Potential presenters are invited to submit proposals for panel and seminar sessions (60 or 90 min):

• Panel: 3-4 industry experts, including one moderator, on a current topic of interest or team case study. Only one slide deck per panel required.
• Seminar: 2-4 speakers and session Chair, on one of the conference topics. Individual slide decks for each speaker required.

Please note that presentation slots are very limited and selection will be based on a peer review process.

Topic categories include:

Subtopics are provided as examples, but submissions can include additional related subtopics. The conference is only accepting abstracts for full sessions. If you have an individual session, but are unable to find a group to present with, you can fill out a speaker interest form and you will be contacted if your topic is a fit for an existing session.

Presentation proposals are due February 14th, 2025 and acceptance notifications will be sent in March.

Click here to submit a proposal

Registration Opens May 26^th 2025

In-person Conference registration includes the following:

• On-site Access to Technical Program from October 22-24, 2025.
• Interactive Conference App: ASHRAE 365.
• Welcome Reception on Tuesday evening, October 21, 2025.
• Networking Reception on Thursday evening, October 23, 2025.
• Light Breakfast, Lunch and Coffee Breaks Wednesday, October 22 and Thursday, October 23.
• Light Breakfast and Coffee Breaks on Friday, October 24.
• 12-month access to ALL recordings of conference sessions including Keynote Presentations.

On-demand (Virtual) Conference registration includes the following:

• 12-month access to ALL recordings of conference sessions including Keynote Presentations.
• Interactive Conference App: ASHRAE 365.

ASHRAE is pleased to offer travel grants for students and emerging professionals to attend the 2025 Building Decarbonization Conference. The conference will be held October 22-24, 2025 in Chicago, IL. 

The awards will cover: 

• The cost of registration for all awardees
• $1,000 USD to subsidize airfare, ground travel, and lodging for awardees traveling from out of town

Applications are due June 28, 2025.  

The Scholarships will be awarded in partnership with the ASHRAE Illinois Chapter. 

Eligibility 

Recipients must be either:

• a full-time undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an accredited college or university  during the Fall 2025 term, in a course of study that traditionally has been a preparatory curriculum for the HVAC&R profession
• a practicing professional in the built environment industry, who graduated from a University in 2022 or later.

What’s Covered

• Free conference registration, and
• For recipients requiring travel to attend the conference: Up to $1,000 USD to subsidize the costs of:
  • Hotel room costs for the duration of the conference.
  • Travel: airfare and ground transportation to the conference.

How to Apply

• Fill out our APPLICATION FORM HERE
• You will be asked to provide:
  • ASHRAE membership number (membership is not required but provide if you have one)
  • A letter describing your background and motivation for attending the conference (up to one page)
  • CV or Resume
  • Title of your conference presentation or paper (if applicable)
  • Contact information for a faculty sponsor or employer (faculty sponsors or employers may be contacted to confirm eligibility).

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 

• Professional Relevance: How relevant is the conference to the applicant’s background, current work, and future career goals?  
•  Engagement and Leadership Potential: Has the applicant demonstrated prior involvement or leadership in ASHRAE or another organization?  
• Conference Involvement: Is the applicant a presenter for an accepted presentation, or, a major contributor to a presentation, at the ASHRAE 2025 Building Decarbonization Conference?  If not, has the applicant attended or presented at a previous ASHRAE Conferences? 

Earlier application submissions will receive priority.

What Happens if You Receive an Award

Successful applicants will be notified by July 28, 2025.  Awardees will be expected to attend the full conference and participate in conference activities supporting students and emerging professionals.  

Timing

• June 30, 2025 – Applications due by 11:59 pm PST
• July 28, 2025 – Awards announced
• October 22-24, 2025 – Conference Dates

Questions

Direct questions to: Amanda Webb (amanda.webb@uc.edu) and Nancy Kohout (nancy.kohout@smithgroup.com) 

The conference organizers are pleased to offer several sponsorship opportunities to engage industry participation. All sponsors will have their company logo and name on the event flyer, the conference web site and recognition during the conference. A summary of the specific benefits of each sponsorship level is included. If you have questions or are interesting in being a sponsor, please contact Staci Loeffler sloeffler@ashrae.org.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Hotel reservations can be made at the conference hotel

The Westin Chicago River North, 
320 North Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60654

ASHRAE has a block of rooms available at the negotiated group rate of $309 + tax per night.

To make reservations at the group rate click below:

Make Reservations

Room reservations must be made by Tuesday, September 30, 2025 to guarantee availability and the negotiated room rate.

Diamond Level

Platinum Level 

Gold Level

Silver Level

Bronze Level

Lanyard Level

Steering Committee:

Luke Leung, Chair

Carrie Brown, Vice-Chair

Bing Liu

Chris Gray

Amanda Webb

Nancy Kohout

Fiona Martin

Lawrence Kotewa

Benjamin Skelton

Katie Kaluzny

Craig Bradshaw