This is truly a memorable occasion as we welcome the uniting of two great industry magazines, Distribution Today and HVACR Distribution Business magazine. John Ehlen, a longtime friend and supporter of HARDI and publisher of HVACR Distribution Business, came to us with a proposal to blend the two magazines and to allow them to be the official printed media voice for HARDI. In virtually all aspects, the proposal was too compelling not to give it our full consideration. Throughout the contract negotiations, I can truly say that John and the entire Penton Publications staff have gone out of their way to ensure that HARDI will receive excellent exposure and coverage in every issue of the magazine.

Allow me to highlight a few of the advantages of this agreement:

* Less confusion. To eliminate confusion and to increase HARDI brand exposure, HVACR Distribution Today is renamed HARDI Distribution Today.

* Increased publishing schedule. HARDI Distribution Today will be issued six times per year as opposed to the previous four times.