ASHRAE NYC Chapter - September 2026 
President's Message
Dear ASHRAE NYC Members, Friends, and Volunteers,
Welcome back after the summer break. I hope everyone had a chance to rest, recharge, and enjoy some time with family and friends.
The ASHRAE New York City Chapter has fully transitioned into the new Society Year, and I am very pleased to welcome the many new volunteers who have stepped forward to support our Chapter. We have an exceptionally strong team this year, and I am excited about what we will be able to accomplish together as we celebrate 115 years of ASHRAE New York City.
We are starting the year with great momentum. Last month, our volunteers organized several wonderful community events, including the ASHRAE NYC Bike Ride and the Women in ASHRAE picnic. Thank you to everyone who helped make these events possible. They are a great reminder that our Chapter is not only about technical programs and professional development, but also about friendship, belonging, and the volunteers who make this community feel like one big family.
Climate Week is also here, and we have many more programs, networking opportunities, technical events, and community initiatives in the works for the months ahead.
Most importantly, this Chapter begins with you. Your involvement, ideas, and feedback are extremely important to us. If there is anything you believe we can improve, whether it relates to events, communications, committees, membership, or any other area of Chapter operations, please feel free to contact me directly at [email protected]. I am always happy to hear from you.
Thank you to everyone who has volunteered, participated, shared feedback, and stayed connected. There is a great deal of energy throughout ASHRAE New York City right now, and I look forward to a productive, meaningful, and exciting year together.
With gratitude,
Lukasz A. Semla
President, 2026–2027 Society Year
ASHRAE New York City Chapter
President's Report
The ASHRAE New York City Chapter has fully transitioned into the 2026–2027 Society Year, and we are beginning the year with strong energy across our committees and volunteer teams.
Our September Chapter Dinner Meeting will take place on September 30 at Club 101, and we are honored to welcome Bill McQuade, who served as ASHRAE Society President during the 2025–2026 Society Year, as our special guest and speaker. Registration is now open, and tickets are available through our website.
Ahead of the dinner meeting, we will also be engaging with government officials to discuss how our industry and community can help prevent future Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks in our region. This is an important issue for New York City, and we look forward to contributing our technical knowledge and expertise to the conversation.
Behind the scenes, we have been working to strengthen how the Chapter operates and communicates. Most of our committees now have dedicated @ashraeny.org email addresses, making it easier for members to connect directly with the right team. These addresses can be found in the Contact Us section of this newsletter and on our partially updated website.
Our Marketing Committee has also grown, and the team will be working on modernizing our website, expanding our social media presence, and improving how we communicate with members and the broader community.
We have completed the transition of our LinkedIn presence from a personal profile to an official organizational page, giving members and followers a better way to connect and interact with the Chapter. In addition, our newsletter database has been refreshed and inactive email addresses have been removed. To make sure you continue receiving Chapter communications, please remember to keep the email address in your profile at ashrae.org up to date. Whenever possible, consider including a personal email address, especially if your company email may change when you move to a new position.
More initiatives are in the works, and we look forward to sharing additional updates throughout the year. Thank you for your ongoing support!
Upcoming Events
Save the Dates: 2026–2027 Chapter Dinner Meetings
We’re excited to welcome our members and guests back to Club 101 in Manhattan for our 2026–2027 ASHRAE New York City Chapter Dinner Meetings.
Please save the following dates:
- September 30, 2026 — September Chapter Dinner Meeting
- October 27, 2026 — October Chapter Dinner Meeting
- November 17, 2026 — November Chapter Dinner Meeting
- January 28, 2027 — January Chapter Dinner Meeting
- February 23, 2027 — February Chapter Dinner Meeting
- March 30, 2027 — March Chapter Dinner Meeting
- April 27, 2027 — April Chapter Dinner Meeting
- May 25, 2027 — May Chapter Dinner Meeting
All meetings are currently planned to take place at Club 101 in Manhattan. Additional information, including speakers, topics, registration links, and event details, will be announced throughout the Society Year.
SEPTEMBER CHAPTER DINNER MEETING: SOLVING THE NEW YORK CITY LEGIONELLA CRISIS: A SOURCE-TO-TAP APPROACH TO LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE PREVENTION
Register here for the September 30, 2026 Chapter Dinner Meeting:
https://ashraeny.org/meetinginfo.php?id=327
Our chapter is pleased to welcome ASHRAE Presidential Member and Past President Bill McQuade for a timely program examining the relationship between building systems, water quality, and occupant health. With recent Legionnaires’ disease cases and outbreaks highlighting the importance of effective water management, this program will bring together perspectives from building engineering, water system science, and public health.
Mr. McQuade will discuss the critical connections between source water, municipal distribution systems, building plumbing, HVAC equipment, and occupant practices, along with practical measures building owners and operators can consider to manage risk. David Bowcock will explore the ecology and movement of Legionella through water systems, including the role of municipal water infrastructure and events that can affect conditions within buildings.
The program will also feature Mr. Cline of the Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires’ Disease, who will discuss recent NYC water testing, observations from the 2026 outbreak, and the organization’s “Source-to-Tap” approach to prevention. The speakers will highlight current practices in water management, testing, monitoring, and staff training, as well as relevant ASHRAE standards and guidelines.
This program offers an opportunity for engineers, building owners and operators, facility professionals, public-sector representatives, and others interested in building health and water safety to gain a broader understanding of the issues and approaches shaping Legionella risk management today.
We look forward to seeing you at Club 101! Register here:
https://ashraeny.org/meetinginfo.php?id=327
Climate Week NYC
Join ASHRAE colleagues during Climate Week NYC!
As a member of the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air, ASHRAE is helping advance the global conversation around the essential connection between healthy indoor environments, human health, and climate action. We invite members to represent our community at upcoming events focused on the built environment and healthy air.
September 22 | 6:00–8:00 p.m. | Daikin’s New York Office
IWBI's Climate Week Reception
Join the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the organization behind the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air, for an evening reception connecting building health, sustainability, and climate leaders.
This event offers an opportunity for ASHRAE members to connect with colleagues and leaders working to advance healthier indoor environments and a more sustainable built environment.
September 23 | 9:45am–1:00 p.m. | Midtown NYC
Inside Climate-Ready Buildings: Insights from U.S. Schools in a Global Context
Hosted by Attune, this event brings together leaders from education, government, research, and the built environment to explore what schools can teach us about creating healthier, more resilient buildings, and how those lessons can inform action across sectors and geographies. The Inspired Air Fund is also hosting a special lunchtime session focused on NYC schools.
Learn more about the Attune event
Learn more about the Inspired Air Fund
September 24 | 9:00am–12:00 p.m. | United Nations Headquarters
Healthy Indoor Air in Schools: Every Breath Shapes Learning
This United Nations High-Level Side Event will explore the importance of healthy indoor air in schools and its connection to learning and well-being. The event features H.E. Milojko Spaji, Prime Minister of Montenegro, and is hosted by the Governments of France, Montenegro, and Eswatini. Organized by Air Club and the Montenegrin Institute for Advanced Innovation, the event offers an opportunity to engage with global leaders on healthy indoor air.
USGBC Climate Week NYC Events
ASHRAE members may also want to explore the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Climate Week NYC programming, which includes events, educational sessions, and networking opportunities focused on sustainable and resilient buildings and communities. These events offer a good opportunity to connect with professionals across the broader green building and sustainability community and engage in timely conversations about climate action and the built environment.
https://www.usgbc.org/
https://www.usgbc.org/
We hope ASHRAE members attending Climate Week and UNGA Week will join us in demonstrating the HVAC&R community’s leadership in creating healthier, more sustainable, and resilient indoor environments. Climate Week NYC 2026 runs September 20–27 and coincides with the UN General Assembly High-Level Week.
Building Energy Exchange Climate Week Events:
BE-Ex WISE Women in Waste: Turning Trash into Opportunity
September 24 | 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Join WISE for an evening with women leaders from across the sustainability industry as we explore what it will take to shift how the world sees waste. Through presentations and a moderated discussion, we’ll examine how to shift the perception of waste from an unavoidable cost to a valuable asset, what it will take to move circular solutions beyond pilot projects, and the conditions needed to drive broader adoption. A networking session followed by a live Q&A will commence after!
ASHRAE NYC Mentorship Program
Become a mentor, become a mentee! ASHRAE NYC is organizing a Mentorship Program. Selected participants will be paired into reciprocal mentorship matches based on complementary goals and skills and will engage in live virtual sessions featuring meaningful 1:1 and group discussions on topics such as goal setting, professional presence, navigating career challenges, and more. Matches are reciprocal, and all participants are expected to derive value irrespective of seniority.
The session's timeline:
· Session 1: Thursday, October 15
· Session 2: Thursday, October 22
· Session 3: Thursday, November 5
· Session 4: Thursday, November 19
· Session 5: Thursday, December 3
We will also be hosting a Happy Hour and celebration for the cohort on Tuesday, October 6th.
If you are interested, please sign up to receive an application!
To sign up please use the following link: Interest Form Sign Up
Upcoming ASHRAE Conferences
Conferences:
2026 Building Decarbonization Conference in Seattle, WA on Sep 23-24, 2026
Young Leadership Weekend 1.0 & YLW International
YLW 1.0 in Minneapolis, MN on Nov 5-8, 2026:
International YLW in Cairo, Egypt on October 23-25, 2026:
ASHRAE Data Center and AI Integration Conference in Dallas, TX, March 3-5, 2027:
Winter Conference in Chicago on Jan 23-27, 2027 & AHR Expo in Chicago Jan 25-27, 2027:
https://www.ashrae.org/conferences/2027-winter-conference
2027 Women Symposium in Baltimore, MD on Apr 12-13, 2027:
https://www.ashrae.org/conferences/topical-conferences/2027-women-in-ashrae-leadership-symposium
Summary of Last Month's Events
Thanks to all of you who attended our last month's events!
August 16th - Sports Events Committee: Open Streets Bike Ride in Manhattan
On August 16, the ASHRAE NYC Sports Events Committee organized a community bike ride through Manhattan as part of NYC DOT’s Summer Streets program. The event brought members together outside of our traditional meetings for a fun and active morning while enjoying car-free streets across the city. Thank you to everyone who joined us and to the Sports Events Committee for organizing the ride. We look forward to creating more opportunities for our members to connect through sports, wellness, and community activities throughout the year.
August 26th - Picnic in Central Park: BEex x Women in ASHRAE
With cooler weather just around the corner, we were lucky to enjoy some August sunshine at the WISE (Women in Sustainability and Energy) and Women in ASHRAE Picnic in Central Park. Hosted together with BE-Ex, the picnic brought members of our communities together for a relaxed evening of conversation, networking, and connection outside of the usual professional setting. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make it such an enjoyable gathering.
August 19th-22nd - Chapter Regional Conference in Boston (CRC Region 1)
The ASHRAE NYC Chapter was strongly represented at the 2026 Region I Chapter Regional Conference in Boston, with a great group of our volunteers and leaders participating in the business meetings, workshops, and regional discussions. The conference was a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas with other chapters, strengthen relationships across Region I, and bring new ideas back to New York. We are grateful to the ASHRAE Boston Chapter for their hospitality and for hosting a successful CRC, and we thank everyone from the NYC Chapter who attended and represented our community.
More pictures from these events are available on our Chapter's LinkedIn Page. Follow ASHRAE New York City on LinkedIn.
Government Affairs
ASHRAE Past-President Testifies Before NYC Council Health Committee on Legionnaires’ Disease
ASHRAE Past-President William F. McQuade testified before the New York City Council’s Committee on Health regarding Legionnaires’ disease and the critical role of cooling tower management in protecting public health on September 2nd, 2026. The testimony highlighted ASHRAE’s technical expertise and commitment to supporting effective, science-based approaches to Legionella risk management in New York City. Bill will also visit our Chapter and speak at the September Chapter Dinner Meeting on September 30th at Club 101 in Manhattan.
Read the full testimony:
Testimony for New York City Council Health Committee Hearing on Legionnaires’ Disease - 9/2/2026
Register for the event through our website: ashraeny.org
Industry Partnerships
NYC Accelerator Expo | October 14, 2026
The NYC Accelerator Expo will bring together building owners and industry professionals with resources to advance energy improvements and Local Law 97 compliance. The event will feature NYC Accelerator, NYSERDA, Con Edison, NYC DOB, and vetted contractors, consultants, architects, engineers, and financing providers, along with sessions on LL97 compliance, financing, and weatherization.
Registration:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nyc-accelerator-expo-2026-tickets-1998489623261
2026 Greenbuild Conference in New York | October 20-23, 2026:
Greenbuild is coming to New York City this October. Explore fresh perspectives and expert insights that will prepare you to make the most of your time at Greenbuild.
Student Activities
Are you a student interested in HVAC&R, building science, energy, or sustainability? ASHRAE offers a variety of resources to help students learn, connect with the industry, and get involved.
Visit the ASHRAE Student Zone to explore student resources, programs, competitions, scholarships, and opportunities available through ASHRAE. More updates and opportunities from the ASHRAE NYC Student Activities Committee are coming soon!
https://www.ashrae.org/communities/student-zone
Volunteers of the Month
Nicole is spearheading our new Sports Events Committee and recently organized the ASHRAE NYC Bike Ride during the DOT Open Streets Event. She is also actively involved with Women in ASHRAE and has been helping several other committees across the Chapter. Her next idea is to launch an ASHRAE NYC Run Club, creating another opportunity for our members to connect outside of our traditional programs and events. If you are interested in joining the Run Club or helping organize future sports and community events, please reach out to Nicole here: https://ashraeny.org/sports.
Tristan is co-chairing our Programs Committee and has been working behind the scenes to bring engaging speakers, topics, and strong technical programming to our members. He has had his hands full coordinating our September Chapter Dinner Meeting, working through the many details required to bring the event together and create a valuable experience for attendees. He is also involved with several other committees across the Chapter. Stop by our September Chapter Meeting on September 30th and say hi to Tristan and other volunteers: https://ashraeny.org/meetinginfo.php?id=327
Volunteering for ASHRAE New York City!
Whether you’re looking to take on a leadership role, expand your professional network, give back to the industry, or help shape the future of our profession, there’s a place for you on one of our chapter committees. Bring your experience or build it here. Gain new friends, expand your network. You can really make a difference. Interested in getting involved? Reach out to the ASHRAE NYC Chapter and find the committee that’s right for you.
Sponsors
Our sponsors are more than supporters. They are partners in advancing the HVAC&R profession and strengthening our local engineering community. We are proud to recognize and appreciate their continued investment in the success of our chapter and its members.
Interested in becoming a sponsor and supporting our mission? Please visit the Sponsorship page of our website to learn more about sponsorship opportunities https://ashraeny.org/Sponsorship
Play the New HVAC Hero Game!
Become an HVAC Hero!
Put your HVAC problem-solving skills to the test with "ASHRAE HVAC Hero", a new interactive simulation and training game available through the ASHRAE Society website. Navigate a building, tackle HVAC challenges, and see how many kWh you can save along the way. The game is currently available for PC and Mac computers and is designed to make learning about building performance and energy efficiency a little more fun.
Ready to play? Visit the ASHRAE HVAC Hero page to download the game and give it a try.
https://www.ashrae.org/professional-development/hvachero
Social Media
Please continue to follow on our social media platforms! Our pages are continuously updated with the latest information on events and news articles.
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ashrae-new-york-city-chapter
In Memoriam
We'd like to honor and remember the life of Marvin Mass. Marvin was a member of ASHRAE since 1960, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from ASHRAE, and was the founder of Cosentini Associates. His work included projects around the world, among them the Ford Foundation in New York City, Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, and countless others. Mr. Mass was a long-standing faculty member at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and Yale University’s School of Architecture, and he has guest-lectured at the University of Pennsylvania, Pratt Institute, and Cooper Union. His legacy will live on through ASHRAE and the many people and places touched by his work.
Contact Us @ ASHRAE New York City
Have a question, suggestion, or need to get in touch with the ASHRAE New York Chapter? Would you like to help us create future editions of this newsletter? We’d be happy to hear from you. Please reach out to any of the e-mail addresses below, and we’ll connect you with the right person.
advocacy@ashraeny.org
membership@ashraeny.org