Here, Experienced and Ready for Business

IAEC attends BOMA expo in Nashville, Tennessee.

The International Association of Elevator Consultants (IAEC), formerly known as the National Association of Vertical Transportation Professionals, for the first time exhibited at the 2022 BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) International Conference & Expo in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 26-27. Executive Director Sheila Swett, President Nick Montesano, Treasurer Tim Marshall, your author and new IAEC member Daniel Lopez manned the booth during the two-day event.

Visitors to the booth’s most common comment was, “I didn’t know this organization existed.” The interest was evident, and supported the decision to promote IAEC. Attending the expo reflects the implementation of IAEC’s strategic planning that includes making efforts to inform industry stakeholders we are here, experienced, ready for business and have the expertise to handle any and every vertical-transportation (VT) issue with which building owners and managers need assistance.

Walking the floor was reminiscent of a National Association of Elevator Contractors exhibition; the number of elevator industry booths was impressive. Fujitec had the most visible presence, with the company name prominently featured on every badge worn. With an estimated 3,400 visitors, there was a stream of foot traffic throughout the day.

VT is a major investment and expense for any multistory building owner. Elevator and escalator consultants serve as industry experts, guiding the new installation, modernization and maintenance and equipment evaluation processes for building owners. Some also provide specialty services, such as passenger traffic simulation or litigation expert witnessing for contract disputes or injury/death cases. Consultants are on the code committees that produce standards for elevators and escalators worldwide.

The number of elevator industry booths was impressive.

Consultants maintain close business relationships with equipment manufacturers, installers, engineers, architects, parts suppliers, maintenance providers and AHJs. Consultants are able to leverage these contacts, achieving more accurate bid pricing, faster equipment delivery and better performance on VT maintenance contracts. They can mediate disputes and solve issues quickly, maintaining healthy working relationships between a building owner and all parties involved.

IAEC elevator consultants have overseen hundreds of VT installations, modernizations and maintenance contracts in all types of buildings. We believe the experience and knowledge that come with these installations are priceless when dealing with any issues arising from architect drawings to final punch lists to maintenance contracts and callback problems. Consultants know the type and duty of equipment required for any building application and the safety codes to which installations and systems must adhere. They can author specifications that restrict highly proprietary elevator systems from being installed and/or write provisions to ensure that other elevator companies will be able to maintain the equipment without special tools or aid from the OEM.

Building owners usually aren’t elevator experts. That is where consultants can help ensure they get good equipment and services for a reasonable price.

The usable life of elevator and escalator equipment will depend on the quality of the equipment, how it was originally installed, when it was modernized and how it is maintained. Consultants know the key factors in these four areas and can put into motion a plan that utilizes best practices to ensure a client’s elevators and escalators have a long and safe life of service.

With many industry companies in one place, meeting old friends and making new ones was your author’s pleasure. In these travels around the showroom floor, pictures of elevator contractors, consultant groups and even labor were taken and are provided here for ELEVATOR WORLD readers.

IAEC looks forward to exhibiting at BOMA regional expos and the international event again, continuing to grow IAEC and provide building owners and managers the advantage of knowledgeable consultants in the unique and complicated VT space.