ASHRAE Insights

ASHRAE has approved strategies to help strengthen its role as a global resource for HVAC&R practices through expanded membership services and cooperation with associations globally.

ASHRAE has some 50,000 members in more than 130 countries, and in recent years has seen an increase in its membership outside of North America, outpacing the growth rate of its traditional membership base. New technologies have also accelerated at varying speeds in different parts of the world.

In response to these challenges, the ASHRAE Board of Directors has adopted the Strategies for a Global Environment, incorporated into its Strategic Plan adopted last year.
Through the 14 strategies in the plan, ASHRAE hopes to expand the amount and the quality of information and services available to its members.

“ASHRAE’s adoption of its Strategic Plan was a significant commitment to becoming a truly global Society,” said Tom Watson, P.E., who chaired the committee that developed the strategies. “Successful implementation of the plan requires that ASHRAE become a global leader in sustainable design in HVAC&R.

“ASHRAE members, no matter where they reside or work, need access to technologies and products that draw upon the best knowledge of individuals throughout the world. ASHRAE understands and appreciates the impact that globalization has on trade, business, technology and communication.

“ASHRAE’s approach to this phenomenon respects national and international membership organizations, partnering to create resources that are more than the sum of their parts and delivering them beyond where they were previously available.”

The strategies include:
• Developing expertise in HVAC&R technologies to embrace whole building sustainable design and be one of the most valuable global resources for publications and educational products related to sustainable HVAC&R technology.
• Pursuing opportunities and processes along with translation to publish its literature in various languages.
• Cooperating with organizations with shared objectives and strengthening the ASHRAE Associate Societies Alliance.
• The cost of annual membership dues will be balanced with the cost of providing membership benefits and services in different geographic regions.
• Pricing publications and educational products so they are within reach of ASHRAE’s global membership but will not be priced at less than the cost of providing them.
• Volunteer participation obstacles will be overcome through meeting planning and organization that is sensitive to global participation and that benefits from electronic communication technologies.
• While ASHRAE’s chapter and regional structure shall be the backbone of ASHRAE’s structure globally, it shall be flexibly applied to serve membership.
• Supporting, in cooperation with national associations, a uniform, international standard for credentialing in the disciplines and practices of HVAC&R.
• Actively supporting and participating in international standard development activities.
• Actively protecting its intellectual property rights.
• Providing enhanced staff support outside of the United States.
• Aligning its business practices to better serve members globally.
• Pursuing, in cooperation with national societies or independently, conferences and exhibitions outside North America.
• Strengthening the ASHRAE Brand to reflect a global strategy that serves the needs of all members.
The strategies can be read at www.ashrae.org/globalstrategy.