March 19, 2027 — The Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE) has announced the renewal of its strategic partnership with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) through a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding signed in August 2025.
This renewed collaboration between two industry-leading organizations strengthens the commitment to advancing facilities engineering and HVAC excellence across multiple sectors, including Fortune 500 manufacturers, universities, medical centers and government agencies worldwide.
Building on a decade of collaboration
The partnership, originally established in April 2016, has been renewed for another term, demonstrating the value both organizations place on their collaborative efforts. The MOU was signed by AFE President-Elect Adam Kilburn and President & CEO Meri-Elizabeth Schulze, alongside ASHRAE’s 2025-26 Society President Bill McQuade and Executive Vice President Jeff Littleton.
“This renewed partnership reflects our shared commitment to supporting facilities professionals with the resources, education and technical expertise they need to create sustainable, efficient built environments,” said Schulze.
Comprehensive collaboration framework
The renewed MOU outlines several key areas of cooperation designed to benefit members of both organizations:
Professional development and education
- Cross-marketing of educational offerings at regional, national, and international levels
- Joint development of new courses and training programs
- Collaborative certification program development and promotion
Technical excellence
- Encouraging cross-participation on technical committees and task forces
- Establishing liaison representatives to key technical committees
- Providing opportunities for input on proposed standards, guidelines, and position statements
Research and innovation
- Promoting research in areas that advance sustainable built environments
- Rapid dissemination of high-impact research findings
- Identifying new funding opportunities for collaborative research projects
Industry advocacy
- Joint promotion of codes and standards at local, state, and federal levels
- Collaborative positions on beneficial legislation
- Educational outreach to legislators on issues important to both organizations’ members
Enhanced member benefits
AFE members can expect several direct benefits from this renewed partnership:
- Conference access: Complimentary VIP registrations to ASHRAE’s primary annual meeting
- Speaker exchange: Access to ASHRAE experts at AFE events and meetings
- Publications: Cross-promotion of educational materials and industry publications
- Local networking: Coordinated grassroots meetings between AFE sections and ASHRAE chapters
Looking forward
The partnership includes provisions for annual liaison meetings between senior representatives from both organizations to ensure ongoing advancement of collaborative projects and identify new opportunities for cooperation.
As AFE continues to serve facilities professionals worldwide, this renewed partnership with ASHRAE reinforces the organization’s commitment to providing members with comprehensive resources, cutting-edge technical knowledge, and valuable networking opportunities across the broader building systems industry.
The MOU remains a dynamic document, designed to evolve as industry needs and priorities change, ensuring both organizations can continue delivering maximum value to their respective members while advancing the shared goal of creating healthier, more sustainable built environments for all.
