ASHRAE concluded its 2026 Annual Conference, held June 27–July 1 in Austin, Texas, bringing together more than 2,233 registered HVAC&R and building science professionals from around the world for five days of technical learning, collaboration and leadership. The conference featured discussions on today’s most pressing industry challenges, including data center cooling, cybersecurity, dehumidification system design, indoor environmental quality, commissioning and other emerging topics shaping the built environment.
More than 100 technical sessions were presented across eight conference tracks, giving attendees opportunities to exchange ideas, explore new technologies and gain practical insights. Among the most popular in-person sessions were:
- A Completely Waterless Two-Phase Cooling Architecture for Megawatt-Scale AI Data Centers
- Designing HVAC Systems for Data Centers
- Agentic AI Framework for Building Energy Simulation and Operation
- A2L Refrigerants in Data Centers: Issues, Strategies, and Future Trends
- Fluid Quality Monitoring and Maintenance in Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling: Differentiating TCS and FWS Requirements
Registration remains open for on-demand virtual access to conference content, including technical session quizzes and Professional Development Hour (PDH) certificates.
The conference also marked the beginning of a new Society year as Sarah E. Maston, P.E., BCxP, LEED AP, assumed the role of 2026–27 ASHRAE President. During her inaugural address, Maston introduced her presidential theme, “Changing the Game: Retrofitting for Resilience,” challenging the industry to work together to improve the performance, efficiency and resilience of existing buildings.
“We need to figure out how team ASHRAE, with its wealth of knowledge and educational offerings, can help create a game plan to make existing buildings more efficient, healthy and resilient,” said Maston. “This year we are going to focus on codes, technical guidance and building our team.”
As part of her vision for the year, Maston emphasized the role of interactive learning in preparing the next generation of building professionals. She announced the launch of ASHRAE HVAC Hero, an educational video game that places players in the role of a facility manager responding to maintenance challenges while improving building performance. Players explore building systems, apply ASHRAE Standards and Guidelines and compete to reduce energy use and carbon emissions through informed decision-making. ASHRAE HVAC Hero was made possible through the support of premier donor, Daikin, along with sponsors, Vertiv and the ASHRAE Foundation.
Maston’s inaugural presentation, remarks and ASHRAE HVAC Hero are available at ashrae.org/president.
Another conference milestone was the introduction of ASHRAE Vision 2035, a long-range framework designed to guide the Society’s volunteer leaders and Strategic Plans through 2035. The vision establishes a shared direction for advancing ASHRAE’s mission while addressing the evolving needs of the built environment.
Vision 2035 focuses on five strategic areas:
- Personalized and Resilient Environments
- Regenerative Development
- Human-Centered and Equitable Design
- Intelligent Building Lifecycle
- Low Carbon and Circular Built Environments
The conference also celebrated the accomplishments of ASHRAE members during the Society’s annual Honors and Awards program. Outgoing President Bill McQuade, P.E., CDP, Fellow ASHRAE, LEED AP, delivered his final State of the Society address, reflecting on the progress made during his Society theme, “Healthy Buildings: Designing for Life.”
“Over the past 12 months, I have been proud to see ASHRAE embrace our Society theme, “Healthy Buildings: Designing for Life,” said McQuade. “The goal was to elevate Indoor Environmental Quality, or IEQ, to the same level of attention our industry already gives to energy efficiency, decarbonization, and refrigerant transition. There is real interest in working together to improve IEQ in both new and existing buildings, and many see ASHRAE as the organization best positioned to convene partners, coordinate efforts, accelerate guidance, and avoid duplication.”
The ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI) complemented the conference with 10 professional development courses designed to help attendees expand their technical expertise. The most highly attended courses included:
- Guideline 36: Best of Class HVAC Control Sequences
- Basic Concepts for Demystifying Dehumidification
- Understanding Design and Installation Requirements for A2L Refrigerant Systems
All registered conference attendees, both in person and virtual, will continue to have access to the conference platform and recorded content for 12 months following the event.
The 2027 ASHRAE Winter Conference will take January 23 – 27, 2027 in Chicago. The AHR Expo will be held January 25-27, 2027.
