The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) hosted an over-capacity exposition floor catering to its largest Facility Fusion Conference and Expo attendance in years in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Participants experienced innovative new products and services across the facility management (FM) industry, networked with colleagues and industry leaders, and participated in next-generation events like the emerging technology showcase, which highlighted smart technology including applied sensor data and drones.
More than 1,000 facility professionals convened to embody the conference theme, “Influencing Change, Building Toward Our Future,” from March 20-22, 2018. Even before the official conference kickoff, participants attended in-depth seminars on building information modeling and sustainability hosted by IFMA’s IT, Workplace Evolutionaries and Environmental Stewardship communities. These workshops, as well as training for leaders of IFMA’s local chapters and industry-specific councils, set the tone for an educational program designed to empower FM professionals to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Attendees participated in sessions on security, the Internet of Things and a hands-on tabletop exercise on disaster response. On the expo floor, they took advantage of product demonstrations, career resources and FRED Talks (Facility Related Education and Discussion — IFMA’s version of TED Talks). Keynote speakers covered digitization in the built environment, leveraging leadership potential and how to succeed in working with multiple generations, rounding out with a thought leadership panel discussing how space, people and tech combine to create winning workplaces.
IFMA’s Facility Fusion Canada Innovators’ Summit is set for June 20-21 in Quebéc City, Quebéc, Canada. You can find more information, including registration and details about the historic venue at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in the heart of Old Québec, at http://facilityfusionca.ifma.org. In 2019, IFMA will host Facility Fusion in Atlanta, Georgia, USA from April 8-10. Watch for registration to open soon at http://facilityfusion.ifma.org.
About IFMA
IFMA is the world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for facility management professionals, supporting 24,000 members in more than 100 countries. This diverse membership participates in focused component groups equipped to address their unique situations by region (136 chapters), industry (16 councils) and areas of interest (six communities). Together they manage more than 78 billion square feet of property and annually purchase more than US$526 billion in products and services. Formed in 1980, IFMA certifies professionals in facility management, conducts research, provides educational programs, content and resources, and produces World Workplace, the world’s largest series of facility management conferences and expositions. To join and follow IFMA’s social media outlets online, visit the association’s LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr pages. For more information, visit the IFMA press room or www.ifma.org.