ASHRAE Manitoba is pleased to announce a one-day professional seminar focused on Artificial Intelligence in the HVAC Industry!
📅 Date: April 23, 2026
📍 Location: Viscount Gort Hotel, 1670 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3J 0C9 (Royal A Room)
⏱️ Time: 8:00AM – 4:30PM
This seminar is designed for HVAC professionals looking to understand how AI technologies available today are transforming our industry—and how they will continue to shape the future of HVAC systems and buildings. As technology advances, AI is playing an increasingly critical role in driving energy efficiency, automation, and healthy indoor environments.
The event will feature several keynote speakers with deep expertise in both AI and the HVAC industry, presenting practical, real-world insights on:
- AI applications for HVAC design and construction tools
- How AI is advancing automation and intelligent building systems
- How emerging technologies are enabling more efficient and healthier buildings.
Whether you work in design, construction, controls, or building operations, this seminar will provide valuable perspective on how AI is redefining the built environment.
Event Schedule
| Time | Program |
| 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM | Doors Open – Event Registration |
| 8:30 AM – 8:50 AM | Opening Remarks Brennan Laidlaw, ASHRAE MB Chapter President |
| 8:50 AM – 10:00 AM | AI in Action: Daily Tools Transforming Engineering and Construction Tracey Jumper, CCP, FASHRAE, Founder & CEO, Fix Happens LLC |
| 10:00 AM – 10:20 AM | AM Break & Refreshments Coffee + Snacks + Networking |
| 10:20 AM – 11:25 AM | An Introduction to Generative AI and Applications in Building Controls Jayson Bursill, Ph.D., P.Eng., Data Scientist, Delta Intelligent Building Technologies |
| 11:25 AM – 12:30 PM | AI Applied to Building Management Alaric Venne, Technical Consultant, Trane Technologies |
| 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch Meal + Networking |
| 1:30 PM – 2:25 PM | High-Performance Sequences of Operation for HVAC Systems (ASHRAE Guideline 36) Brennan Laidlaw, P.Eng, LEED AP BD+C, & Mitch Smith, P. Eng. & Derek Bishop BSc. ME |
| 2:25 AM – 2:40 AM | The Future of Intelligent Buildings: Emerging ASHRAE Standards for AI and Interoperability Jayson Bursill, Ph.D., P.Eng., Data Scientist, Delta Intelligent Building Technologies |
| 2:40 PM – 3:00 PM | PM Break & Refreshments Drinks + Snacks + Networking |
| 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Ask the Experts: Panel Discussion & Industry Q&A Tracy Jumper, Dr. Jayson Bursill, Alaric Venne |
| 4:00 PM – 4:15 PM | Closing Remarks Mackenzie McCreight, Incoming ASHRAE MB Chapter President for Next Year |
Presentation Summaries
AI in Action: Daily Tools Transforming Engineering and Construction
Speaker: Tracey Jumper, CCP, FASHRAE, Founder & CEO, Fix Happens LLC
In the ever-evolving world of engineering and construction, understanding the latest AI tools is crucial for staying competitive. In this presentation, we will provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of the AI-powered tools that are transforming daily operations for building mechanical and electrical design engineers, HVAC vendors, and contractors.
We will explore how AI is revolutionizing key areas such as project management, design optimization, construction monitoring, predictive maintenance, quality control, and administrative and documentation tasks. Attendees will gain insights into the practical applications of AI, including generative AI for project scheduling, machine learning for HVAC system monitoring, and computer vision for real-time site monitoring. This presentation will provide valuable knowledge and actionable insights for professionals looking to leverage AI technologies to stay ahead in a competitive market.
Join us to discover the innovative AI tools that are shaping the future of construction and learn how to integrate these technologies into your daily operations. Whether you are a project manager, engineer, or architect, this presentation will equip you with the knowledge to harness the power of AI in your projects.
An Introduction to Generative AI and Applications in Building Controls
Speaker: Jayson Bursill, P.hD., P.Eng., Data Scientist, Delta Intelligent Building Technologies
Generative AI, enabled by transformer based large language models (LLMs), is transforming building automation by allowing systems to reason and interact using natural language rather than relying solely on static, rule based logic. When applied to the right problems, this capability can significantly enhance how buildings are designed, operated, and optimized.
This presentation explores how generative AI is being used in building automation to improve energy efficiency, support predictive maintenance, and enhance occupant comfort. Emphasis is placed on practical, real world applications, including the generation of building control programming from text based prompts and natural language interaction with automation systems. Attendees will gain insight into how generative AI can augment existing building technologies, streamline engineering workflows, and support more adaptive, performance based building operation.
The Future of Intelligent Buildings: Emerging ASHRAE Standards for AI and Interoperability
Speaker: Jayson Bursill, P.hD., P.Eng., Data Scientist, Delta Intelligent Building Technologies
An overview of two new and emerging ASHRAE standards shaping the digital future of building automation. Explore how new Standard 231-2026 and proposed Standard 223P enable machine-readable control sequences and semantic data frameworks. Learn how these efforts are laying the foundation for scalable AI-driven analytics and automation in the built environment.
ASHRAE Standard 231-2026, A Control Description Language for Building Environmental Control Sequences
The purpose of ASHRAE Standard 231-2026 is to define a declarative graphical programming language for building environmental control sequences that are both human-and-machine-readable designed for specification, implementation through machine-to-machine translation, documentation, and simulation.
ASHRAE Standard 223P, Semantic Data Model for Analytics and Automation Applications in Buildings
The purpose of Standard 223P is to define formal knowledge concepts and a methodology to apply them to create interoperable, machine-readable semantic frameworks for representing building automation and control data and other building system information.
AI Applied to Building Management
Speaker: Alaric Venne, Technical Consultant, Trane Technologies
This session explores the evolving role of generative AI and its growing influence on the HVAC and building industries. Participants will gain a practical understanding of the skills and strategies needed to effectively work with generative AI tools, including prompt design, critical evaluation of outputs, and integrating AI into everyday workflows. The presentation will examine how AI is reshaping job roles across the sector, driving the need for upskilling, and redefining the core competencies required of today’s and tomorrow’s workforce.
Attendees will also learn how generative AI and large language models are already being applied in building design and building automation, from accelerating engineering analyses to supporting energy modeling, documentation, and control-system development. Real world examples of how AI is in use today’s HVAC systems will highlight how these tools are enhancing productivity, improving decision making, and enabling more innovative design approaches.
Finally, the session will address common challenges that individuals and organizations face when adopting AI technologies, including data quality concerns, change management, and ethical considerations. Strategies for overcoming these obstacles will be discussed, helping facilities teams implement AI in a responsible, scalable, and value driven way. Participants will leave with insights to prepare their facilities organization for an AI enabled future.
High-Performance Sequences of Operation for HVAC Systems
Local Speakers: Brennan Laidlaw, P.Eng, LEED AP BD+C, & Mitch Smith, P. Eng. & Derek Bishop BSc. ME
This session introduces ASHRAE Guideline 36, which establishes standardized, advanced sequences of operation for common HVAC systems to improve building performance while reducing engineering, programming, and commissioning effort. Rather than developing control sequences from scratch, design engineers can adapt existing standardized sequences that have been proven to perform. The presentation will explore how these validated strategies help reduce energy consumption, improve indoor air quality, ensure compliance with industry standards and codes, and enhance system reliability through improved diagnostics and consistent implementation.
Ask the Experts: Panel Discussion & Industry Q&A
Panel Speakers: Tracy Jumper, CCP, FASHRAE & Jayson Bursill, Ph.D, P.Eng. & Alaric Venne
This interactive panel discussion brings together leading industry experts to share their insights on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the HVAC industry. Panelists will have a chance to answer questions on key topics including the biggest challenges facing AI adoption, the practical benefits being realized today, and their perspectives on the roadmap for the future of intelligent building systems. The session will conclude with an open Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders, ask questions, and gain valuable perspectives on how AI is shaping the next generation of HVAC and building operations.
Meet the Speakers
Tracey Jumper, CCP, FASHRAE
Founder & CEO
Fix Happens LLC
Tracey Jumper, CCP, FASHRAE, is the founder of Fix Happens, LLC, a Nevada-based consulting firm leading the commissioning and retro-commissioning of mission-critical, healthcare, entertainment, and high-profile facilities.
Recently, as Global Director of Data Center Commissioning at Microsoft, Tracey established teams and commissioning methods that delivered first of kind AI data centers. She previously co-founded the Commissioning Division at EMCOR Mesa Energy Systems (CA) and started Jump-Start Building Commissioning and Keystone Commissioning firms (PA) driving quality-assured growth in building construction and improvement work in different regions of the country.
Her expertise has guided projects for clients including the NFL, NASA, NBC, Estée Lauder, Verizon, Boeing, and Schwab. Tracey’s contributions—in developing rapid protocols for assessing and making improvements for proper IEQ, initiating responsible hyperscale data center testing methods, and expanding existing building commissioning as a discipline—earned her induction into the 2026 ASHRAE College of Fellows and recognition as a Top 20 Woman to Watch in HVAC. She is a credited expert in The Building Commissioning Handbook and ASHRAE Standard 230, with past leadership roles reaching across four ASHRAE regions. Tracey began her journey as the first college graduate in her family, earning an Architectural Engineering degree from Penn State while working construction jobs—a foundation for her career overcoming barriers, empowering global teams and mentees, and inspiring professionals in engineering and contracting businesses worldwide.
Full speaker bio and more information of Tracy can be found on the ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer Website
Jayson Bursill, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Data Scientist
Delta Intelligent Building Technologies
Dr. Jayson Bursill is a Data Scientist for Delta Controls where he leads all data science and related research activities. Jayson received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Carleton University for developing and implementing model-based predictive HVAC controls and evaluating performance in a field test. He is also an Adjunct Research Professor at Carleton University. He has publications on multiple building-related topics in several academic journals and conference proceedings.
In addition to his experience and expertise, Dr. Bursill is also involved in several ASHRAE technical activities related to controls including TC 1.4 (Control Theory and Application), GPC 36 (High-Performance Sequences of Operation for HVAC Systems), SPC 223P (Semantic Data Model for Analytics and Automation Applications in Building), SPC 231 (A Control Description Language), and MTG.GenAI.
Alaric Venne
Technical Consultant
Trane Technologies
Alaric Venne has been closely connected with Brainbox AI since its inception in 2017, playing a key role in advancing the company’s intelligent building automation technologies. Drawing on years of experience in the commercial sector, he has helped shape strategies that blend artificial intelligence, data-driven insights, and practical operational needs for building owners and operators.
In his current role as a technical consultant supporting Trane Canada’s portfolio, Alaric collaborates with Trane Technologies teams across multiple disciplines to integrate innovative HVAC and controls solutions. His work focuses on reducing operational costs, improving energy efficiency, and driving measurable sustainability outcomes for customers. He is known for bridging the gap between emerging technology and real-world application, ensuring that advanced tools—such as autonomous building controls—deliver tangible value.
Recognized for his deep technical expertise, forward-looking mindset, and commitment to environmental stewardship, Alaric contributes significantly to transforming the building controls market. His efforts support the broader industry shift toward smarter, more sustainable, and more resilient built environments.
Sponsorship Opportunities
ASHRAE Manitoba is a non-profit organization and relies on generous donations from our community to make events like this possible. Sponsors will receive prominent acknowledgment in event promotional materials, on-site signage, and during opening remarks. Company logos will be featured on the conference website and presentation screens, and sponsors will be recognized in post-event communications distributed to attendees.
This visibility provides meaningful brand exposure to industry professionals while demonstrating your organization’s commitment to advancing our industry and supporting professional development.
🏆 Platinum: Lunch Sponsor – $1,000 (limit of 1 sponsor)
🎖️ Platinum: Refreshment Break Sponsor – $750 (limit of 1, SOLD)
🎖️ Platinum: Venue Sponsor – $750 (limit of 1, SOLD)
🥇 Gold Sponsor – $500
🥈 Silver Sponsor – $250
| Benefit |
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Lunch |
| 15-minute speaker address to the event attendees at lunch. 1 free admission for speaker. |
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| All attendees from your organization can register at discounted ASHRAE memberships rate. |
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| Recognition during opening remarks. |
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Logo featured on event presentation screens, website and promotional materials. |
Featured
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Prominent
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Premier
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| Verbal acknowledgement throughout the day. |
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Please email ASHRAE MB for sponsorship: ashrae.mb@gmail.com
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Registration
Registration is now closed. Thank you to all who have registered for the event!