U-3ARC U-3ARC Union of Associations of African Actors in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
U-3ARC Union of Associations of African Actors in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

U-3ARC at the 2024 ASHRAE Winter Conference in Chicago

From January 20 to 24, 2024, U-3ARC was represented by its president Madi Sakandé, at 2024 ASHRAE Winter Conference and AHR Expo in Chicago. This year there were plenaries and social events, tours, Student Zone and Ashrae Learning Institute.

Daouda MBaye, journalist

U-3ARC at the 2024 ASHRAE Winter Conference in Chicago

As usual, ASHRAE Conference offered participants a rich meeting from every point of view. The Technical Program's overview of lecture tracks covered a broad spectrum from fundamentals, the basis for understanding applications in engineering, to applications for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technology in controls and equipment HVAC&R, including HVAC&R systems and equipment, refrigeration & refrigerants, decarbonization & climate change, hydronic systems, ventilation, air quality & air distribution systems, comfort, indoor environmental quality & energy efficiency, HVAC&R controls, laboratories, clean spaces & critical facilities, high-rise building design.

For the record, ASHRAE was created as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, through the merger in 1959 of the American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE), founded in 1894, and of the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE), founded in 1904.

U-3ARC President, Madi Sakandé, spoke during the meeting with UNEP and all global Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Associations on the danger of flammable refrigerants in Africa. He then emphasized the importance of a mass awareness campaign beforehand, then the organization of the RAC sector and then the training and certification of technicians.

The debates began with the announcement of ASHRAE's latest activities by its 2023-2024 President, Ginger Scoggins. As for Jeff Littleton, executive vice president of ASHRAE, he shared the secretary's report and announced the recipients of the Distinctions and Awards. Keynote speaker Chris Turner, well-known in Canada for his expertise on climate change solutions and the global clean energy transition, is an author of bestselling books, such as "The Patch: The People, Pipelines, and Politics of the Oil Sands”, “The Leap”, “The Geography of Hope”, or a latest publication, “How to be a climate optimist: plans for a better world”.

A rich and varied program

Punctuated by a rich and varied program, the ASHRAE 2023-24 winter conference began, in relation to plenaries and social events, with a Welcome Party, on January 20 in the early evening, followed by a YEA Hospitality Reception (Young Engineers in ASHRAE) to provide social and networking opportunities. At the Companion Meet & Greet on Monday January 22, then at the Life Member Lunch the next day, as well as at the Members Night Out, it was possible to share ideas on the future of technology and exchange memories and enjoy a special evening of fun with ASHRAE friends. On January 22 at the Women in ASHRAE breakfast, Ginger Scoggins, P.E., 2023-24 ASHRAE President, sat down with DEI consultant Mindy Gulati, founder and CEO of Fundamental Advisory, to discuss industry trends, share experiences and ideas. Mindy answered questions from the audience and facilitated meaningful dialogue among attendees. These are just a few highlights of this very useful meeting for the RAC sector.