ATLANTA, Georgia, 30 June 2019: Sustainable energy, building performance and refrigeration technologies were just some of the topics of great interest as HVAC&R professionals from around the world exchanged knowledge at the 2019 ASHRAE Annual Conference, from June 22 to 26, in Kansas City, Missouri, ASHRAE said through a Press communiqué. More than 1,600 individuals attended the conference, the communiqué added.

The five-day conference included eight conference tracks, tours, social events and a keynote message from former NASA astronaut and author, Mike Massimino, the communiqué said. The conference also hosted meetings involving the standing committee and on technical standards, with a view to further the development of resources and direct the future of the built-environment, the communiqué added.

Darryl K Boyce, P Eng, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE took office as the 2019-20 ASHRAE President during the conference, the communiqué said. His theme for the Society year, “Building for People & Performance. Achieving Operational Excellence,” focuses on overcoming the challenges associated with the efficient operation and performance of buildings by leveraging the latest strategies and innovative technologies to ensure operational success for the people living and working within them.

“ASHRAE’s leadership will be crucial as we employ new strategies for obtaining optimal operational and performance in buildings,” Boyce said. “Meetings, like our Annual Conference, are the ideal place to develop better methodologies from our lessons learned, share best practices and transfer great designs into effective building operations.”

According to the communiqué, the plenary session featured a presentation of awards and honors, recognizing the outstanding achievements and contributions of members to the Society and the industry. During her State of the Society address, outgoing 2018-19 ASHRAE President Sheila J Hayter spoke on the Society’s expanding partnerships through eight recently signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with key organizations, the communiqué said. Additionally, the conference provided an opportunity to give updates on ASHRAE’s new global headquarters design project.

According to the communiqué, the conference’s technical program addressed trends in integrated building design, big data and the process for achieving zero-energy office buildings, among other topics. A seminar highlighting ASHRAE’s 2019 Strategic Plan offered a look into the background, implementation and monitoring of initiatives, as the Society prepares for the plan’s upcoming release, the communiqué said.

According to the communiqué, ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI) offered two full-day seminars and eight half-day courses during the conference. New courses included: Guideline 36: Best in Class HVAC Control Sequences, IgCC and ASHRAE Standard 189.1 Technical Provisions (co-presented with the International Code Council), Effective Presentation for Positive Results, Solar PV and Thermal Systems Analysis and Design, and Laboratory Exhaust Stacks: Safe and Energy-Efficient Design, the communiqué said. The conference was also an opportunity for administering the new Certified HVAC Designer (CHD) certification exam.

The 2020 ASHRAE Winter Conference, the communiqué said, shall take place from February 1 to 5, and the AHR Expo, from February 3 to 5, in Orlando, Florida.