USGBC Texas upcoming events

Webinar: Thermal Comfort, Solar Energy, and Resilient Homes for Texas (Wednesday, September 23, 2026)

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Webinar: Thermal Comfort, Solar Energy, and Resilient Homes for Texas

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Virtual Session
12:00 - 1:00 PM

About the Presentation:

Texas faces significant challenges going forward into a changing climate. The 2021 Ice-Storm showed that not only extreme heat, but also cold can trigger thermally uncomfortable and unsafe conditions in homes. Associated with abnormal weather conditions come grid failures resulting from extreme demand peaks and physical damage to energy generation plants and infrastructures. The talk covers a series of physical measures that can be taken to reinforce houses against high and low temperatures, adapting behaviors in lifestyles and customs and also internal space use suggestions to create buffer zones and thermally safer areas indoors for the hottest and coldest times of year. The talk covers aspects of the physical construction of housing, the three dimensional design of space indoors, conditioning technologies related to solar energy availability and also to ‘solar and resilient behaviors’. The talk aims to raise awareness of what might lie ahead and provide attendees with food for thought on how they can rethink the design of their own homes and lifestyles to Be Prepared for future climates, as well in housing for clients and housing organizations.

Presenter: Susan Roaf

Sue Roaf: (B.A. Hons, A.A. Dipl., PhD, FRIAS), HonDEng, Emeritus Professor of Architectural Engineering at Heriot Watt University, Honorary Professor at Deakin University, Melbourne and the University of Queensland and Honorary Doctor at Southampton Solent University. An award winning architect, author and teacher, she has pioneered research on traditional Middle Eastern technologies, domestic solar energy, eco-design and thermal comfort. An Oxford City Councilor for 7 years, member of the UK Architects Registration Board and Lead for 5 years on building adaptation for the Scottish Government. She has written 24 books and Chaired of many international conferences on Thermal Comfort and Climate Safe Design. Her recent work in Antarctica and in the hot deserts of Australia focuses on Comfort at the Extremes.

You may purchase her most recent book 'Adaptive Thermal Comfort: At Extremes' here. Use discount code 26AFLY1 for 20% off!

Webinar: Community Leadership about Data Centers in Texas (Thursday, September 24, 2026)

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 15:30:00 GMT

Webinar: Community Leadership about Data Centers in Texas

Free Webinar Session
(Zoom link included in confirmation email)

When: Thursday, Sept. 24
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. (CDT)

Answers to Hard Questions about Data Centers in Texas

Data centers are coming to Texas — all across the state. And constituents and citizens are asking tough questions. We will answer many of those questions on Thursday, September 24th.

You are invited to a webinar “Community Leadership about Data Centers in Texas”, a one-hour, invitation-only, event hosted by USGBC Texas.

The webinar will focus on the top community concerns Texans expressed in five separate surveys conducted across our state.

The top 10 concerns:

1. Water Usage

2. Electricity reliability and impact on electric costs

3. Environmental impact

4. Excessive noise and light pollution

5. Transparency in the government's decision-making process

6. Location of potential large-scale data centers

7. Potential impact on housing costs & traffic congestion during construction

8. Data center tax abatements

9. New property tax revenue benefitting taxpayers

10. Job creation and employment opportunities

This event is not a sales pitch for or against data centers. It is a frank, business leader conversation designed to give you facts. The session will help you lead your constituents and explain data center issues.

This presentation is focused exclusively for Texas County Judges, County Commissioners, Mayors, City Council Members and Legislators.

Speakers:

Jonathan Kraatz
Executive Director
USGBC Texas Chapter

Jim Broughton
Chair, Data Center Working Group
USGBC Texas Chapter

North: Emerging Leaders Happy Hour (Friday, October 02, 2026)

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMT

USGBC North Texas Emerging Leaders Happy Hour!

Looking to connect with other young professionals passionate about sustainability and green building? Join the U.S. Green Building Council North Texas Emerging Leaders for our monthly happy hour!

The Emerging Leaders group is open to anyone under 30 who is involved in, or interested in exploring, the exciting world of green building and sustainable development.

Come network, share ideas, and build connections with fellow sustainability-minded professionals in a casual setting.

When:

Friday, October 2, 2026

5:00 - 6:30 PM

Where:

Upside West Village

Located on the Rooftop of Canopy by Hilton Dallas Uptown

2950 Cityplace W Blvd, Dallas, TX 75204

South: Tour of San Antonio River Authority - Sheridan Campus (LEED/SITES) (Wednesday, October 07, 2026)

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Limited Registration!!

South: San Antonio AEC Mega Mixer (Wednesday, October 07, 2026)

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Save your seat here

Preregistration is free for members. $25 at the door.

Join us for the 8th San Antonio AEC Industry Fall Mega Mixer!

River North Icehouse | San Antonio, TX

October 27, 2026 | 4:00 - 7:00 PM

San Antonio’s biggest AEC networking night is back — and you’re invited! The San Antonio AEC Fall Mega Mixer is where the region’s leading architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and industry professionals come together for one purpose: to connect, collaborate, and celebrate our community.

We’re excited to welcome the Spurs Sports & Entertainment team as participants in this year’s Mega Mixer! As part of their Project Marvel campaign, they’ll be on hand to engage with attendees and even provide transportation for those who wish to cast their vote early at the nearby polling location.

Registration Details

Free Admission for members of participating organizations
Non-Members Welcome! Invite a colleague, bring a friend, and grow your network
Light bites and beverages included — just bring yourself and your business cards!

REGISTER HERE

South: Green Coffee - San Antonio (Thursday, October 08, 2026)

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Central: Lunch & Learn- LEEDv5 Materials (Tuesday, October 13, 2026)

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:30:00 GMT

LEEDv5 Materials: A New Perspective

Date: October 13, 2026

11:30am - 1:30pm

Location: Ketra

2301 E Riverside Drive

Austin, Texas 78741

USGBC Texas is holding a "LEED up" to the City of Austin Sustainable Building Materials Forum: Design, (De)Construction, and the Circular Economy in November with an informative lunch & learn- lunch provided.

Explore how LEED v5 is reshaping the conversation around materials, moving beyond traditional product selection to emphasize embodied carbon, resource stewardship, supply chain transparency, circular economy, and measurable climate impact. Discover what these changes mean for project teams, manufacturers, and the future of sustainable design.

Presenter: Tim Murray, AIA, LEED Fellow

Tim Murray is a LEED Manager at Bechtel managing LEED subcontracts with the Manufacturing and Technology Global Business Unit. Specializing in sustainability for two decades, Tim has been substantively involved in over 80 LEED projects to date, most recently on federal government projects, implementing sustainability initiatives for US Embassies/Consulates and military installations. He has volunteered with the US Green Building Council since 2003, including the national LEED Steering Committee during the development of LEED v4. He currently serves as secretary for the USGBC-Texas Chapter and sits on the USGBC LEED Materials and Resources Technical Advisory Group. Tim was awarded the designation of LEED Fellow in 2019. A registered architect, Tim was the founding chair of the Green Building Subcommittee at the Greater Houston Partnership and served as an Outside Partner in the City of Houston’s LEED for Cities pursuit.

Thank you to our sponsors!

South (RGV): Green Coffee - MCALLEN, TX (Tuesday, October 13, 2026)

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Central: Austin Fall Mega Mixer (Wednesday, October 14, 2026)

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Save your seat here

Preregistration is free for members. $25 at the door.

Texas Roundup at Greenbuild 2026 (Wednesday, October 21, 2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Texas Roundup at Greenbuild 2026
Wednesday, October 21
3:30 PM (EST)
Javits Center
Meet at Greenbuild sign

Are you attending Greenbuild 2026? Let us know!

We are looking forward to connecting with all the Texas Chapter members on Wednesday, October 21st. We will meet up beginning at 3:30 p.m. at the Greenbuild sign (exact located to be announced closer to the date).

Please pass this along to your friends and colleagues attending from Texas!

See you there!

South (RGV): Green Coffee - MCALLEN, TX (Tuesday, November 10, 2026)

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Central: Green Coffee Hour (Thursday, November 12, 2026)

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 14:30:00 GMT

GREEN COFFEE HOUR

Thursday, November 12th at 8:30 AM-9:30 AM

Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches

3220 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723

About the Event

The Central Regional Council of USGBC-Texas hosts Green Coffee Hours each quarter, open to the public. This FREE event offers the opportunity to meet and network with people in green careers: architecture, engineering, sustainability, environmental governance professions, and more. For updates and additional information, please be sure to RSVP.

South: Green Coffee - San Antonio (Thursday, November 12, 2026)

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 14:30:00 GMT

South: Green Coffee - San Antonio (Thursday, December 10, 2026)

Thu, 10 Dec 2026 14:30:00 GMT