Next Starts Now: How Sustainability Played a Role at the Pro Partner International Conference

Rheem’s 100th Anniversary at Pro Partner^® International Conference

Rheem’s 100th anniversary came to life for our customers at our biggest Pro Partner^® International Conference in Las Vegas. More than 7,000 contractors, plumbers, and industry experts joined us to network with others, experience our latest innovations, connect with our vision for the future, and celebrate a century of Rheem’s history and impact.

Sustainability Embedded in Event Planning

Rheem was intentional about embedding sustainability into every stage of planning for the Pro Partner International Conference. From the start, one reason we chose Mandalay Bay as our venue was because its industry-leading sustainability initiatives, including energy efficiency, water conservation, and zero-waste goals, aligned closely with our own values. Throughout the event, we prioritized eco-conscious choices—such as providing attendees with reusable water bottles and strategically placing refill stations to reduce single-use plastics. We also opted for digital LED signage, which reduced waste often caused by large, printed banners and materials, and launched our Digital Hub, a post-conference microsite designed to share presentations, photos, and resources without relying on printed handouts. These efforts, among many others, demonstrate Rheem’s commitment to reducing our environmental footprint while creating a meaningful, forward-thinking event experience.

Multi-Trade Strategy & Market Position

For the first time in the event’s history, we emphasized Rheem’s multi-trade strategy, sharing our vision to push innovation across water heating and HVACR, in both products and loyalty programs. Rheem holds a unique position in the market as a manufacturer of both HVAC and water heating solutions. That combined expertise allows us to support contractors no matter where they are—whether they’re focused on a single trade or expanding into new ones. From plumbers adding HVAC to their portfolio to HVAC contractors exploring plumbing, we’re proud to be the partner who can help them grow. The opportunities ahead are exciting.

Unified Pro Partner Program

Rheem is now taking its Pro Partner program to the next level by bringing together the best of both worlds—merging the HVAC industry’s leading loyalty program with our water heating program into one powerful, unified offering. For contractors who serve both HVAC and water heating, this means a streamlined experience with one partner fully invested in helping their business grow. Backed by compelling data showing that homeowners increasingly prefer whole-home solutions, Rheem is innovating to ensure contractors have the tools, resources, and rewards they need to meet that demand. With this new multi-trade program, Rheem is delivering unmatched value, supporting contractors as they expand their services and strengthen customer relationships.

Product Innovations & Heat Pump Momentum

The conference also featured product innovations that improve upon a legacy of performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Attendees were able to hear about our pursuit of excellence in engineering the next generation of products, especially in heat pump offerings. Whether it was on the main stage from our company leadership, various learning sessions, or in the exposition hall, heat pump benefits were a major buzz.

Sustainability Goal Announcement

One further celebration was the announcement of Rheem’s product sustainability goal and line-up of products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50%^[1]—all of which leverage heat pump technology. Trade partners were able to learn from product experts on how this technology works and ask questions about installation, application, and other benefits. From staying ahead with the latest technology to learning how to position products in ways that help homeowners and businesses save on costs and reach their sustainability goals, Pro Partners can deliver even greater value to their customers.

Myth-Busting & Engagement in the Expo Hall

The sustainability booth in the expo hall hosted hundreds of attendees with the mission to dispel heat pump myths and share information about the cold-climate capabilities, dual-fuel opportunities, and new noise-reduction technologies within our current heat pump products. While visiting the booth, attendees were encouraged to commit to promoting these products by signing our pledge wall. These signatures filled the boards hung on the wall, showing the commitment our customers have made to sustainability and energy efficiency.

Lasting Symbol of Commitment

As a symbol of this commitment and waste reduction, the boards were installed in two of our Innovation Learning Centers (ILC) after the conference. Now visitors to the ILC in Lewisville, Texas, and Roswell, Georgia, can see the impact of the conference while attending training sessions on these products and more. These boards serve as a physical reminder to promote sustainable products until we convene for the next Pro Partner International Conference and see how much innovation and progress has been made in the coming years.

Looking Ahead

At Rheem, sustainability isn’t just a talking point—it’s at the very core of who we are and how we operate. The Pro Partner International Conference not only celebrated our customers, products, and programs but also highlighted the ways we are driving real progress toward our sustainability goals. From the innovations in our product lineup to the intentional planning of the event itself, every detail reflected our commitment to reducing environmental impact while empowering our partners to do the same. As we look ahead, we’re excited to continue building on this momentum. For Rheem, sustainability is not a destination—it’s a journey, and Next Starts Now.

^[1] Rheem’s goal is to release by 2025 a line of heating, cooling, and water heating products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% as compared to products available in 2019. Reduction calculations will be based on the products’ use phase emissions only and utilize average emission factors to account for variability in electricity grids. Reduction calculations will not consider upstream or manufacturing impacts, but use phase emissions account for the majority of the products’ impact. At this time, these figures have not been independently verified by a third party.