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About the event
TBD
Daikin is exploring economist speakers who can provide a broader perspective on the forces shaping the HVAC industry, including current market conditions, construction and manufacturing trends, economic forecasts, emerging sectors, and the potential headwinds and opportunities ahead. The two speakers presented offer complementary approaches, combining economic analysis with relevant industry research to help Daikin and its stakeholders better understand the external factors influencing demand, investment, innovation, and future growth.
Navigator of Economic Disruption | Author | Former Chief Economist
Todd Hirsch is an economist, author, and speaker who helps business leaders understand the forces reshaping markets, industries, and the broader economy.
Known for making complex economic information clear and accessible, Todd combines data, storytelling, and practical interpretation to explain what economic developments mean for organizations making decisions in uncertain conditions. His presentations move beyond reporting statistics to help audiences recognize the relationships between interest rates, inflation, labor markets, construction activity, consumer demand, global trade, and business investment.
Todd previously served as Chief Economist at ATB Financial, where he spent more than a decade analyzing economic conditions and communicating their implications to business leaders, policymakers, and the public. He is also the author of several books examining economic disruption, resilience, adaptability, and the changing nature of work and industry.
His commentary has appeared across major media outlets, and he regularly advises organizations navigating changing markets, shifting demand, and economic uncertainty.
- Speaker Fee: $15,000
- Travel: $2000 flat travel fee to cover RT Airfare, RT Ground, Meals and Incidentals [while traveling], plus Organizer to provide Hotel for up to 2 nights.
"Todd was extraordinary. We loved hearing from him and he delivered exactly what we were looking for. He navigated some tough questions while remaining neutral and positive. We also loved having him spend some time getting to know our group." - The Alliance of Community Association Management
"Todd's perspective on adapting to change and his holistic view of what makes an economy thrive was inspiring to our team. He's a unique and memorable guest speaker whose ability to connect with our audience and leadership team made our session a huge success. I highly recommend Todd for his thoughtful content, clear and energetic delivery, and joyful collaboration." - Renée Francis, Senior Manager, Executive Communications, Finance - Autodesk - San Francisco
Speaker Highlights
Speaker Reel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQTmUsqs5RA
Speaker Profile - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/todd-hirsch
Why Todd for Daikin?
Todd would provide Daikin with a grounded economic perspective on the conditions influencing the HVAC industry without positioning himself as a technical HVAC specialist.
Drawing on more than 30 years of economic experience, he can examine how construction activity, interest rates, inflation, labor availability, supply chains, business investment, and global economic conditions may influence demand for HVAC systems and the manufacturers serving the market.
Todd would conduct targeted research into the HVAC and industrial construction sectors and connect those findings to the broader U.S. and global economic outlook. His strength is helping audiences understand not only what is happening in the economy, but what those developments could mean for business planning, customer demand, investment, and growth.
His presentation can be calibrated for Daikin leadership, customers, channel partners, dealers, distributors, or a broader industry audience once the event objectives are confirmed.
Proposed Topic
The Economic Outlook for HVAC: Construction Demand, Market Headwinds, and the Road Ahead
The HVAC industry is directly connected to some of the most consequential forces moving through the economy: residential and commercial construction, industrial investment, interest rates, labor constraints, energy costs, inflation, supply-chain conditions, and changing business confidence.
In this customized presentation, Todd Hirsch will examine the economic trends influencing the construction and HVAC markets and provide an accessible outlook for what industry leaders should be watching next.
Todd will explore how U.S. and global economic conditions may affect building activity, equipment demand, capital investment, and the competitive environment facing manufacturers. Rather than presenting a generic economic forecast, he will connect the broader economic picture to the practical decisions being made across the HVAC ecosystem.
Audiences will leave with:
- A clear assessment of the U.S. and global economic outlook.
- An understanding of how interest rates and financing conditions may affect residential, commercial, and industrial construction.
- Insight into inflation, labor availability, material costs, and other pressures affecting manufacturers and contractors.
- Perspective on the economic indicators most relevant to future HVAC demand.
- A clearer picture of the potential headwinds and opportunities facing the industry.
- Practical context leaders can use when considering investment, capacity, inventory, workforce, and growth decisions.
Highlights
- Trained economist with more than 30 years of experience.
- Former Chief Economist at ATB Financial.
- Extensive experience translating complex economic developments for business and public-sector audiences.
- Author of multiple books on economic change, resilience, disruption, and adaptability.
- Frequent media commentator on economic conditions and market trends.
- Advisor to businesses, industry groups, government organizations, and nonprofit leaders.
- Known for engaging, story-driven presentations that make economic data understandable and relevant.
- Able to customize his research around construction activity, HVAC demand, manufacturing pressures, and the wider economic environment.
Futurist | Economist | New York Times Bestselling Author | President, Avrio Institute
Dr. Shawn DuBravac is a globally recognized futurist, economist, and New York Times bestselling author who helps organizations understand how economic change, emerging technology, and shifting customer behavior are reshaping industries.
He is the author of Digital Destiny, which examines how the widespread adoption of digital technologies is transforming business, finance, healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, and everyday life.
As President of the Avrio Institute, Shawn advises Fortune 100 and Global 1000 companies, startups, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations on emerging trends, innovation, economic disruption, and long-term strategy.
Previously, Shawn served for more than a decade as Chief Economist for the Consumer Technology Association, the organization behind CES. That role gave him a front-row view into the technologies, business models, and market forces shaping the future of connected products and intelligent systems.
His insights have been featured in outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Financial Times, The Washington Post, Wired, CNBC, Bloomberg, and NPR.
- Speaker Fees -$18,500
- Travel and Expenses - $1,500 flat travel fee to cover all flights/ground transfers/meals/incidentals + hotel accommodations
"Shawn DuBravac works at the epicenter of technology and society...When he talks, I listen." - Doug Solomon, former Chief Strategy Officer at Apple
“We received lots of positive feedback to your presentation and have been thinking of other platforms at the Chamber to invite you back.” - Hilary Crow, Senior Director, Programs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
“...presentation was very well received by our attendees and many of our Informatica executives who were in the audience. I heard nothing but glowing remarks so huge “THANK YOU” for stepping in and working with us to customize your talking points to make it very relevant to our audience and Informatica’s brand.” - Jennifer Jawor, Senior Director, North America Regional Marketing, Informatica
Speaker Highlights
Speaker Profile: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/shawn-dubravac
Speaker Website: https://shawndubravac.com/
Why Shawn for Daikin?
Shawn offers Daikin a future-facing combination of economic analysis, technology foresight, innovation strategy, and manufacturing relevance.
He is particularly well suited to examine how smart-building technologies, connected systems, artificial intelligence, automation, data, changing energy expectations, and new service models may influence the HVAC sector and the manufacturers operating within it.
His presentation would not be positioned as an off-the-shelf HVAC keynote. Shawn has indicated that he would want to understand Daikin’s specific objectives and conduct interviews with relevant leaders or subject-matter experts before developing the final content.
That process would allow him to connect his broader research on economics and emerging technology to the realities of the HVAC marketplace, including customer expectations, product innovation, manufacturing strategy, competitive differentiation, and the evolution of intelligent building systems.
Proposed Topic
The Future of HVAC: Economic Signals, Emerging Technologies, and the Next Era of Manufacturing
The HVAC sector is moving beyond equipment alone. Connected buildings, intelligent controls, automation, artificial intelligence, energy management, changing construction patterns, and new customer expectations are transforming how systems are designed, manufactured, sold, monitored, and serviced.
In this customized presentation, Dr. Shawn DuBravac will explore the economic and technological forces shaping the next era of the HVAC industry.
Drawing on his experience as an economist, futurist, and former Chief Economist for the organization behind CES, Shawn will examine how innovation moves from an emerging idea to a meaningful market shift—and how manufacturers can determine which developments represent lasting change.
The presentation can be informed by interviews with Daikin leaders and industry experts, allowing Shawn to connect global trends with the company’s audience, strategic priorities, and position within the broader HVAC ecosystem.
Audiences will leave with:
- A clearer understanding of the economic and technological forces reshaping the HVAC market.
- Insight into the continued evolution of smart buildings, intelligent controls, connected equipment, and data-enabled services.
- Perspective on how artificial intelligence and automation may influence manufacturing, operations, maintenance, and customer experience.
- A framework for distinguishing durable industry shifts from temporary technology hype.
- An understanding of how changing customer expectations may affect product development and business models.
- Perspective on emerging opportunities for manufacturers to create value beyond the initial equipment sale.
- Practical signals leaders can monitor as they plan for future investment, innovation, and growth.
Highlights
- New York Times bestselling author of Digital Destiny.
- Economist and internationally recognized futurist.
- President of the Avrio Institute.
- Former Chief Economist for the Consumer Technology Association, the organization behind CES.
- Advisor to Fortune 100 and Global 1000 companies, government agencies, startups, and nonprofit organizations.
- Extensive experience examining technology adoption, consumer behavior, innovation, and market disruption.
- Featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Financial Times, The Washington Post, Wired, CNBC, Bloomberg, and NPR.
- Brings an economic lens to artificial intelligence, connected products, automation, intelligent systems, and emerging business models.
- Available for a pre-booking conversation to confirm Daikin’s audience, objectives, and desired level of HVAC-specific analysis.