2025 Building Potential-Year in Review final
2025 was a year of meaningful impact and expanded reach for Building Potential and the Smart Buildings Center. Across programs, partnerships, and services, we deepened our role as a trusted resource for the building industry while supporting owners, operators, and practitioners in meeting energy and performance goals.
The Smart Buildings Exchange (SBX) continued to be a cornerstone of our programming, drawing more than 300 attendees across the annual virtual series and over 200 registrants for the fall conference. In addition, 70 industry groups leveraged the Smart Buildings Center’s free event space as a regional hub for collaboration, education, and knowledge sharing.
Our direct technical support services delivered measurable results. The City of Seattle Benchmarking Help Desk held 318 video calls and responded to 2,112 inquiries, contributing to an exceptional 98% compliance rate citywide. Building on this success, the Clean Buildings Help Desk expanded statewide, providing free benchmarking and compliance support to buildings navigating Washington’s Clean Buildings Performance Standard. Meanwhile, the Tool Lending Library supported hands-on building improvements, with 585 tools checked out over the course of the year.
Education and workforce development remained central to our mission. More than 500 participants engaged in the Qualified Energy Manager (QEM) Program, building capacity and capability for CBPS compliance. The Building Operator Certification (BOC) program also saw significant success, with over 650 students earning a BOC credential in 2025—an achievement that reflects both the dedication of participants and the strength of the program’s instruction and support.
Through education, technical assistance, and partnerships, we continued to advance energy efficiency, workforce development, and building performance outcomes—positioning the organization for continued success in the year ahead.
