ARBS Exhibitions

What ARBS Exhibitions does

ARBS Exhibitions Ltd is a private, not-for-profit exhibition management company founded in 1998 that operates Australia's premier HVAC&R (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration) and building services trade exhibitions. The company is governed by a board representing six peak industry associations — AIRAH, AMCA, AREMA, CIBSE, RACCA, and ARWA — and reinvests proceeds through the ARBS Foundation to support industry education, research, and $5,000 Future Leader scholarships. Its flagship biennial exhibition alternates between Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre and Sydney ICC, with ARBS 2024 hosting 353 exhibitors and 9,378 visitors across 15,000 m², and ARBS 2026 attracting 300+ exhibitors and 10,000+ attendees.

The company's core product portfolio includes the biennial ARBS Exhibition, the regional ARBSQLD exhibition in Brisbane (launched 2025), the Trans-Tasman Chillventa Study Tour to Germany, the dual-stream Awards program (Industry Excellence Awards and Future Leader Awards), the IBTech intelligent buildings precinct, the Knowledge Hub for year-round content, the Careers Hub for workforce development, and the Women Igniting Change diversity initiative. The technology stack supporting operations includes a mobile app built on MapShow/MapYourShow platform, online exhibition directories, web-based registration, and digital floor plans — all third-party event management tooling rather than proprietary technology.

Revenue is generated primarily from exhibitor stand bookings ($410–$460/m² for ARBSQLD 2027), event sponsorships (Daikin as Platinum Partner, ebm-papst as Seminar Program Sponsor, Hisense, S-5 as supporting partners), ticketed awards events, and international delegate packages ($1,900–$9,880 AUD for Chillventa tour tiers). Exhibition attendance is free for qualified industry professionals, creating a two-sided marketplace model that connects manufacturers and suppliers with contractors, technicians, engineers, and specifiers. The company is headquartered in Surrey Hills, Melbourne, operates primarily in Australia, and is led by CEO Amanda Searle (appointed October 2023) and Chairman Prof Tony Arnel.

Name

ARBS Exhibitions

Legal name

ARBS Exhibitions Ltd

Website

https://arbs.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ARBS Exhibitions Ltd is a not-for-profit organisation that operates Australia's premier biennial HVAC&R and building services trade exhibitions, connecting manufacturers and suppliers with contractors, engineers, and specifiers across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and international study tours.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Mckinnon

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Exhibition Stand Bookings: Primary revenue stream from manufacturers and suppliers who book exhibition stands at ARBS events. Pricing varies by stand type (shell scheme vs space only) and location.
2. Delegate Packages: International study tour packages (e.g., Chillventa 2026 Germany tour) generating revenue from ANZ HVAC&R professionals attending European trade events with hosted access, technical visits, and networking.
3. Awards Event Tickets: Revenue from gala dinner tickets and Future Leaders Forum tickets at the ARBS Industry Awards events.
4. Event Sponsorship: Sponsorship revenue from companies seeking visibility at ARBS exhibitions, awards, and seminar programs. Major sponsors include Daikin (Platinum Partner for Awards), ebm-papst (Seminar Program Sponsor).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ARBS Exhibitions organizes and hosts Australia's premier HVAC&R and building services trade exhibitions, including the biennial ARBS show alternating between Melbourne and Sydney, the regional ARBSQLD event in Brisbane, and international study tours. The company operates a two-sided marketplace connecting HVAC&R manufacturers and suppliers (as paying exhibitors booking stands) with contractors, technicians, engineers, and specifiers (attending free of charge), while also delivering awards programs, industry seminars, and digital content through its Knowledge Hub.

Product overview

ARBS Exhibitions operates as a not-for-profit organization managing Australia's premier HVAC&R and building services exhibition ecosystem. The core product is the biennial ARBS Exhibition (alternating Melbourne/Sydney), complemented by regional ARBSQLD events and the Chillventa Study Tour. The portfolio includes the dual-stream ARBS Awards program (Industry Excellence Awards and Future Leader Awards with $5,000 scholarships), the Knowledge Hub for year-round content, Careers Hub for workforce development, IBTech intelligent buildings precinct, and Women Igniting Change (WIC) diversity initiative. The ARBS Foundation reinvests proceeds into industry education and research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ARBS Exhibition (Biennial Flagship) Australia's premier biennial HVAC&R and building services trade exhibition held alternating between Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre and Sydney ICC since 1998. Features 350+ exhibitors, 50+ seminars, industry awards, and networking events for manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, technicians, engineers and specifiers.
• ARBSQLD Regional Exhibition Queensland's HVAC&R training-focused exhibition featuring immersive product training sessions, technical talks, micro-credentials, PD seminar programs, and a careers hub. Held at Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. Shell Scheme stands at $460/m² + GST; Space Only at $410/m² + GST.
• ARBS Industry Excellence Awards & Future Leader Awards Two-stream award program recognising excellence in HVAC&R and building services: Industry Excellence Awards for products, projects, service and education (including Major Project Excellence, HVAC Product Excellence, Refrigeration Product Excellence, IBTech Project Excellence, and Education & Training Excellence categories); and Future Leader Awards with $5,000 scholarships for emerging professionals.
• Chillventa Study Tour 2026 Trans-Tasman delegation program combining Chillventa Congress and Exhibition access in Germany with curated technical site visits and peer networking. Three packages: Full Tour Package ($9,880 AUD + GST, 8 days/7 nights), Partner Package ($5,000 AUD + GST), and ANZ Chillventa Delegation Package ($1,900 AUD + GST, 4 days).
• Women Igniting Change (WIC) 2026 Ticketed event celebrating and advancing women in HVAC&R and building services, co-presented with FPA Australia and held in conjunction with Fire Australia at MCEC. Features speaker panels, networking, and the 30x30 Pledge Wall initiative. $50 + GST per person including morning tea and a MECCA gift bag.

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor, flagship and major.

• AIRAH (Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARBS is fully supported by AIRAH and five other member associations that are actively involved in staging the exhibition and associated events. AIRAH nominates one inductee annually to the ARBS Hall of Fame and co-delivers professional development content.
• AMCA Australia (Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMCA Australia is a member association actively involved in ARBS exhibitions. AMCA nominates Hall of Fame inductees and co-delivers programs including the Women in HVAC&R networking events and professional development seminars.
• AREMA (Australian Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturers Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAREMA is one of six member associations governing ARBS. The association nominates Hall of Fame inductees and supports industry representation at exhibitions.
• CIBSE ANZ (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIBSE is a member association involved in ARBS governance and events. Nominates Hall of Fame inductees and contributes to the professional development seminar program.
• RACCA (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRACCA is a member association supporting ARBS exhibitions. Kevin O'Shea AM serves as President of RACCA Australia and RACCA NSW on the ARBS Board. RACCA nominates Hall of Fame inductees.
• ARWA (Air Conditioning Wholesalers Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARWA is one of the six member associations supporting ARBS exhibitions. ARWA nominates Hall of Fame inductees representing the wholesaler perspective in the industry.
• German-New Zealand Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for the Trans-Tasman Chillventa Delegation & German Study Tour 2026. Provides local expertise and connections for the ANZ delegation to Europe's premier refrigeration and building systems event.
• IHRACE New ZealandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for the Trans-Tasman Chillventa Delegation & German Study Tour 2026. Collaborates with ARBS to deliver curated technical visits and networking for New Zealand HVAC&R professionals.
• Daikin AustraliaflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Partner for ARBS Industry Excellence Awards 2026. Provides primary sponsorship for the premier night of the HVAC&R calendar—the Industry Excellence Awards Gala Dinner.
• ebm-papstflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the ARBS 2026 Seminar Program. Supports the technical education content that attracts thousands of professionals to the exhibition.
• HisensemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting partner for ARBS Awards 2026. Part of the ecosystem of sponsors contributing to industry recognition events.
• S-5minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHospitality Partner for ARBS Awards 2026 Future Leader Awards.
• STC (Superior Training Centre)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting partner for ARBS Awards 2026, contributing to industry education and training recognition.
• AG SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting partner for ARBS Awards 2026.
• ASHRAEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner supporting the Women in HVAC&R Program at ARBS 2024, bringing global perspectives on diversity and inclusion in the industry.
• ASBEC (Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for the Women in HVAC&R Program at ARBS 2024, supporting industry-wide diversity initiatives.
• Building Commission NSWminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner supporting the Women in HVAC&R Program at ARBS 2024.
• Technische Hochschule Nürnberg (ieg)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical visit destination for Chillventa 2026 delegation. The Institute for Energy and Building highlights applied R&D across simulation, system analysis, component optimisation and performance monitoring.
• Technical University of Munich (TUM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical visit destination for Munich program. Research institution advancing smart building control, HVAC operation and energy systems including the CoSES lab for integrated electricity-heat-cooling systems.
• Stadtwerke München (SWM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeep geothermal and district energy technical visit showcasing city-scale decarbonisation. SWM aims to cover Munich's district heating demand CO₂-neutrally by 2040.
• ARBS FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded by exhibition proceeds, the ARBS Foundation supports initiatives that give back and strengthen the industry, including education, research, and the Future Leader scholarship program ($5,000 per recipient).
• FPA AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of Women Igniting Change event at ARBS 2026, held in conjunction with Fire Australia event at MCEC.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• RX Global (Reed Exhibitions): RX Global operates major B2B exhibitions worldwide across multiple verticals. As a global exhibition incumbent, it is comparable to ARBS in business model (exhibition organizing) and is used to benchmark event monetization, exhibitor acquisition, and content platforms.
• Messe Frankfurt: Messe Frankfurt is a major German exhibition company running flagship events such as ISH Frankfurt (the world's leading trade fair for HVAC and water). Messe Frankfurt is the operator of ISH and Chillventa, the latter being where ARBS runs its ANZ delegation tour, making Messe Frankfurt both a partner and a peer in exhibition operations for HVAC.
• Informa Markets: Informa Markets is the world's largest B2B trade show and exhibition organizer, running hundreds of events globally across industries including HVAC, construction, and building services. ARBS is a niche, regional HVAC&R exhibition by comparison; Informa's portfolio breadth makes it the most relevant incumbent for benchmarking scale, sponsorships, and digital extensions, though it does not directly compete in the ANZ HVAC&R niche.
• Clarion Events: Clarion Events is a UK-headquartered global B2B exhibition and conference organizer operating across multiple verticals including energy, buildings, and HVAC-related segments. Comparable as a peer in B2B exhibition organization and event-driven monetization.
• GL Events: GL Events is a major French-headquartered exhibition and live event venue operator running trade shows and providing exhibition services globally. It is comparable as a peer in B2B exhibition operations and venue/event services, including HVAC-adjacent industry events.
• Hannover Fairs International (Deutsche Messe): Deutsche Messe runs Hannover Messe, the world's leading industrial technology trade fair, and operates numerous industry-specific exhibitions globally. Comparable as an incumbent exhibition operator in industrial/building technology verticals overlapping with HVAC&R.

Direct peers

• ISH Frankfurt: ISH Frankfurt is the world's leading trade fair for HVAC and water, organized by Messe Frankfurt biennially. It is the international flagship for the HVAC industry that ARBS emulates at a regional level; ARBS even organizes delegation tours to it and Chillventa.
• AHR Expo (ASHRAE/AHRI co-sponsored): AHR Expo is North America's largest HVAC&R trade show, run annually in partnership with ASHRAE and AHRI. It is the most direct international peer to ARBS, serving the same industry vertical (HVAC&R) with a similar exhibitor/attendee model, though at larger scale and on an annual cadence.
• Chillventa (Messe Nürnberg / NürnbergMesse): Chillventa is the leading international trade fair for refrigeration, AC, ventilation, and heat pumps, held biennially in Nuremberg. ARBS runs ANZ delegation tours to Chillventa, making it both a strategic partner and the most direct European peer in the same HVAC&R exhibition niche.

Regional players

• ARBS-adjacent regional: Total Facilities (Sydney/Melbourne): Total Facilities is an Australian facilities management and built environment trade exhibition run by a major exhibition organizer, serving building services professionals in Australia. It is the most relevant ANZ regional peer for ARBS, operating in adjacent building services verticals and competing for some overlapping exhibitor and attendee mindshare.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/arbsexpo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/arbs
• Facebookfacebook.com/ARBSexpo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arbs-exhibitions-limited
• Instagraminstagram.com/arbs_exhibitions

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ARBS Exhibitions