Pictured: ASHRAE 2019-20 President Darryl, K. Boyce, P.Eng., during his inaugural presidential address

Sustainable energy, building performance and refrigeration technologies were just some of the topics of great interest as HVACR professionals from around the world exchanged knowledge at the 2019 ASHRAE Annual Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. More than 1,600 individuals attended this year's conference.

The five-day conference included eight conference tracks, tours, social events and a keynote message from former NASA astronaut and author, Mike Massimino. Technical, standards and standing committee meetings also took place throughout the week to further the development of resources and direct the future of the built environment.

Darryl K. Boyce, P.Eng., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, took office as the 2019-20 ASHRAE president. His theme for the society year, "Building for People & Performance. Achieving Operational Excellence," focuses on overcoming the challenges associated with the efficient operation and performance of buildings by leveraging the latest strategies and innovative technologies to ensure operational success for the people living and working within them.  

"ASHRAE's leadership will be crucial as we employ new strategies for obtaining optimal operational and performance in buildings," said Boyce. "Meetings like our Annual Conference are the ideal place to develop better methodologies from our lessons learned, share best practices and transfer great designs into effective building operations."

The plenary session featured a presentation of awards and honors recognizing the outstanding achievements and contributions of members to the society and the industry. During her State of the Society address, outgoing 2018-19 ASHRAE President Sheila J. Hayter spoke on the society's expanding partnerships through eight recently signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with key organizations. Additionally, updates were given on ASHRAE's new global headquarters design project.

The conference's technical program addressed trends in integrated building design, big data and the process for achieving zero energy office buildings, among other topics. A seminar highlighting ASHRAE's 2019 strategic plan offered a look into the background, implementation and monitoring of initiatives as the society prepares for the plan's upcoming release.

ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI) offered two full-day seminars and eight half-day courses. New courses included the following: Guideline 36: Best in Class HVAC Control Sequences, IgCC and ASHRAE Standard 189.1 Technical Provisions (co-presented with the International Code Council), Effective Presentation for Positive Results, Solar PV and Thermal Systems Analysis and Design, and Laboratory Exhaust Stacks: Safe and Energy-Efficient Design. The new Certified HVAC Designer (CHD) certification exam was also administered during the conference.

The 2020 ASHRAE Winter Conference takes place Feb. 1-5, and the AHR Expo, Feb. 3-5, in Orlando, Florida.