CxEnergy 2026 Looks to the Future with AI Keynote, Focus on Workforce Development
For Immediate Release
Contact: Anna Kosova (202) 737-7775, anna@commissioning.org
Washington, D.C. (May 1, 2026) — CxEnergy 2026, the conference and expo held annually by the AABC Commissioning Group (ACG), brought over 600 participants in the fields of commissioning, energy management, and testing, adjusting & balancing (TAB) to Chicago, IL, at the end of April. A joint effort of ACG, the Energy Management Association (EMA), and the Associated Air Balance Council (AABC), CxEnergy offered 32 technical sessions from industry experts.
During the technical program, speakers with a range of commissioning experience covered relevant topics such as data centers and artificial intelligence, case studies in sectors from airports to higher education, workforce development, updates on industry standards, and more. Energy management professionals spoke about energy savings, LEED v5, sustainability, and other leading industry topics. The conference program fostered engaging discussions between attendees and speakers, connecting commissioning and energy management professionals with building owners and facility managers.
The breadth of subject matter highlighted just how interconnected sustainability, systems performance, and workforce growth are in shaping the future of our built environment.
- Matthew Crotts, University of Florida, CxEnergy 2026 Scholarship Recipient
At CxEnergy’s opening plenary session, ACG Executive Director Ray Bert provided an update on the organization’s recent activities, including the forthcoming launch of the Commissioning Specialist (CxS) certification, which will replace the current CxT certification. ACG also introduced an increased focus on workforce development this year, including a new staff position dedicated to expanding knowledge of commissioning among students and young professionals.
The CxEnergy Scholarship Program was significantly expanded this year as part of this initiative, with 21 students awarded scholarships to attend the conference. In addition to the opportunity to attend technical sessions, explore the expo hall, and learn from industry experts, scholarship recipients participated in an exclusive career fair. This gave them face time with 5 participating ACG member companies to discuss resumes and potential job opportunities in the field.
Keynote speaker Ian Beacraft spoke on practical AI for commissioning and energy professionals. An AI strategist, Beacraft helped attendees understand ways to embrace artificial intelligence and safely integrate it into their workflows.
In addition to a cutting-edge educational program, CxEnergy 2026 offered an expo hall featuring nearly 50 sponsors and exhibitors showcasing the latest software, technology, devices, and other services for commissioning, energy management, and TAB. The CxEnergy Technology Theater returned this year, providing an exciting opportunity for exhibitors to present their latest products.
New in the expo hall this year was the CxEnergy Punch List game, which invited attendees to visit sponsor booths, attend Technology Theater sessions, and post about #CxEnergy for the chance to win prizes. Attendees got competitive and enjoyed the opportunity to interact with a variety of sponsors, and sponsors appreciated the increased visibility.
What a fantastic few days at CxEnergy 2026! The lineup of guest speakers brought incredible insights into where the commissioning industry is headed, and the new products being introduced to streamline Cx processes were genuinely impressive. Coming away energized and already planning how to implement several of these initiatives in the near future. The future of commissioning is bright.
- Amador Camacho, Jr., CxA, Net Positive Consulting Engineers, CxEnergy 2026 Attendee
To close out the conference, a group of attendees took a boat tour along the Chicago River to explore some of the city’s magnificent architecture.
View the conference photo gallery here.
Save the date for CxEnergy 2027: April 27-30, at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV. CxEnergy is presented by the AABC Commissioning Group (ACG), Associated Air Balance Council (AABC), and Energy Management Association (EMA).


CxA certification is open to independent industry professionals who meet all education and experience prerequisites and implement commissioning processes in new and existing buildings.
The Energy Management Process Seminar is designed to help candidates understand the energy management process and how it can be applied and serves as the final preparation for the Energy Management Professional (EMP) exam.













