2026 ASHRAE Winter Conference

From January 30 to February 3, 23 Cal Poly students and two faculty members attended the annual ASHRAE Winter Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. They attended technical sessions, networked with industry professionals, and explored the AHR Expo, deepening their awareness of the HVAC&R industry. ASHRAE Student Branch officer Anson Chen shares his experiences below.

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Two weeks ago, I attended my second ASHRAE Winter Conference and AHR Expo in Las Vegas. I participated in seminars, panel discussions, networking events, tours, and the AHR Expo alongside other Cal Poly students. I learned about emerging topics in HVAC&R, including the use of ice storage tanks as thermal energy storage and the growing role of AI in the industry. I chose to attend these seminars to deepen my understanding of decarbonization and explore how advancements in AI may impact my future career in the industry. At events such as the Region X Dinner, I connected with both students and professionals to better understand their involvement with ASHRAE and their career paths.

One of the most valuable parts of the trip was attending the AHR Expo Career Panel and participating in the Expo tour, where we gained insight into what it is like to work on the manufacturing side of the HVAC&R industry. The AHR Expo is a large international event where manufacturers from around the world showcase their latest equipment and technology. It was especially interesting to explore a side of HVAC that I am not familiar with, as it broadened my understanding of the industry beyond just design.

Compared to my first time at the conference two years ago as a second-year student, I was able to understand significantly more technical content presented in the seminars after completing HVAC&R coursework at Cal Poly. It was exciting to recognize concepts from class presented at seminars and the AHR Expo. Although I felt overwhelmed during my first conference, it still provided valuable exposure to the industry and helped me understand what knowledge and skills I would need moving forward.

I would like to thank Dr. Jennifer Mott and Professor Lauren Rueda for organizing this incredible opportunity. Attending the ASHRAE Winter Conference was a valuable experience that strengthened my interest in staying involved with ASHRAE as I transition into the industry. I had an amazing time both in and out of the conference. It was my first time being 21 in Las Vegas, so I made sure to visit the Hoover Dam and the fountains at the Bellagio to think about the fluid dynamics that are involved.