MACS - Mobile Air Conditioning Society in Dallas

Just back from the MACS Convention, held last Thursday through Saturday at the beautiful Hilton Anatole in Dallas, TX. There appeared to be more exhibitors this year than last year (when it was held in Orlando, FL). Probably has something to do with Dallas being the hometown for MACS headquarters. I also learned that the majority of the mobile air conditioning members (or the industry in general) got their start in the state of Texas.

It also felt like there were more attendees walking the aisles, though I did not get a final count from Marion Posen, with MACS.

Good news: There were a decent amount of new products on the show floor. This generally bodes well for sales success in my experience. Show 'em to sell 'em!

General comments from the exhibitors was positive. Most acknowledged the end of a bad year and dismal January, but were looking forward to better results in February and March, with the second quarter seeing a real (though not dramatic) turnaround.

Here are some of the highlights in photos:

The Welcome Reception kicked off the conference on Thursday evening, with live music played on electric guitar and harp. I did not take this at the beginning of the convention, but more towards the end - that's why it's a little sparsely populated. I was anxious to get to the show on time and forgot to take an "opening" photo.

Atco's booth.

Tracerline's new products were spelled out on this wall chart.

This is a pretty neat air conditioning service system from RTI. This is a private brand model they made for Navistar, but they have the same equipment available in RTI's brand. This particular model has all kinds of bells and whistles - including computer hookup and printout.

Ranshu's booth - don't they look pretty in Pink? They gave up the pink llama, and they gave up the pink cockatiel, this year they added a pink gorilla.

Bright Solutions brought along some new 12 oz. plunger tubes, making a messy job tidier and easier. They launched their new Hybrid PAG. PAG oil is considered better than POE oil for A/C compressors, since it has better lubricity and solubility with R-134a. However, since PAGs are conductive, you shouldn't use them in a hybrid system (unless you're up for a shocking experience). Bright Solution says their new hybrid PAG has the lubricity and solubility of a PAG, but with the low conductivity of a POE. Good stuff for the aftermarket!

A 1967 Jaguar Mark Z

Jaguar Clubs of North America National Champion in 2007 and 2008. It is a beautiful car.

Nick Bush, VP of Sales for Cliplight.

RedDot was well represented.

This was the most beautiful car on the show floor, but I forget what it is. It was built on a Acura chassis, and has more than 450 hp. It was at the show to demonstrate that a car owner can be "green" and still have a sweet ride. The dealership that loaned it out had put a new $1,000 exchanger in it that worked with the combustion to turn gas emissions into hydrogen, thereby emitting ZERO carbons or pollutants into the atmosphere. Very cool. He wouldn't let me test drive it.

Rascal. He wasn't at the show, but just looked particularly stupid this afternoon and had to share.