17th Annual Midwest Building Codes & Policy Summit
About this Event
The Midwest Building Codes & Policy Summit focuses on the advancement of energy codes and building energy policies in the region. This annual two-day summit provides an opportunity to network, engage in building science and policy discussions and learn from leading experts about current and future rends. 9 hours of RESNET, ICC, AIA continuing education credits available. Find the full agenda and other conference details on MEEA's website: Midwest Building Codes & Policy Summit | Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Two Pre-Summit events to choose from (choose one):
A pre-summit 2024 energy code & Illinois Stretch Code training is offered on Tuesday, October 13 from 1:00pm-5:00pm. The training will be held at MEEA's office, 20 N. Wacker Drive. Sign-up separately from the summit for this training. 4 hours of RESNET, ICC, AIA continuing education credits available
Trainers:
- Christopher McTaggart, Building Efficiency Resources
- Ben Rabe, New Buildings Institute
- Scott Farbman, Energy Solutions
For attendees of the Summit Only, an alternate event (takes place at the same time as the training) will be a tour at the University of Illinois. Sign-up separately from the summit for this tour
Day 1: Wed, Oct. 14
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:15 AM
Breakfast
🕑: 09:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Welcome & Midwest Round-up
Host: Paige Knutsen, Executive Director, MEEA
Info: Kicking off the Summit, representatives from states and municipalities across the Midwest will provide a live update on local building policy efforts and impactful building energy efficiency initiatives over the last year. This has been an active year for building policies in the Midwest, with a mix of building policy advancement and proposed rollbacks, utility code support programs, and workforce development initiatives.
🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Break
🕑: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Healthy Low Carb Diets: A Look at Municipal Decarbonization Strategies
Host: Cecilia Govrik, City of St. Paul
Info: What does it take to move from climate commitments to building decarbonization at scale? This session features regional leaders who will highlight effective climate action policies, implementation strategies, and lessons learned. The audience will then participate in an interactive discussion on the partnerships, governance, and investments needed to accelerate emissions reductions across communities.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:15 PM
Out with the New, In with the Old: Techniques for Addressing Energy Use i
Host: Jason LaFleur, GTI Energy
Info: Rather than viewing deep energy upgrades as isolated projects, this discussion examines how building efficiency can evolve through a coordinated, step-by-step approach, from the building envelope and mechanical systems to district-scale infrastructure. The panel will explore the balance between load reduction and mechanical efficiency, examining how tightening the building shell reshapes the economics of mechanical system sizing, and how local code frameworks can capture natural equipment replacement cycles without overwhelming existing infrastructure. Stepping outside the individual property line, the conversation expands to the broader community, examining how policy and energy standards can bridge single-parcel interventions with shared, district-scale thermal infrastructure to create a truly integrated path forward
🕑: 02:15 PM - 02:45 PM
Break
🕑: 02:45 PM - 04:00 PM
Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Market Transformation with Utility Attribution
Host: Arlene Lanciani, Guidehouse
Info: Sarah Wells, Slipstream. Utilities have opportunities to accelerate market progress and play a strategic role in residential and commercial building policy implementation, particularly with advanced energy codes and policies. Learn how jurisdictions, industry, and utilities work together on building performance standards and stretch codes to create pathways to achieve energy and climate goals while claiming energy savings and improving customer outcomes.
🕑: 04:30 PM - 06:30 PM
Reception at Guinness Open Gate Brewery Chicago
Day 2: Thurs, Oct. 15
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
Breakfast
🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Tribal Sovereignty in Energy Codes Leading the Way to Energy Efficient Future
Host: Matt Beaudet, Ádisóke Solutions
Info: During this session, we will hear how Tribal Nations are exercising their own powers as sovereign governments to reduce the energy burden on tribal members. By leveraging federal funding opportunities and establishing robust stakeholder networks, tribes are enacting codes and establishing energy workforce programs that improve the health, safety, and economic well-being of tribal members
🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Break
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Laying the Foundation: Supporting Communities with Energy Code Compliance
Host: Hope Medina, Shums Coda
Info: Energy code support programs are becoming more innovative, research-backed, and reliable. These initiatives have found success in a variety of applications, whether a community-led collaborative, data-informed trainings, or a proactive circuit rider. Learn how these various approaches have been leveraged to improve energy code compliance and build relationships with communities
🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:15 PM
Lunch
🕑: 01:15 PM - 02:30 PM
Making the Case: The Costs and Benefits of Energy Codes
Host: Pamela Brookstein, Pearl Score
Info: Energy codes often stall in state and local policy conversations when cost concerns overshadow long-term value. Clear data and consistent messaging on both the costs and benefits of energy codes are essential to moving those conversations forward. This session brings together industry leaders to share the latest cost-effectiveness research, lessons from local stakeholder engagement, and communication strategies that build support for smart building policy and quality construction practices across the Midwest
🕑: 02:30 PM - 02:45 PM
Building Codes & Policy Summit Closing Remarks
Host: Ian Blanding, Director of Building Codes & Policy
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 350.00
