The Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating held its trade/consumer show and conference for plumbing, hydronic heating and water quality in Toronto in March, featuring 165 exhibitors in 300 booths and drawing more than 6,000 visitors.

The largest group of trade visitors - 15% - came from the plumbing sector. They were followed by 13% from the heating business, 12% from hydronic heating and 9% each from kitchen and bath, and air conditioning. Compared with CIPHEX '99 Ontario, contractor registration increased by 18%, wholesaler registration was up 17%, engineer registration rose by 9% and kitchen and bath designer registration was up by 106%. Attendance was boosted by new promotions targeting water treatment dealers and renovators.

More than 1,100 visitors took part in the conference program with sessions on plumbing, hydronics, water quality and sales led by leading speakers from across North America including Richard Trethewey, John Siegenthaler and Kimberley Seldon.

More than 3,000 industry delegates from across western Canada and the northwestern United States are expected to attend the CIPHEX West 2004 trade show and conference in Calgary, Alberta, Canada Nov. 2-3. For information, visit www.ciphexwest.ca.