ASHRAE closes conference: Workforce development to be the focus for upcoming Society Year

The 2024 ASHRAE Annual Conference happened from June 22-26 in Indianapolis. The event gathered 2,040 registered HVAC&R and building science professionals and supporters to discuss topics on legislative initiatives, building decarbonisation and artificial intelligence.

A highlight of the conference was the 2023-24 Decarbonisation Challenge Project Review. Through the Decarbonisation Challenge, introduced by Presidential Member Ginger Scoggins, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, and administered by the Young Engineers in ASHRAE (YEA), the selected chapters were provided grants to assist with the implementation of community-based decarbonisation projects. 

In her final State of the Society address, Presidential Member Ginger Scoggins provided an overview of the accomplishments made during the 2023-24 Society Year. She remarked, reflecting on the past year, that we have made significant strides for expanded decarbonisation of buildings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We wanted to provide an understanding of how climate change affects building planning, design, construction and operation and how building decarbonisation will be necessary to execute projects. I am pleased to say that ASHRAE committed – YOU committed – to equip yourselves with the knowledge and tools needed to design and operate low-carbon buildings. 

The ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI) offered eight courses. The 2025 ASHRAE Winter Conference will be held from February 8-12, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. The AHR Expo will take place during February 10-12, 2025.

2024-25 ASHRAE Society President

M. Dennis Knight, P.E., BEMP, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, was installed as 2024-25 ASHRAE Society President. Knight introduced ASHRAE’s new Society Year theme, “Empowering Our Workforce: Building a Sustainable Future.” 

He said, “Over the last several years, we accepted the challenge of being vital players in addressing the most severe threats to our planet in our lifetimes: The COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis. Our industry is facing a crisis. One that will hinder our ability to meet the challenges we have accepted, the targets we have set and the commitments we have made. That crisis is with our workforce – or more appropriately, the lack of skilled people like you who have the capability and desire to choose a career in HVACR. The truth is, we need more people like YOU. Your skills, your passion and your commitment are what will drive our industry forward and ensure its viability for years to come.”

Knight emphasises, “We all want to be involved in a career that we can be passionate about and where we can find meaning and purpose. We need to demonstrate to the world what we do and the impact that our industry is making and is capable of producing in the future to address climate change. Together, we can grow the ranks of committed and passionate professionals and shape the future of our industry and our planet.”

Knight’s theme highlights the emergence of new technologies in the HVAC&R and building sciences and how ASHRAE will play a pivotal role in ensuring the workforce remains adaptive and forward-thinking. He says, “Today, rapidly changing technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are transforming the building science industry and presenting numerous career opportunities. By strategically leveraging the power of technology alongside the power of human creativity, both experienced professionals and new talent can collaborate to drive progress within our entire industry. Every ASHRAE member can be a messenger and an ambassador.”

Knight has held various positions on the ASHRAE Board of Directors, including president-elect, treasurer, vice president, and director-at-large. He has received several awards, including the ASHRAE Distinguished Service Award, Exceptional Service Award, Regional Service Award, and the ASHRAE Research Promotion “Top Dog” Award. Knight, founder of Whole Building Systems, LLC in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, has five decades of experience in high-performance building design, construction, operation, and maintenance. He lectures globally and has authored numerous publications on technical topics, teaching courses on BIM, integrated building design, energy management, and more.