ASHRAE Global TechCon

An ASHRAE Global TechCon is a Society-level technical conference designed to deliver high-value, regionally relevant education for the HVAC&R industry while reinforcing ASHRAE’s global leadership and impact. Rotating annually among continents including Asia, Europe, MEA, Latin America, and North America the series promotes international knowledge exchange, professional networking, and local engagement. TechCons may feature a mix of calls for presentations or papers and invited speakers based on the steering committee’s preference.

The event is tailored to ASHRAE members and industry professionals in the geographical region alike and is typically held over two and a half days with two to four technical tracks, keynotes, and social events based on the steering committee's preference. Programming is developed by a local steering committee with support from the Conferences and Expositions Committee (CEC), with strong emphasis on local partnerships, sponsorship, and market-appropriate registration fees.

2027 ASHRAE Global TechCon – North America

September 24-26, 2027 | Ottawa, Canada

Learn More

If you are interested in hosting an ASHRAE Global TechCon, please click the link below to submit an interest form.

ASHRAE Global TechCon Interest Form

ASHRAE will schedule an initial consultation with interested regions to discuss an event model that aligns with geographical goals and needs, including budget development, registration management, venue selection, sponsorship strategy and collection, and marketing plans. Following these discussions, ASHRAE and the host region will finalize a formal agreement before planning begins. Questions may be directed to rmchan@ashrae.org.

Conference Programs Staff
Provides oversight of the full technical program and serves as project manager for the call for papers and presentations. Responsibilities include communicating with authors and speakers, ensuring compliance with ASHRAE’s commercialism policy, and providing onsite support for the speaker lounge.

Conference Services Staff
Manages all logistical components of the conference, including venue sourcing and contracting when appropriate, budgeting, registration, marketing, and onsite logistics, while collaborating with the Society Development team to coordinate sponsorship opportunities and partner engagement for the Global TechCon Conference series.

Conference Chair
Provides leadership to the steering committee and oversees its activities, collaborating with ASHRAE staff, Society leadership, and the Conferences and Expositions Committee (CEC) to establish the conference's strategic and operational path

Steering Committee
Guides the overall development of the conference program, including oversight of the call for presentations. The steering committee also supports outreach efforts to identify and engage potential local Global TechCon sponsors and may collaborate with Conference Services staff on selected logistical components as mutually agreed upon during the initial planning process.

Conferences and Expositions Committee (CEC)
Appoints and oversees the steering and scientific committees to ensure the conference aligns with ASHRAE's mission and complies with the CEC Commercialism Policy. A member of CEC, typically assigned based on geographic region, serves as a liaison to provide guidance and support throughout the planning process.

Overview of Criteria for Chapters Bidding to Host a Global TechCon Conference

Hosting a Global TechCon conference is an opportunity for a geographical region to showcase its leadership, professional community, and regional strengths. Those interested in hosting must demonstrate the capacity to support the development of a high-quality, practitioner-focused technical program through local engagement, subject matter expertise, and geographical insights.
The steering committee will lead the development of the Global TechCon technical program, including defining the overall conference theme and identifying relevant tracks and session topics. The committee will curate a forward-looking, innovation-driven program that is globally relevant while remaining regionally adaptable. Emphasis should be placed on real-world applications, such as how ASHRAE standards are applied locally, along with region-specific challenges and solutions. The program should highlight case studies, lessons learned, best practices, and cost-effective, easy-to-apply solutions, recognizing that overly complex or expensive approaches are often impractical and of limited value to practitioners. Content should also reinforce core fundamentals, acknowledging that even experienced professionals may have gaps in foundational understanding. 

Regional Hosting Capacity and Support

Regions seeking to host a Global TechCon should demonstrate a committed volunteer base, strong connections within the  professional and industry community, and the ability to support conference planning and onsite activities. This includes recruiting volunteers, engaging industry leaders, universities, and potential sponsors, promoting the conference through regional networks, and highlighting unique regional technologies, facilities, or expertise that enhance the attendee experience. Host regions should also provide local insights related to venues, cultural considerations, and any factors that may influence event planning, while ensuring the location is accessible to domestic and international attendees and offers an attractive conference environment. During the event, local volunteers may assist with on-site registration support, speaker coordination, room monitoring, and other conference activities as needed. Global TechCon hosts should also demonstrate alignment with ASHRAE's strategic goals of global engagement, technical leadership, inclusivity, and growth in emerging markets. While host regions play a critical role in supporting conference success, ASHRAE retains primary responsibility for budgeting, contracting, vendor management, financial oversight, and overall event risk, unless an alternative arrangement is formally established in advance.

The ASHRAE Global TechCon Experience

Global TechCon conferences are intended to deliver a distinct ASHRAE experience while addressing the unique needs and priorities of the host geographic region. 

ASHRAE will work collaboratively with the steering committee to identify opportunities to engage Society leaders, subject matter experts, and volunteer leadership throughout the conference program. Depending on the event's scope and objectives, participation may include the ASHRAE President delivering a Presidential Address, involvement from members of the Executive Committee (ExCom) or Board of Directors, and contributions from technical experts representing ASHRAE's technical committees, standards, and other Society initiatives.

To ensure Global TechCon conferences remain competitive within their respective markets, conference planning should consider geographic expectations regarding conference format, attendee experience, educational offerings, and registration pricing. ASHRAE and the steering committee should evaluate comparable technical conferences within the region when establishing registration rates, sponsorship strategies, and program offerings, while maintaining the quality and professional standards associated with ASHRAE events.

The goal of the Global TechCon experience is to combine geographics relevance with ASHRAE's reputation, creating events that advance technical knowledge, strengthen industry connections, support professional development, and expand ASHRAE's impact around the world.

Operational Pathways

To ensure consistency, quality, and financial accountability across the ASHRAE Global TechCon series, each conference shall establish an Operational Pathway at the beginning of the planning process. The Operational Pathway serves as a shared planning framework that clearly defines responsibilities, decision-making authority, timelines, financial expectations, and operational processes between ASHRAE staff and the steering committee.

While all Global TechCon events should follow a common operational framework, sufficient flexibility must be maintained to accommodate regional business practices, cultural norms, local market conditions, and the strengths and capabilities of individual steering committees. The Operational Pathway is intended to provide structure without limiting innovation or local engagement.

As an initial step in conference development, the Conference Chair and designated steering committee representatives should meet with ASHRAE staff to establish the Operational Work Plan and Agreement. This discussion should document expectations, identify areas of staff and volunteer responsibility, and determine where flexibility is appropriate. The agreed-upon pathway should be maintained throughout the planning cycle and used as a reference for key operational decisions.

Registration

Registration management should provide a consistent attendee experience across the Global TechCon series while allowing flexibility to meet local market conditions.

Consistent Elements

• ASHRAE will host and manage conference registration using its approved registration platform.
• Registration transactions will be processed and reported through ASHRAE systems.
• Registration fees will be displayed and collected in the local currency whenever practical.
• ASHRAE staff will oversee registration operations, customer service, reporting, and financial reconciliation.

Flexible Elements

• Registration fee structures and pricing strategies may be established jointly by  the steering committee and ASHRAE Staff.
• Registration rates may vary based on local economic conditions, conference objectives, sponsorship goals, competitive market analysis, and target attendee demographics.

Financial Management and Budget Development

ASHRAE retains primary fiscal responsibility for the event, including budgeting, contracting, vendor     management, and financial risk, unless a revenue-sharing agreement is established in advance.

Consistent Elements

• ASHRAE shall develop, maintain, and approve the conference budget.
  Flexible Elements
• The steering committee may participate in budget development, if requested. 

Sponsorship

Sponsorship revenue is a critical component of the financial success of each Global TechCon event. Sponsorship planning should combine the strength of the Global TechCon series brand with the local knowledge and relationships of the host steering committee.

Consistent Elements

• ASHRAE will develop and maintain a Global TechCon series sponsorship prospectus for sponsors interested in supporting multiple Global TechCon events or the overall conference series.
• ASHRAE staff will establish sponsorship revenue goals in coordination with the conference budget and event objectives.
• ASHRAE staff will manage sponsorship agreements, invoicing, payment collection, benefit fulfillment, and sponsor recognition activities.
• ASHRAE will provide guidance on sponsorship policies, pricing strategies, and sponsor benefit standards to ensure consistency across the Global TechCon series.

Flexible Elements

• ASHRAE may develop an event-specific sponsorship prospectus tailored to the goals and needs of an individual conference in partnership with the steering committee.
• The steering committee may assist in identifying sponsorship opportunities that reflect local market conditions and regional interests.
• Steering committee members may lead outreach and relationship development with local sponsors and industry partners.
• Local sponsorship opportunities, such as networking receptions, social events, conference lanyards, attendee gifts, transportation, coffee breaks, or other conference amenities, may be developed and secured by the steering committee in collaboration with ASHRAE staff.
• Sponsorship packages, pricing, and benefits may be customized for local opportunities provided they align with ASHRAE sponsorship policies and overall conference objectives.

The sponsorship strategy, revenue goals, responsibilities, and local sponsorship opportunities should be documented within the Operational Pathway Agreement at the start of the conference planning process. Success in sponsorship development requires active collaboration between ASHRAE staff and the steering committee, leveraging both Society-wide relationships and local market connections.

Marketing and Branding

Marketing efforts should leverage the strength of the Global TechCon brand while allowing regional customization and local outreach.

Consistent Elements

• All conferences shall follow ASHRAE branding standards and Global TechCon brand guidelines.
• ASHRAE staff will develop and coordinate the core marketing strategy, messaging framework, and promotional timeline.
• Conference websites, registration pages, and primary marketing assets shall align with ASHRAE standards and approved branding.

Flexible Elements

• Steering committees may supplement ASHRAE marketing activities through local and regional promotional efforts.
• Marketing channels, partnerships, and outreach strategies may be adapted to regional audiences and market opportunities.

Site Selection and Venue Contracting

Appropriate venue selection is critical to conference success and should be pursued through a collaborative decision-making process.

Consistent Elements

• ASHRAE will provide guidance regarding venue requirements, risk management considerations, and contract review.
• ASHRAE prefers to manage the venue sourcing process and execute hotel, convention center, and venue agreements whenever feasible.
• All venues must meet minimum standards related to attendee experience, accessibility, technical capabilities, and financial risk.

Flexible Elements

• The steering committee may assist in identifying potential venues and local suppliers.
• In situations where local conditions warrant, the steering committee may lead portions of the venue search process in partnership with ASHRAE staff.
• Responsibility for venue sourcing may be adjusted based on regional business practices, local relationships, and the capabilities of the steering committee.
• Alternative approaches may be approved when they provide operational advantages while maintaining appropriate risk management practices.

Onsite Execution

Successful onsite delivery requires clear responsibilities and coordinated support between ASHRAE staff and volunteers.

Consistent Elements

• ASHRAE staff will oversee conference operations, registration management, sponsor fulfillment, financial controls, and attendee services.
• ASHRAE staff will establish standard operating procedures for event execution and attendee experience.
• Conference activities shall comply with ASHRAE policies related to safety, accessibility, commercialism, and professional conduct.

Flexible Elements

• Steering committee members may assist with local logistics, speaker coordination, sponsorship fulfilment, networking activities, and regional stakeholder engagement.
• Volunteer staffing models may vary based on conference size, location, and available local resources.
• Local customs and operational practices may influence aspects of event delivery provided they remain consistent with ASHRAE policies and standards.

Technical Program Development

The technical program is the foundation of every Global TechCon and should maintain ASHRAE's standards for technical quality while allowing flexibility to address geographical priorities and audience needs.

Consistent Elements

• All technical content shall undergo ASHRAE commercialism review.
• Technical program management shall be conducted through approved ASHRAE conference management and abstract-review systems.
• Program development processes shall follow established ASHRAE standards for quality, transparency, and fairness.
• Final technical program approval shall remain consistent with ASHRAE conference governance procedures.
  Flexible Elements
• Steering committees may determine the number of tracks, topic areas, and program themes.
• Conferences may utilize papers, presentations, panel discussions, workshops, posters, roundtables, or other approved formats.
• Program structures may be adapted to reflect regional technical interests, attendee expectations, and market demands.
• The balance between peer-reviewed papers and presentation-only content may vary by conference based on event objectives and audience needs.

Operational Pathway Agreement

At the conclusion of the initial planning meeting, ASHRAE staff and the steering committee should document the agreed-upon operational pathway for the event. This agreement should identify key responsibilities, decision-making authority, financial expectations, sponsorship goals, operational milestones, and areas where flexibility has been approved. The Operational Pathway Agreement should serve as the guiding document throughout the planning and execution of the conference and help ensure alignment between ASHRAE and the steering committee from inception through event close-out. 

Timeline for a Global TechCon

< 18 Month Timeline

To request consideration for hosting a Global TechCon, please complete the ASHRAE Global TechCon Application. Upon receipt, CEC will review the submission and coordinate a follow-up meeting to discuss the request in further detail. For any questions, please contact the staff liaison at rmchan@ashrae.org.

ASHRAE Global TechCon Application