In a significant move that reflects the evolving landscape of building sciences, ASHRAE announced an ambitious technical program for its 2025 Annual Conference in Phoenix, with artificial intelligence and climate resilience taking center stage among its 80-plus sessions.
The conference, scheduled for June 21-25 at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown and Phoenix Convention Center, comes at a crucial time when the HVAC&R industry faces unprecedented challenges in sustainability and workforce development.
“This conference is a forum for seasoned experts to share their insights and a launchpad for the next generation of HVAC&R professionals,” said M. Dennis Knight, ASHRAE’s 2024-25 President, emphasizing the event’s dual role in knowledge sharing and professional development.
Among the most anticipated sessions is a deep dive into artificial intelligence’s role in the HVAC industry, reflecting the sector’s rapid technological transformation. The conference will also address pressing environmental concerns through sessions on wildfire protection for buildings and innovative heat recovery solutions for data centers.
The program demonstrates a clear focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, with several sessions dedicated to decarbonization strategies and thermal energy storage. A new course on “Ultra-Low-Energy Buildings and Microgrids Tools for Resilience and Decarbonization” highlights the industry’s push toward greener building solutions.
The conference will mark a leadership transition as Bill McQuade prepares to take the helm as ASHRAE’s 2025-26 President. McQuade will introduce his presidential theme, “Healthy Buildings: Designing for Life,” during the President’s Luncheon, signaling the organization’s continued commitment to human-centric building design.
The conference offers both in-person and virtual attendance options, making it accessible to ASHRAE’s international membership of over 50,000 professionals from 132 nations.
As the building industry grapples with challenges ranging from climate change to workforce retention, ASHRAE’s 2025 conference appears poised to provide crucial insights and solutions for professionals across the HVAC&R spectrum. The comprehensive program reflects an industry in transformation, balancing traditional engineering principles with emerging technologies and environmental imperatives.