Home

Join us for our 117th IDEA Annual Conference
Rogers Centre Ottawa Convention Center
June 23-26, 2026 

We are excited to bring the IDEA2026 Annual Conference & Trade Show to Ottawa, Canada, June 23-26 for three days of education, innovation and opportunities to connect.

We’re excited to convene an international audience in Canada’s federal capital—not only to celebrate the remarkable progress driving district energy at home, but also to bring in global perspectives as we gather leaders from around the world to shape the industry’s future.

The conference will take place at Rogers Centre Ottawa Convention Center in downtown Ottawa, Ontario. Not only is it a fantastic place for us to meet, it's also an exemplary example of a building benefitting of being connected to district energy, alongside buildings like the Parliament Building, National Arts Centre, hospitals, universities, and downtown office towers.   

Registration will open in late 2025 and exhibit booths are now available!

Join with us as we convene leaders from around the world - that means you! Save the date and we'll see you in Ottawa!

At IDEA2026, We're Bringing the Global District Energy Community Together

The theme for IDEA2026—Connecting Networks—is especially fitting for the times. It reflects not only the very essence of district energy—interconnected systems delivering value to the communities they serve—but also the power of the people behind the scenes, building relationships to create a more sustainable future.

These connected and dedicated individuals are where the real energy comes from—the engineers, operators, policymakers, innovators, and community leaders—who connect, collaborate, and bring these networks to life. We'll honor the industry and their contributions throughout the conference.

Join us as we showcase how technical networks are helping cities and campuses decarbonize, strengthen resilience, and serve their communities. And just as importantly, we’ll create the space for human networks to grow—where new partnerships are formed, bold ideas are exchanged, and collective action takes shape.

Learn From Industry Leaders

Ottawa—with its many groundbreaking, transformative projects already underway, from net-zero thermal networks and energy-from-waste solutions to campus-wide decarbonization initiatives—offers the perfect backdrop to explore how systems around the globe are advancing similar efforts. We’ll bring it all to life through an educational program packed with insights you won’t find anywhere else.

The IDEA2026 educational program will deliver a wide-ranging program that spans the most relevant topics in district energy today, led by industry leaders who are shaping its future. No theoreticals here - you'll learn from speakers with real-world experience, featuring case studies and honest assessments of challenges and successes that will give you actionable insights you can put to work right away.

Through deeper-dive preconference workshops, thought-provoking panels with global leaders, engaging podium presentations, and informative poster sessions, we’ll explore the most pressing topics in the industry, including:

• District Cooling & Thermal Energy Storage • Geothermal and Geo-Exchange • Thermal Energy Networks • De-Carbonizing with District Energy • Smart Cities & Resilient Energy Infrastructure • Energy Recovery/Waste Heat/Wastewater Systems • Integrating Renewables, Low-Carbon Solutions and Electrification • Combined Heat & Power, Microgrids & Distributed Generation • Public Private Partnerships & Financing • System Development, Expansion & Modernization • District Energy and CHP Case Studies in Cities, Communities and Campuses (corporate, health care, research, pharma campuses, airports & military bases) • Community Energy Planning and Sector-Coupling • Controls, Monitoring, Metering, Optimization & Energy Management • Workforce Development and Talent Management 

Simply put, IDEA2026 is where innovative thinkers meet to forge the future of our industry.

Conference Overview

Discover New Technologies

Step into the IDEA2026 Exhibit Hall and discover the latest technologies driving the district energy industry forward.

More than just a showcase, the exhibit hall is an extension of your educational experience—giving you a first-hand look at innovative solutions, breakthrough technologies, and services designed to help your systems perform better. 

With exhibits from established industry leaders to opportunities to meet emerging innovators, it’s your chance to connect directly with the people and see the products shaping the future of district energy.

Are you interested in showing your products and services to this global audience? You should consider exhibiting. The IDEA Annual Conference consistently attracts business leaders from around the globe, including representatives from North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.  

Exhibit at IDEA2026

Build Lasting Relationships

By attending IDEA2026, you’ll gain invaluable insights into the latest industry advancements, breakthrough technologies, and best practices to address your most pressing challenges.

But just as valuable, you’ll have countless opportunities to engage in critical conversations with colleagues, exchange real-world experiences, and explore fresh approaches both in sessions and informal networking after hours.

IDEA2026 is more than a conference; it’s a dynamic learning experience guaranteed  to expand your expertise, strengthen your professional network, and uncover new perspectives that can truly drive your work forward.