Costa Rica. The tenth edition of Refricon consolidated its position as the main training and meeting space for the HVAC industry in Costa Rica, bringing together more than 350 technicians, engineers, contractors and professionals from the sector at the Wyndham Herradura Hotel.
Organized by Refrimundo, the congress reached a record number of attendance, reflecting the growth and strengthening of the air conditioning industry in the country. What began a decade ago as an initiative that brought together nearly 50 participants has grown into the largest HVAC training event held in Costa Rica.
During the opening of the meeting, Jorge Mario Vargas, general manager of Refrimundo, highlighted the evolution of the sector and the congress itself. "When we started, the question was whether there was enough market for an air conditioning congress in Costa Rica. Today we have the answer," said Jorge Mario Vargas, general manager of Refrimundo, before a packed room during the opening of the event.
International Academic Program
One of the main attractions of Refricon 2026 was its academic agenda, made up of four international speakers who addressed key issues for the present and future of the industry.
The day began with the participation of Eng. Gustavo Fernández, who presented a conference on the transition of refrigerants in commercial HVAC. Subsequently, Eng. Fabio Mendoza Ortiz shared his vision on the development and evolution of intelligent control applied to HVAC systems and critical infrastructure.
In the afternoon session, Eng. Hernan Darío Payome Marentes presented the trends associated with the new generation of VRF systems and their impact on energy efficiency. The academic program concluded with the intervention of Dr. Daniel Suchar Zomer, who analyzed the current economic context and presented recommendations aimed at strategic decision-making for small and medium-sized companies linked to the sector.
Participation of leading brands
The trade show was attended by ten international companies linked to the HVAC industry. Among them were Hisense, Daikin, Aspen Pumps, Innes, Soler & Palau, Italsan, Cooltek, P3 Ductal, Mauro and Diversitech, who presented specialized technologies, products and solutions for attendees.
According to the organization, the participation of these companies reaffirms the commitment of the brands to the development of the Costa Rican HVAC market and to the technical training processes promoted by the sector.
Institutional presence and support for technical training
The Costa Rican Chamber of Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Ventilation (CCRAV) participated in the event with a message addressed to attendees, highlighting the importance of strengthening joint work between companies, professionals and institutions in the sector.
Another highlight of the day was the participation of students and representatives of educational centers linked to technical training in air conditioning and refrigeration. Among the recognized institutions were the Samuel Sáenz Flores School, the National Learning Institute (INA), the Cosvic Vocational Qualification Service Center and the Professional Technical Colleges (CTPS) of the Ministry of Public Education.
The organization highlighted the role played by these entities in the preparation of new generations of HVAC professionals and their contribution to the sustained growth of the industry.
As part of the closing activities, Refrimundo presented the Refricon Training and Certification Calendar 2026-2027, an initiative aimed at offering continuous training throughout the year for technicians and professionals in the sector.
With this program, the company seeks to strengthen specialized training, promote the certification of skills and contribute to the development of a workforce that is increasingly prepared to respond to market demands.
The tenth edition of Refricon highlighted the growth experienced by the HVAC industry in Costa Rica and the interest of professionals in accessing spaces for technical updating, exchange of knowledge and relationship with manufacturers and international specialists.
