What is ASHRAE not doing today that it must start?

• A. Valuing engineering employers.
• B. Providing more certificates.
• C. Holding more in-person events.
• D. Expanding the knowledge base.

Answer: (A)

Valuing external stakeholders and building strong partnerships is essential for an association’s long-term impact and financial health. Engineering employers are a pivotal group because they hire the talent ASHRAE serves, fund training and certification efforts, and rely on the organization’s standards and knowledge to improve efficiency, safety, and ROI within their teams. If ASHRAE isn’t actively showing that it values and listens to engineering employers, those employers may feel distant from the organization’s work, reducing collaboration, sponsorship, and support for standards adoption and professional development initiatives. Starting to value engineering employers means actively engaging them—seeking their input on programs, inviting them into governance or advisory roles, and demonstrating how ASHRAE activities align with their business needs and bottom line. This shift helps ensure relevance, strengthens financial and strategic support, and enhances real-world impact of ASHRAE’s efforts.

While expanding certificates, increasing in-person events, or broadening the knowledge base are useful endeavors, they don’t address the foundational need to connect with and value the employers who shape and sustain the profession.