Registration is open for ASHRAE’s 2012 Winter Conference in Chicago, where attendees will have the chance to discuss and examine the latest topics in the building industry as well as participate in technical tours, attend ASHRAE Learning Institute courses, earn professional credits, and obtain ASHRAE certifications.

The 2012 Winter Conference takes place January 21-25 at the Palmer House Hilton. The International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Expo^®, held in conjunction with the Winter Conference, will run January 23-25. The Expo (www.ahrexpo.com) is held at the McCormick Place.

In keeping with ASHRAE’s goal of continuing education, the Conference offers over 200 Professional Development Hours, as well as Continuing Education Units that can be applied toward a Professional Engineering license.

The technical program features more than 90 programs and 300 speakers. Additionally, there is a new “mini-conference” on Installation, Operation & Maintenance of HVAC Systems, built within the Technical Program. The O&M mini-conference is scheduled on Jan. 22-23. The full Technical Program, which will be announced later this month, offers the opportunity to earn a year’s worth of PDHs, NY PDHs, AIA LUs, and LEED^®AP credits.

The Chicago Virtual Conference is included with a paid Conference registration — comp and single-day registration excluded — and includes on-demand access to all speakers’ audio presentations synced to their presentations. Attendees and speakers can post comments on the presentations for a two-week period. Those not attending the Chicago Winter Conference in person may register for the Virtual Conference only. Register at www.ashrae.org/chicagovirtual.. ES