and the northeast at large. The panel will discuss efforts to address energy efficiency in a cold-climate region as well as strategies that are most effective in promoting energy efficiency in New York, which has been a leader in adopting energy codes and standards that promote building energy efficiency.
Moderator: Nicole Colantonio, Director, Regulatory Affairs, AHRI
Panelists:
- Rob Greig, Director, Building Electrification and Efficiency Incentive Programs, Con Edison
- Chris Corcoran, Team Lead, Codes, Products, and Standards, NYSERDA
- Maggie Molina, Executive Director, NEEP
- Stephen Cowell, Director, Northeast Energy Efficiency and Electrification Council
Location: DeWitt Ballroom
Make plans to attend this networking event to further engage with your fellow industry colleagues.
Location: The Shelf
Wednesday, April 30
AHRI staff is available to assist with registration during the hours noted.
Location: DeWitt Ballroom Foyer
Hear directly from Bradley Honan, President and CEO, Honan Strategy Group, about the latest activity on issues of concern for the HVACR and water heating industry, including the transition to low-global warming potential refrigerants, building decarbonization, chemicals, plastics and packaging, and energy efficiency.
Location: The Shelf
During this panel, stakeholders, including environmental NGOs, will discuss their vision for the policies in place and under consideration related to decarbonization in New York State.
Moderator: Jennifer Butsch, Director, Regulatory Affairs, Copeland
Panelists:
- Elizabeth Moran, Policy Advocate, Earthjustice
- Lisa Dix, New York Director, Building Decarbonization Coalition
- Michael Hernandez, New York Director, Rewiring America
Location: DeWitt Ballroom
Regulators, NGOs, and industry stakeholders will discuss New York’s HFC regulation, including its implementation, and New York’s policy toward refrigerant reclaim and recovery.
Moderator: Scott Stone, Founder & President, Glencoe Strategies LLC
Panelists:
- Mike Durant, President & CEO, Food Industry Alliance of New York State
- Dr. Richie Kaur, Senior Super Pollutant Reduction Advocate, Climate & Energy, NRDC
- Todd Titus, Director of State and Public Affairs, HARDI
- Zoe Dawson, Member, Board of Directors, Refrigerant Emissions Elimination Forum
Location: DeWitt Ballroom
Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay will speak to activities in the Assembly and the Senate on issues of importance to the HVACR and water heating industry.
Moderator: Frank Nemeth, Partner, Hill, Gosdeck, McGraw & Nemeth
Location: DeWitt Ballroom
Before heading to the Capitol Building for coordinated meetings, get to know your group members, and hear from AHRI Government Affairs staff and consultants on issues to be addressed in the meetings.
Speakers:
- Frank Nemeth, Partner, Hill, Gosdeck, McGraw & Nemeth
- Petra Smeltzer, Senior Director, State Government Affairs, AHRI
- Samantha Slater, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, AHRI
Location: The Shelf
Advocating for your company’s interests and building relationships with elected officials is crucial to a successful government relations strategy. AHRI members are encouraged to join meetings arranged by AHRI staff with offices of key members of the New York State Legislature.
Location: New York State Capitol Building
Please join AHRI staff and your industry colleagues for a fun and relaxing evening at The City Beer Hall.