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Smart Buildings Exchange (SBX): State of Buildings

September 16, 2025 By SBC staff

In the first of two panel discussions at SBX 2025, Tom Marseille (Sazan Group) will lead the conversation between Emily Salzberg (Washington State Department of Commerce), Tom Williams (DB Engineering), Martin Clinton (UMC), and Tom Anderson (Puget Sound Energy) on the State of Buildings – what’s working, what’s not, and what kinds of solutions are needed.

State of Buildings – what’s working, what’s not
Building owners and operators are facing a convergence of challenges—rising costs, growing decarbonization expectations, aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, cybersecurity threats, and evolving occupant needs. In this panel discussion, leaders from both the public and private sectors will share their candid perspectives on the current state of the industry: what’s working, what’s stuck, and what kinds of solutions they need most.

The full agenda for the 2025 Smart Buildings Exchange Fall Conference is available at sbxconference.org/fall-conference/. After the State of Buildings discussion, an Innovation Showcase panel will highlight strategies for smarter, safer, more responsive buildings and the event will conclude with a networking happy hour, sponsored by Building Potential.

Register now to join us in Seattle on November 5th!

 

Filed Under: Education & Training, Featured Event, SBC News, SBX

Free webinar: Seattle’s ambitious Metropole Project | Sep 22

September 2, 2025 By SBC staff

Metropole-exterior-email

Join BetterBricksĀ and theĀ University of Washington Integrated Design LabĀ for aĀ no-cost webinar onĀ the Metropole Project—a set of 19th-century buildings reimagined as a vibrant, sustainable hub for community, culture, and collaboration. Earn 1 AIA HSW credit as you learn how the project incorporates historic preservation and integrated design principles to set a new standard for efficient building renewal.

The first event is a live webinar featuring the building owner and design team as they share the project’s vision, challenges, and integrated design strategies. Then, those in the Seattle area can optionallyĀ join us for an in-person tour and gathering at the Metropole to experience first-handĀ the building’s high-performance features and community impact.

These events are ideal for architects, mechanical engineers, building owners and managers, and sustainability professionals interested in adaptive reuse, deep energy retrofits, and whole-building integrated design.

Register here!

Filed Under: Education & Training, Webinars

Meet the BEACON fellows: Chelan County

August 21, 2025 By SBC staff

This article was originally shared by commerce.wa.gov, learn more about BEACON Project at: Building Efficiency and Clean Operations Network (BEACON) Fellowship Project – Washington State Department of Commerce

TheĀ Building Efficiency and Clean Operations Network (BEACON) ProjectĀ launched in June 2025, placing 10Ā fellows across the state to provide free, technical assistance to building owners working to meet the Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS). The Smart Buildings Center is supporting the project with training and technical support for theĀ fellows. We are sharing features of BEACONĀ fellows from different counties for the next few weeks that are published by the Department of Commerce. If you’re interested in receiving assistance from a BEACONĀ fellow, please complete theĀ BEACON Project Interest Form.

Chelan County: Ava Burk

Ava Burk Where is your host site?

My service area is Chelan County, and my host site is Wenatchee Valley College.

 

 

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am originally from Omaha, Nebraska, but I currently live in Wenatchee. I recently graduated from Wenatchee Valley College, and I was on the Sustainability Committee for the entirety of my time at WVC. I am passionate about nurturing a balance of enabled play in the natural world while enforcing the protection of it. There’s no other place I’d rather be than outside, which is why I am so keen on conserving nature.

Why did you apply to be a BEACON fellow?

I applied to be a BEACON Fellow because I want to create sustainable cities. Energy efficient measures are an incredibly effective way to begin transforming the relationship between the built environment and the natural world. Through sustainable initiatives, urban areas and the natural world can thrive in harmony. I am incredibly excited to be a part of this process.

Ava provides Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS) support to Tier 1 and Tier 2 buildings in Chelan County. To receive services, please complete theĀ BEACON Project Interest Form. You can also email Ava atĀ [email protected].

Filed Under: Education & Training, SBC News

Smart Buildings Exchange (SBX) Agenda Announced!

August 12, 2025 By SBC staff

The agenda for the 2025 Smart Buildings Exchange Fall Conference is now available on the SBX website. The event will feature a keynote address, two panel discussions and a networking happy hour – register to join us in Seattle on November 5th!

Keynote Address: PNW Leadership on the National Stage
Ash Awad
, President & Chief Market Officer at McKinstry, will deliver a compelling keynote address highlighting how the Pacific Northwest is uniquely positioned to lead the US through the energy market transformation.

Two engaging panel discussions will follow, and the event will conclude with a networking happy hour, sponsored by Building Potential.

State of Buildings – what’s working, what’s not
Building owners and operators are facing a convergence of challenges—rising costs, growing decarbonization expectations, aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, cybersecurity threats, and evolving occupant needs. In this panel discussion, leaders from both the public and private sectors will share their candid perspectives on the current state of the industry: what’s working, what’s stuck, and what kinds of solutions they need most.

Innovation Showcase: Smarter, Safer, More Responsive Buildings
This panel will feature four rapid presentations, each highlighting how smart strategies are solving different performance challenges—from energy and emissions to security and space use.

Register now and save with early-bird pricing!

 

Filed Under: Education & Training, Featured Event, SBC News, SBX

Join SBC and FEA on 8/14 at 8:30 PT for Future-Ready Facilities: Navigating Risk Through Property Resilience

July 16, 2025 By SBC staff

Register Today!

Smart Buildings Center and FEA are excited to partner for this educational LIVE webinar. Join us as we discuss risks and opportunities for your facilities in the ever-changing world of the built environment.

As risks to the built environment grow more complex – from environmental threats to technology disruptions – facility leaders must adopt a proactive approach to resilience. This session will share strategies for identifying vulnerabilities, mitigating emerging risks, and embedding resilience into everyday operations and long-term planning. Drawing on real-world examples, we’ll explore how to integrate resilience into facility planning. We’ll also highlight the new ASTM Standard Guide for Property Resilience Assessment as one of several tools to structure your approach. Whether you’re just starting your resilience journey or looking to strengthen an existing program, you’ll leave with actionable insights and planning tools to build readiness and ensure continuity in the face of disruption.

Filed Under: Education & Training, Featured Event, Webinars

Registration Now Open for Qualified Energy Manager Certification

May 21, 2025 By SBC staff

Commerce and the Smart Building Center are offering a free virtual and in-person Qualified Energy Manager Certification course in June.Ā Space is limited. A free and on-demand course will be available in the future.

The Qualified Energy Management (QEM) course is designed to equip building professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to comply with the Tier 2 requirements of the Washington State’s Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS).Ā  This comprehensive training is ideal for building operators, energy managers, and facility staff.

In accordance with the CBPS, a QEM must have two years of experience, including educational and/or professional experience, with commercial building operations and/or building energy management in addition to successful completion of this training. Upon completion of the Qualified Energy Management (QEM) course, you will be able to:

  • Establish the energy use intensity target (EUIt) according to Section 7.
  • Calculate the building’s measured energy use intensity (EUI) by completing Form C according to Section 5.2.
  • Submit forms as specified in Normative Annex Y documenting compliance.
  • State in writing on Form A that the Energy Management plan and Operations and Maintenance program requirements have been developed, implemented and maintained.
  • Submit and sign Form A.

Register Today to Save Your Spot!

QEM Virtual TrainingĀ 
šŸ“…Part 1: Wednesday, June 11|ā°8:30 AM-12:30 PM
šŸ“…Part 2: Monday, June 16|ā°8:30 AM-12:30 PM
šŸ’» Fully Online • Live Sessions
Register Here
QEM Virtual TrainingĀ 
šŸ“…Part 1: Wednesday, June 27|ā°8:30 AM-12:30 PM
šŸ“…Part 2: Monday, June 30|ā°8:30 AM-12:30 PM
šŸ’» Fully Online • Live Sessions
Register Here
QEM In-Person Training – Seattle
šŸ“Smart Buildings Center
šŸ“…Friday, June 13|ā°8:00 AM-4:00 PM
šŸ¢ Full-Day • In-Person Sessions
Register Here
QEM In-Person Training – Spokane
šŸ“Scott-Morris Center
šŸ“…Wednesday, June 25|ā°8:00 AM-4:00 PM
šŸ¢ Full-Day • In-Person Sessions
Register Here

Filed Under: Education & Training, Featured Event

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Seattle, WA 98144

206-538-0832

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Smart Buildings Center is a project collaboration with Building Potential

        

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