ASHRAE takes annual conference online

USA: ASHRAE’s 2020 Annual Conference scheduled to take place in June in Austin, Texas, will now take place online.

Responding to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference will now take the form of a four-day live virtual event at a significantly reduced registration fee of just $99.00 for ASHRAE members and $329 for non-members (includes an annual ASHRAE membership).

ASHRAE says its 2020 Virtual Conference is structured to allow participants from all over the world to take advantage of its strong technical content. This will include over 90 technical sessions, updates from ASHRAE leaders, and virtual networking events. 

Technical sessions will be available starting June 22, with conference activities and additional live sessions addressing the latest information relating to the COVID-19 pandemic taking place daily starting June 29 and continuing through to July 2. 

During the weeks leading up to the conference, ASHRAE will also conduct online versions of the business and technical meetings that typically are held during its onsite annual conference.

“While we realise that there is no substitute for the special level of interaction that face-to-face conferences provide, we are excited to present this unique format for our members to interact, collaborate and learn,” said ASHRAE president Darryl K Boyce. “The unprecedented challenges of this year’s pandemic have afforded us a great opportunity to further our reach and level of engagement in a meaningful way to professionals from across the globe.”

Content

Delegates will have access to 12 live technical sessions with live Q&A; an on-demand technical programme of some 90 sessions; scheduled live video chat sessions with speakers from on-demand sessions; downloadable copies of all conference papers; ASHRAE Leadership Moments each day from ASHRAE leaders and virtual networking happy hours.

“The traditional tech-heavy and diverse topics of the onsite technical programme is maintained and enhanced by interactive elements and sessions suited for the virtual environment and a worldwide audience,” said Bing Liu, conference chair. “Literally hundreds of opportunities will be in place for attendees to interact with speakers during the Q&A session via a live chat with session speakers. Every day the virtual conference will feature several live sessions to highlight hot topics and COVID-19 related topics as well. Industry professionals have a wide-range of choices of sessions to select from in tracks on resiliency, zero energy buildings, residential, the grid, fundamentals, equipment and professional development.” 

Additionally, incoming 2020-21 ASHRAE president Chuck Gulledge, will present ASHRAE’s theme for the coming year, the ASHRAE Digital Lighthouse and Industry 4.0. 

Professional development hours can be earned for all on-demand sessions and 12 live sessions upon successfully completing a short quiz. Registration includes access to all the technical content on-demand for 18 months. Company packages are also available.

Conference registration is now open at ashrae.org/2020virtual.