Reducing the ecological impact of the built environment and integrated design are featured themes in the technical program at ASHRAE's 2018 Winter Conference.

The 2018 Winter Conference takes place Jan. 20-24, at the Palmer House Hilton, Chicago. The ASHRAE co-sponsored AHR Expo will be held in conjunction with the Winter Conference, Jan. 22-24 at McCormick Place.

“The technical program provides attendees with the information they need to reduce the ecological impact of our built environment on the world around us,” says Michael Collarin, chair of the 2018 ASHRAE Winter Conference. “The program features seven program tracks that focus on resources to design, build, control, commission and operate facilities and infrastructure that need to not only be efficient, but resilient.”

The technical program features more than 200 presentations by nearly 300 speakers with tracks on Systems and Equipment; Fundamentals and Applications; Standards, Guidelines and Codes; Earth, Wind & Fire; Tall Buildings; Modeling Throughout the Building Life Cycle; and Heat Exchange Equipment. The full technical program is now available.

ASHRAE is also offering two program “mini-tracks” at the AHR Expo on Monday, Jan. 21. These sessions offer AHR Expo attendee updates on refrigerants and residential buildings. Attendance is free.

In keeping with ASHRAE’s goal of continuing education, Professional Development Hours (PDHs) recognized by most U.S. states, along with AIA LUs and LEED AP credits are available through ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI). ALI will offer 20 courses as well as two full-day, and five half-day seminars during the conference, many of which can be applied toward a professional engineering license. New and updated courses include: Optimizing Indoor Environment: Increasing Building Value; Understanding and Designing Chilled Beam Systems; Designing High-Performance Healthcare HVAC Systems; Complying with Standard 90.1-2016: HVAC/Mechanical; and Humidity Control I and II: Principles & Applications.

Additionally, ASHRAE will offer onsite administration of all six ASHRAE certification exams on Jan. 20 and Jan. 24. The exams being administered include: Building Commissioning Professional (BCxP and CPMP Recertification); Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP); Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP); High-Performance Building Design Professional (HBDP); Healthcare Facility Design Professional (HFDP); and Operations & Performance Management Professional (OPMP). Applications must be submitted by Dec. 20.

Another conference highlight are the tours, some which include Method Home Soap Manufacturing Plant, the Gas Technology Institute (GTI) Lab, The Plant and 340 on the Park. Tours can be reserved for an additional fee during the registration process.

ASHRAE President Bjarne W. Olesen will provide an update on his presidential theme, “Extend” at the President’s Luncheon on Monday Jan. 22. Major contributors to the ASHRAE RP Campaign will also be recognized at this lunch.

The keynote speaker at the opening plenary session on Saturday, Jan. 20 will be Debbie Sterling, Founder and CEO of GoldieBlox, an award-winning company on a mission to “disrupt the pink aisle” with toys, games, and media for girls. Sterling, named TIME’s “Person of the Moment” among other honors, is an engineer, entrepreneur, and one of the leaders in the movement toward getting girls interested in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Take advantage of early bird registration savings. For complete conference and expo information, visit the 2018 ASHRAE Winter Conference and the AHR Expo websites.