#insights

In the fast-paced, experience-driven events industry, the success of a conference no longer hinges solely on compelling speakers or a flawless program. Increasingly, it depends on invisible factors such as thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and energy sustainability. Attendees now expect more than just a seat in the audience—they expect an environment that supports concentration, networking, and overall well-being. Facility managers and event organizers face growing pressure to meet these expectations while optimizing operational efficiency and reducing energy costs. This is where the virtual operator Respira comes into play.

Designed to adapt and transform the operation of large venues, Respira provides an intelligent, scalable approach to facility management, with a strong focus on optimizing HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems. The system collects millions of data points from sensors, weather forecasts, the venue’s BMS (building management system), and event schedules, enabling it to operate facilities optimally. This adds a new layer of intelligence to how events are currently managed.

Imagine walking into a conference on a sweltering day in May. Outside, the sun beats down relentlessly. Inside, the air is fresh, the temperature is just right. It’s no coincidence. It’s intelligent technology working silently for you—and every other attendee.

Today, the success of an event isn’t just about a stellar lineup or a strong agenda. It’s also about the things you don’t see: thermal comfort, air quality, and energy efficiency. Invisible, but essential factors.

Powered by artificial intelligence algorithms, Respira manages climate control systems in large venues, transforming conferences into more comfortable and sustainable experiences. And this May—one of the busiest months of the year for events—is the perfect time to see its impact.

• The challenges of managing conferences in large venues

Controlling climate and air quality during a conference is a complex task. These events typically feature variable occupancy levels, high density in specific areas, sessions of different durations, and diverse thermal preferences depending on demographics and activities. On top of that, the architectural variety within a venue—from large auditoriums to meeting rooms and exhibition halls—demands distinct responses from HVAC systems.

Conferences present:

• Fluctuating occupancy levels
• High concentrations of people in certain areas
• Sessions of varying lengths
• Thermal preferences based on activities or audience profiles

Traditional systems—whether manual or rule-based automated ones—often fall short. The result: cold or overheated zones, stale air, unnecessary energy spikes, and an uneven experience.

• Respira in action: smart climate control for dynamic environments

Respira is specifically designed to tackle this complexity. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning, it predicts how spaces and systems will behave and dynamically manages HVAC systems, adjusting both to real-time conditions and future forecasts. It delivers value before, during, and after a conference:

• 1. Before the conference: proactive optimization

Even before the first attendee arrives, Respira is already at work, ensuring that optimal conditions are met by the start time. Its algorithms:

• Analyze historical usage patterns from similar events
• Integrate weather forecasts to anticipate thermal loads
• Estimate expected occupancy by zone throughout the day

With this data, Respira preconditions spaces with ideal ventilation and temperatures. It knows, for instance, that Room A will fill up faster than Room B at 9:00 AM and adjusts the system accordingly—without human intervention. This not only enhances comfort from the outset but also prevents energy spikes caused by sudden HVAC use.

• 2. During the conference: real-time adjustments and air quality control

Throughout the event, Respira continuously predicts how it will unfold. A network of environmental and occupancy sensors feeds the system with live data. Its AI models dynamically regulate HVAC systems per zone to:

• Maintain consistent thermal comfort, avoiding cold drafts or hot spots
• Ensure superior air quality with constant CO₂, humidity, and pollutant monitoring
• Minimize energy waste by adapting ventilation and temperature to actual needs

For example, if a session runs longer than expected and occupancy increases, Respira detects the change, anticipates the resulting rise in temperature and CO₂ levels, and automatically adjusts ventilation—no manual input needed. Likewise, if a room empties between sessions, the system intelligently scales down ventilation and cooling, conserving energy without compromising the comfort of the next group.

• 3. After the conference: analysis and continuous improvement

Once the event concludes, Respira continues working. Its platform processes and analyzes all collected data and generates detailed reports that include:

• Percentage of time within optimal thermal range
• Air quality assessment during peak hours
• Energy consumption per session or area, identifying inefficiencies
• Carbon footprint impact of each event and space

This post-event data allows venue managers and clients to share impact-related KPIs with event stakeholders and make informed decisions for future events. It also supports ESG reporting by demonstrating energy savings and sustainable improvements through AI-based HVAC control.

• Measurable benefits for clients and attendees

For conference organizers:

• Greater attendee satisfaction due to consistent comfort
• Real-time alerts and diagnostics for air quality issues
• Better planning and forecasting for future editions

For facility managers:

• Reduced need for manual intervention, freeing up focus for strategic tasks
• Optimized HVAC operations with energy savings of 15% to 30%
• Real-time dashboards and historical analytics
• Anomaly detection that informs smarter investment decisions

For attendees:

• Comfortable environments that promote focus and engagement
• Confidence in air quality and overall safety—especially in the post-pandemic era
• A system for the future of smart events

What sets Respira apart isn’t just its technical sophistication, rooted in artificial intelligence, but its deep alignment with the real needs of large venues. Whether managing a single conference or an entire season of events, Respira offers a scalable, machine-learning-powered, customer-oriented solution that turns complexity into an opportunity for optimization.

Its platform features intuitive dashboards and easily integrates with building management systems (BMS), while its modular architecture ensures it can evolve alongside the venue’s changing needs.

As conferences become more immersive, data-driven, and sustainability-conscious, platforms like Respira move from being mere operational tools to becoming essential infrastructure.