Scaling Up: The Next Wave of Building Automation
Automatedbuildings.com is returning to the AHR Expo on February 10-12, 2025 to host Free Industry Seminar Education Sessions on all three days. Join us as we explore the transformative trends shaping the future of building automation as the industry accelerates toward smarter, more scalable, and sustainable systems. With a focus on critical areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud integration, cybersecurity, and decarbonization, these sessions will provide insights for contractors, consulting engineers, facility managers, and all building automation/HVACR enthusiasts on how technology and adaptive strategies can bridge the gap between traditional BAS and emerging demands. This year’s theme “Scaling Up: The Next Wave of Building Automation” invites industry professionals to unlock new levels of efficiency and resilience, empowering their businesses to meet the challenges of an evolving landscape.
View our Agenda of Sessions listed below:
Day 1 | Monday, February 10, 2025
Monday, February 10, 2025
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Room: W309
Scaling Up: The Next Wave in Building Automation
Explore the next wave in Building Automation as AI, cloud solutions, and decarbonization goals drive rapid scaling across the industry. This session addresses the pressing challenges businesses will face in the industry, including staffing shortages, skill gaps, and cybersecurity threats, while offering strategies to adapt and thrive. Attendees will gain valuable insights into emerging trends highlighted throughout the AutomatedBuildings.com educational sessions.
Speakers:
Monday, February 10, 2025
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Room W309
How to Scale Your Talent with Tech
In this session, discover how smart building providers can overcome staffing shortages and scale their operations effectively by leveraging technology. We’ll explore whether investing in better tech, rather than more staff, is the real key to growth. Attendees will learn how cutting-edge solutions are enhancing job efficiency, streamlining workflows, and reducing the need for additional manpower, offering practical strategies to scale their business with fewer resources.
Speakers:
Monday, February 10, 2025
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Room: W309
Controlling Giant Heat Pumps: How it Can Go Wrong and How to Make it Go Right
Large heat pumps play a crucial role in modern HVAC systems, but controlling them effectively presents unique challenges. This session dives into common control failures, their consequences, and how to avoid them. Through real-world case studies, we’ll explore how proper commissioning and advanced controls can turn setbacks into successes. Attendees will also gain insights into adapting to the rapidly changing landscape of equipment electrification and staying ahead of this critical paradigm shift.
Speakers:
Monday, February 10, 2025
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Room: W309
Cyber Security and Zero Trust in BAS
In an era of escalating cyber threats, securing Building Automation Systems (BAS) has become a top priority. This session offers expert insights from the Real Estate Cyber Consortium on best practices for safeguarding building control systems. Attendees will also learn about emerging threats, effective mitigation strategies, and the industry’s push toward collaborative security efforts through initiatives like Cyber Harmony, aimed at fostering a secure and ethical digital environment for BAS.
Speakers:
Monday, February 10, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Room: W309
Healthy Buildings, Beyond Four Walls
When we think of buildings, we often focus on their physical structures and aesthetics. But truly healthy buildings go far beyond brick and mortar. They encompass a holistic approach that prioritizes the well-being of occupants. Join us as we discuss healthy buildings and how they aim to create environments that promote physical, mental, and social health.
Speakers:
- Moderator – Lauren Scott, V.P. Marketing & Sustainability, Acuity Brands
- Julie Petrone, Global Product Marketing HVAC, ABB
- Stephanie Poole, Principal, SES Consulting
- Michael Davis, Senir Director of Business Development, Motorola
- Tyler Smith, Vice President, Healthy Buildings, HVAC and Controls, Johnson Controls
Day 2 | Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Room: W309
Decarbonization and the New Energy Management Opportunity
Decarbonization reshapes energy management, creating new opportunities and challenges for smart building design. This session delves into the evolving landscape of equipment electrification, highlighting how BAS professionals are crucial in driving sustainable solutions. Discover the lucrative business cases and incentive programs encouraging decarbonization and electrification strategies. We’ll also discuss the critical role of industry collaborations in amplifying the effectiveness of these efforts, providing a comprehensive view of how decarbonization is reshaping the future of energy management.
Speakers:
- Moderator – Stephanie Poole, Principal, SES Consulting
- Lauren Scott, V.P. Marketing & Sustainability, Acuity Brands
- Abby Massey, Vice President – Energy Incentives, Tax Taker
- Scott Cochrane, President & CEO, Cochrane Supply
- VP/GM Building Automation Systems and Controls, Global Products, Johnson Controls
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Room: W309
Can Autonomous Buildings Become a Reality with AI?
OT/IT Feeds AI – Then OT Executes the AI commands. Explore how Operational Technology (OT) networks shape the effectiveness of AI in building control systems. This session delves into the potential of fully autonomous buildings, featuring expert panel discussions on what’s possible today and on the horizon. Attendees will learn to harness analytics and AI to enhance workflows and streamline facility operations in adaptive buildings. Gain practical insights into integrating AI with OT to achieve smarter, more efficient control systems.
Speakers:
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Room: W309
Scaling Up Smart Building Design
The rapid evolution of Building Automation System (BAS) technology is outpacing traditional design and construction practices. This session explores the disconnect between current methods and the demands of modern smart buildings. Attendees will gain insights from case studies highlighting failures and successes in commissioning and controls. Learn how to adapt your designs to meet evolving equipment electrification, interoperability, and cybersecurity expectations. Walk away with actionable strategies for overcoming common barriers and achieving better outcomes in smart building projects.
Speakers:
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Room: W309
Scaling Your Business with Cloud
Unlock the full potential of Cloud-based solutions in building automation by focusing on results, not just the technology. This session will highlight key business advantages like scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency, making Cloud essential for modern BAS. Attendees will also gain practical strategies to seamlessly integrate Cloud technology into their projects, driving enhanced performance and unlocking new growth opportunities.
Speakers:
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Room: W309
AHR Exhibitor Controller Showdown
Join us for the AHR Exhibitor Controller Showdown, where leading companies showcase the latest innovations in smart building controls. Discover the cutting-edge technologies driving product development and learn better ways to leverage controllers in adaptive buildings. This session will also guide attendees on choosing the right programs, ensuring optimal performance in modern smart buildings. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain key insights into the future of smart building controllers.
Speakers:
- Co-Moderator – Gus Bauder, Regional Sales Director, Cochrane Supply
- Co-Moderator – William Cooper, Area Sales Leader, Cochrane Supply
- Steve “HOFF” Hoffman, Strategic Account Manager, Honeywell
- Pawel Szarmanski, Solution Product Manager, iSMA CONTROLLI
- Scott Schaffer, Regional Sales Director, Distech Controls
- Scott Holstein, West Rigional Sales Leader, ABB
Day 3 | Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Room: W309
BAS 101 – Essential Insights for Engineers, Facility Managers, and BAS Professionals
Join an immersive session on Building Automation Systems (BAS), a must-attend event for engineers, facility managers, and BAS Professionals. Come on a captivating journey into the intricate world of BAS, where we demystify its complexities and lay bare its foundational elements. This session is meticulously crafted to provide a thorough understanding of BAS essentials, from its core structure to the sophisticated nuances of its communication protocols.
Speakers:
- Moderator – Phil Zito, CEO, Smart Buildings Academy
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Room: W309
BAS 101 – Real Examples of How to Use AI
Discover how easily accessible AI tools can transform your Building Automation System (BAS) workflows. This session features real-world examples demonstrating how AI acts as a digital assistant, simplifying tasks and boosting efficiency. Perfect for beginners and seasoned professionals alike, you’ll learn practical ways to integrate AI into your daily operations to streamline processes and improve productivity. Don’t miss this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI in your BAS projects.
Speakers:
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Room: W309
BAS 101 – Data & Architectural
Anyone who has deployed or overseen a building automation system knows the principles of distributed control. You want to define, observe, and manage a sequence of operation (SOO) for orchestrated equipment. The new challenge is understanding how to define an optimal workflow now that supervisory control can reside on-premises, within an edge device, or in a cloud-hosted service application. You want to maintain data interoperability and ensure that the processing work happens at the right architecture level.
Speakers:
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Room: W309
BAS 101 – Energy Management
Discover how easily accessible AI tools can transform your Building Automation System (BAS) workflows. This session features real-world examples demonstrating how AI acts as a digital assistant, simplifying tasks and boosting efficiency. Perfect for beginners and seasoned professionals alike, you’ll learn practical ways to integrate AI into your daily operations to streamline processes and improve productivity. Don’t miss this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI in your BAS projects.
Speakers:
- Co-Moderator – Stephanie Poole, Principal, SES Consulting
- Co-Moderator – Scott Cochrane, President & CEO, Cochrane Supply
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