The 2018 ASHRAE Annual Conference technical program, June 23-27, Houston, will provide practitioners with topical, in-depth educational tracks to optimize the design and performance of buildings.

The five-day event includes eight conference tracks, tours, social events and a keynote message from research scientist and author, Dr. Ainissa Ramirez on “Inspiring the Next Generation.”

Additionally, 2018-19 ASHRAE President Shelia Hayter, Fellow ASHRAE, will present the society theme for the coming year during the President’s Luncheon on June 25.

Registration is now open for the conference, which takes place at the Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel and the George R. Brown Convention Center. Early bird registration ends April 30.

“The dynamic and innovative industry of HVACR is a reflection of our ever-changing individual, societal, and global constructs and demands,” Cindy Moreno, chair of the 2018 ASHRAE Annual Conference, said. “The 2018 Annual ASHRAE Conference aims to provide the setting for a meaningful exchange of knowledge and experience, and the technical program looks to enrich that exchange with a broad spectrum of topics and discussion. We welcome you to join us as we share ideas ranging from basic design fundamentals to specific applications and technologies.”

The need to achieve sustainable buildings in hot and humid climates calls for an understanding of the local climate, and integrating appropriate building technologies into the architectural and urban design. A new and anticipated track at this year’s conference, Residential – Modern Building in Hot and Humid Climates, will discuss how modern residential design and building practices can be integrated into hot and/or humid climates with specific challenges ranging from indoor comfort to ventilation and mold.

Another popular design track, District Energy and Cogeneration Plants, will address how the carbon footprint is being minimized by combining resources. This track takes a look at the advantages and limitations, do's and don'ts and best practices of utilizing this type of shared system.

Conference Tracks include:

• HVACR Systems and Equipment
• Fundamentals and Applications
• District Energy and Cogeneration Plants
• HVAC & Resiliency: Safeguarding our World
• Residential – Modern Building in Hot and Humid Climates
• Professional Skills
• Research Summit
• HVACR Control Freaks
• HVACR Analytics

ASHRAE Learning Institute will offer two full-day seminars and eight half-day courses. New courses include: Advance Design for Net Zero Buildings; Latest in High-Performance Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems; Save 30% Complying with Standard 90.1-2013; and Principles and Practices of Thermal Energy Storage Systems for Air Conditioning.

Apply by June 5 to sit for one of six ASHRAE certification exams: Energy Auditing, Energy Modeling, Commissioning, Healthcare Facility Design, High- Performance Building Design and Building Operations.

At this year’s sixth annual Research Summit, an announcement will be made about an exciting collaboration with ASHRAE's archival research publication, Science and Technology for the Built Environment.

Learn more and register for the 2018 ASHRAE Annual Conference at www.ashrae.org/houston