Chicago a hit for ASHRAE and AHR Expo
7th February 2018
USA: This year’s ASHRAE Winter Conference and AHR Expo in Chicago have been confirmed as record breaking events.
Preliminary figures just released reveal that the AHR Expo attracted more than 70,000 visitors, a 6% increase over last year’s record-breaking event held in Las Vegas. At the same time, the attendant 2018 ASHRAE Winter Conference was one of the largest ever with more than 3,200 registrants.
The AHR Expo, held from January 22-24 at McCormick Place, included more than 2,100 exhibitors, 37 more exhibitors than 2017, in a total space of 530,000ft² (49,000m²).
“The Winter Conference and AHR Expo are prime opportunities for attendees to stay on top of the latest information and technology needed to work toward a more sustainable world,” said 2017-2018 ASHRAE president Bjarne W Olesen. “Lessons learned at the conference have a direct impact on the success of our industries and affords us the opportunity to extend this knowledge around the world.”
At the conference, Olesen provided Society updates and initiatives related to his presidential theme, “Extending Our Community.” He focused on acknowledging interconnectedness worldwide and embracing shared needs and objectives.
As part of ASHRAE’s global outreach initiative, the Associate Society Alliance meeting brought together members and representatives from 60 HVAC associations from around the world. ASHRAE also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Italian association (AiCARR).
“Collaboration is crucial as we seek new ways to make buildings safe, healthy, productive and comfortable environments,” said Olesen.
The ASHRAE plenary session, drawing more than 1,000 people, provided a forum for the presentation of awards to experienced and emerging leaders in the industry. Keynote speaker Debbie Sterling, founder, and CEO of GoldieBlox, closed the session with an empowering presentation on closing the gender gap in STEM fields.
The 2018 ASHRAE Annual Conference will take place in Houston from June 23-27. The 2019 Winter Conference will be held from January 12-16 in Atlanta, alongside the 2019 AHR Expo which takes place from January 14-16.
