Thermal Management Systems Symposium 2026
Event Date
October 6–7, 2026
Location
Dearborn, MI
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe Thermal Management Systems Symposium (TMSS) is a technical conference organized by SAE International that brings together engineers, executives, OEMs, suppliers, and academia working in vehicle thermal management. The symposium is a forum for engineers, executives, OEMs, and academia to communicate needs, research, development activities, and solutions, exploring ways to reduce engine emissions, conserve energy, reduce noise, improve the cabin environment, and increase overall vehicle performance in the passenger and commercial vehicle industries.
The program addresses real-world thermal management strategies for hybrid, autonomous, and commercial vehicles, and explores vehicle climate control challenges and solutions on a global scale. With the industry's transition to electrified propulsion, sessions increasingly focus on challenges such as managing heat around high-performance batteries. Electric vehicles present a range of new challenges, including managing heat around high-performance batteries, conserving energy while reducing emissions, enhancing cabin comfort, and complying with global regulations, and the symposium unites industry professionals to address these critical issues.
The symposium is two days of expert-led discussions covering the most critical need-to-know information impacting global thermal management today and in the future. It is a valuable stop for anyone working in ground-vehicle thermal systems who wants to stay current on regulations, technology, and industry trends while networking with peers.
Show Highlights
- Expert-led technical sessions on full-vehicle thermal management, control strategies, waste heat recovery, brake cooling, and battery thermal management.
- Co-location with SAE's Energy & Propulsion Conference & Exhibition (EPC). For the first time, SAE's Thermal Management Systems Symposium and the Energy & Propulsion Conference & Exhibition co-locate, bringing two highly focused engineering audiences together under one roof.
- A shared exhibition show floor. Exhibitors benefit from a single, shared show floor, delivering increased foot traffic, broader visibility, and access to a larger pool of technical decision-makers across propulsion, powertrain, and thermal management disciplines.
- Sample presentations include a Magna talk titled "The Battery as a Thermal Component," examining how battery thermal management influences vehicle performance and system KPIs. The presentation highlights the battery's role as an active thermal element and demonstrates how thermal management strategies directly impact vehicle performance, efficiency, durability, and overall system KPIs.
- Peer-to-peer networking with top experts in ground-vehicle thermal systems technology and management.
Attendance
The symposium's audience consists of OEMs, tier one suppliers, chemical companies, engine manufacturers, and academia, making it an opportunity for exhibitors to have their brand, products, and services seen by leading thermal management professionals. According to a third-party event listing, around 500 people attended the 2025 event.
Registration
Registration is handled through the official SAE International event site (sae.org). Attendees come to meet like-minded mobility engineers and discuss new legislation and regulations around thermal management, emissions control, safety, and energy conservation.
SAE typically offers early-bird savings for registering before a posted deadline; in past editions attendees could save on the standard rate by registering ahead of an early-registration cutoff. For exhibitors and sponsors, SAE offers tabletop booths and a range of sponsorship packages. Sponsorship options can augment a tabletop booth, allowing a brand to be seen by key leaders, industry decision-makers, and stakeholders, with a variety of cost-effective options or customized packages available. Confirm current pass types, pricing, and deadlines on the official registration page.
History
The Thermal Management Systems Symposium (TMSS) is an established SAE International event with a multi-year track record; editions have been documented at least as far back as 2017. The 2019 SAE TMSS was described as the premier convening point for forward-thinking engineers, executives, OEMs, and academia to collaborate and hear presentations on the latest developing technologies, regulations, and applications for thermal management systems. The symposium has been hosted at venues around southeast Michigan over the years, including Plymouth, MI, and Ann Arbor, MI (2025), before moving to Dearborn, MI for 2026. A notable recent milestone is its co-location with SAE's Energy & Propulsion Conference & Exhibition. For the first time, TMSS and the Energy & Propulsion Conference & Exhibition co-locate, bringing two highly focused engineering audiences together under one roof.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 Thermal Management Systems Symposium?
The 2026 SAE Thermal Management Systems Symposium (TMSS) takes place October 6-7, 2026, in Dearborn, Michigan, USA.
Who should attend TMSS?
The symposium is geared toward engineers, executives, OEMs, tier-one suppliers, chemical companies, engine manufacturers, and academia working in vehicle thermal management. It serves as a forum to share research, development activities, and solutions across the passenger and commercial vehicle industries.
What topics does the symposium cover?
Sessions address full-vehicle thermal management, control strategies, waste heat recovery, cabin climate control, and battery thermal management for hybrid, electric, autonomous, and commercial vehicles, along with related regulations and global climate-control challenges.
Is TMSS co-located with another SAE event?
Yes. TMSS co-locates with SAE's Energy & Propulsion Conference & Exhibition (EPC), bringing two focused engineering audiences together under one roof and onto a single shared exhibition show floor.
How do I register or exhibit at TMSS?
Registration is available through SAE International's official event site at sae.org. Exhibitors can choose tabletop booths and sponsorship packages; contact SAE's events team through the exhibit and sponsor page for current pricing and availability.
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