ASHRAE INsights

By Bill Williams, P.E., ASHRAE CTTC
Communications Coordinator and Satellite Broadcast Ad Hoc Committee Chair

The Chapter Technology Transfer Committee’s (CTTC) annual satellite broadcast, Integrated Building Design: Bringing The Pieces Together To Unleash The Power of Teamwork, which aired on April 16, was the most watched program since its inception in 2005. Registration results indicate that 20,206 viewers watched the broadcast, a 17.5% increase compared to the previous year’s audience.

During preliminary meetings, the ad hoc committee was challenged to provide a program that brought value to the membership and left the viewers with a “wow” feeling. Based on the comments received from participant evaluation forms, the program met those goals.

Overall, 93% of respondents to the online participant evaluation form were very satisfied with the program and its components. The format of the program was well received by the viewers. The evidence is a 100% “Strongly Agree” response rate to the “Well Received” category regarding the broadcast attributes. 
The broadcast reached a large international audience. Of course, the broadcast covered the U.S., Canada and Mexico. In addition, satellite downlink viewers were joined by web­cast viewers in 43 countries such as Argentina, Jamaica, Chile, Colombia, the United Kingdom, Greece, Singapore and Australia. ABRAVA, the Brazilian Association of HVAC&R, and the Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research each hosted more than 50 viewers.

Viewers from Oman, Barbados, Denmark, Indonesia and Venezuela logged on and joined the satellite broadcast audience for the first time.

During the broadcast, viewer questions arrived in such numbers that they all could not be answered on air. In keeping with the idea that if someone took the time to write in a question, they deserved an answer, the presenters have taken the time to write a response to each question. The questions and answers, as well as other informational items (including instructions on how to purchase a DVD of the broadcast), have been posted on the broadcast’s Web page, www.ashrae.org/IBDbroadcast.

The ad hoc committee followed a simple formula in preparing this broadcast: use a current topic, knowledgeable speakers and relevant information that the audience can use in their daily work life. Adding to that the resources posted on the Web page leads the ad hoc committee to believe we have provided value to the industry.

The Satellite Broadcast Ad Hoc Committee wishes to thank the ASHRAE membership and all who watched the program. We hope you will participate again in 2009.