Written by: Chloe Pool, Marketing Manager
Recently, I was on the phone with the one and only Chelsea Yordy (Publisher of The Driller/ BNP Media) – one of those calls that starts with a quick check-in and ends an hour later with both of us laughing, throwing out ideas, and probably (most definitely) solving a few world problems along the way. (If you have been around the geothermal HVAC world for long, Chelsea Yordy needs no introductions. If you are new to this industry, make sure you find a way to meet her! You won’t regret it.)
We were talking about the recent geothermal HVAC trade show we’d both attended. You know the one – great turnout, agenda, and best of all, great humans. Something that only Christine Hoffer (NY- GEO) or Sally Stephens (IGSHPA) could put together.
Somewhere between a shared love of field install photos and a half-joking comment about starting a “geothermal taco hour,” we paused.
“We already have so many fun people in our industry. What if we made fun a part of the agenda?” she asked. “Not just dinner meetings and early flights, but real, memory-making fun. Rooftop hangouts. Bowling nights in tiny towns we’d never visit otherwise.”
Then she paused, laughed, and said,
“Okay, so… Brock and I already kind of have a name for this.” Then she shared the best name for an industry social club where fun is the only agenda.
What is it, you ask? Well, my friend, you have to wait and see.
But suddenly, I felt possessed – possessed by fun, possessed by the idea of having fun with amazing people in the industry. Without missing a beat, I opened Canva.
Found the most joyful font I could.
Created a brand concept in glowing neon letters.
Added clipart of a boombox, a disco ball, a piñata, and – obviously – a gold-rimmed martini glass.
I exported the file. Uploaded it to Tervis. And before I even finished my coffee, I had a tumbler rocketing across the country to Chelsea Yordy.
It was a joke. And it was completely serious.
Here’s the deal: when you have a great industry that has a great cause, it attracts great people. And you just can’t help but want to enjoy the company of great people.
So, why?
Why is this particular corner of the professional world so life-giving, while others feel so transactional and tiring?
Here’s what I’ve come to believe:
The people who find themselves in hydronic and geothermal HVAC are here for a reason. And not just any reasons… They are here for the right reasons.
And it usually comes down to one (or all) of these three things:
1. They’re Builders – in the Truest Sense
Not just of systems, but of futures. These are the folks who get up in the morning because they know their work matters. They’re shaping the infrastructure of tomorrow – quietly, steadily, and with intention. When you believe in what you’re building, you bring your full self to the table. And that full self? Usually brings snacks, jokes, and extra zip ties.
2. They Genuinely Value People
This industry attracts folks who care – about the crew they work with, the customers they serve, and the communities they impact. Relationships aren’t just a byproduct of the job – they’re part of the purpose. You’ll find pros who remember your name, ask about your family, and follow up just to lend a hand. In a world that can feel impersonal, this corner of it feels deeply human.
3. They Thrive Where Curiosity and Grit Collide
Geothermal and hydronics aren’t easy. They require creative problem-solving, hands-on know-how, and the stamina to figure out what others won’t touch. This field attracts learners – people who ask better questions, stay late to get it right, and celebrate the small wins along the way.
And when you gather people like that in one place – at a trade show, on a jobsite, around a bar-height table with shared appetizers and stories – you can’t go back.
The HVAC industry – especially the geothermal and hydronic corner of it – isn’t just full of experts. It’s full of good humans. People who offer help before being asked. Who swap tips, share tools, and show up early to lend a hand. People who build networks not to climb, but to connect.
And that’s what makes this field feel like home.
That’s why Chelsea Yordy is creating a space for fun that isn’t a joke – it’s going to happen (right Chelsea?)
So if you ever find yourself walking into a new city with a rolling case and a curious heart – know this:
There’s probably someone nearby from the geothermal world, happy to talk shop, talk life, or talk you into one more round of chips and salsa.
And if you’ve got your Tervis, you already belong. (Don’t worry, Brock, I’ll send you one soon.)
