Huge attendance for 2026 ASHRAE Winter Conference

The 2026 iteration of the conference took place in Las Vegas from January 31 to February 4, bringing together more than 3,800 attendees including HVAC&R leaders, engineers, policymakers and researchers from around the world to examine the intersection of technology, sustainability, health and human experience in buildings.

Topics discussed in over 400 committee meetings and more than 100 technical sessions included low-GWP refrigerants, energy storage, geothermal systems, AI, and occupant-centred design.

Among the most highly attended Winter Conference sessions were:

• The Liquid Revolution: Best Practices in Cooling for Tomorrow’s Data Centers
• AI in Action: A Real World Application of AI for Campus Energy Optimization
• Demystifying GenAI: What HVAC Professionals Need to Know
• Can We Eliminate VAV Zone Reheat During Cooling? Real-World Results Using ASHRAE Guideline 36 Sequences
• AI Optimization and Control of Chiller Plants: Reducing Energy Consumption and Improving Comfort Levels

The concurrent AHR Expo hosted 1,945 exhibitors, including 601 international companies and 186 first-time exhibitors.

Collaborating globally

Leading up to the Winter Conference, ASHRAE renewed memoranda of understanding with 17 organisations, including both US and global bodies. These organisations are from fields including engineering, architecture, public health, energy and standards development:

• AFE, Association for Facilities Engineering
• AIA, American Institute of Architects
• AMCA, Air Movement and Control Association
• ASHE, American Society of Healthcare Engineers
• ASPE, American Society of Plumbing Engineers
• DKV, Deutscher Kälte-und Klimatechnischer Verein
• IAPMO, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, Inc.
• IDEA, International District Energy Association
• IUVA, International Ultraviolet Association
• JSRAE, Japan Society of Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers
• NAFA, National Air Filtration Association
• NASEO, National Association of State Energy Officials
• NSF, National Sanitation Foundation International
• PHVACRS, Pakistan HVACR Society
• SAREK, Society of Air-conditioning and Refrigerating Engineers of Korea
• VISRAE, Vietnam Society of Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Engineers
• BCxA, Building Commissioning Association (new)

What’s next

Looking ahead, the 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference will take place from June 27 to July 1 in Austin, Texas. The 2027 Winter Conference will take place from January 23–27, 2027 in Chicago, Illinois, with the AHR Expo running concurrently from January 25–27.

Images courtesy of ASHRAE

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