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Dec. 9-10: World Workplace will help FMs prepare for the near future

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) will host its annual World Workplace Conference and Expo virtually, December 9-10. The immersive online experience will feature five hours of programming each day, with learning, professional networking and celebratory events attendees have come to expect from the association’s flagship conference.

Following the keynotes each day, more than 25 educational sessions will be offered, with the opportunity to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Certified Facility Manager® (CFM®) maintenance points. Sessions will focus on top-of-mind priorities such as managing through crisis, mitigating risks, developing plans for resilience, occupant health and well-being, achieving net-zero and digital transformation.

Sessions that will appeal to Education and Government facility professionals include:

Wed. Dec. 9, 12:30-1:30 pm

Let The Robot Take The Elevator, So You Don’t Have To. Learn how Otis is working with Service Robot providers to help buildings adapt to meet rapidly evolving tenant needs.

2:00 – 3:00 pm

2.01 Modern = Machine: Reaping the Benefits of Inevitable Automation for Your Facilities. Facility managers are well positioned to take advantage of the immense potential that robotics and automation present. By incorporating automated solutions into the operations of their properties, FMs can help their teams increase productivity and efficiency by offloading repetitive and time-consuming activities and use collected data to identify and drive optimal operations. How can you use robots and automation right now to augment your current workforce and ultimately drive long-term value? 


2.03 The Digital Transformation of Clean Air Management
. It is no secret that our world has become rapidly digitized, and facility management is no exception. With the introduction of smart buildings and IoT devices, more and more digital solutions are being developed to help facility managers save time, money and energy. But while we attach sensors and monitors to just about every piece of equipment in our buildings, we often overlook the world’s most valuable asset: clean air. This is especially significant amid the global pandemic of COVID-19, with industry leaders like ASHRAE contending that changes to filtration and ventilation are effective in reducing the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Thursday, Dec. 10, 12:00 -1:00 pm

3.04: Facility Renovation: Identifying, Planning and Executing Projects With Environmental, Health and Safety Risks. During many renovation projects, the focus is on improvements and upgrades. The excitement over designing new spaces can often overshadow the environmental, health and safety risks inherent with removing old materials, such as asbestos, lead-based paint, dust, historically contaminated materials and other regulated substances that present risk to human health or the environment if not properly identified and managed. This session will assist renovation project stakeholders in recognizing and planning for these environmental, health and safety risks.

1:00-2:00 pm

4.03: The Critical Relationship Between Buildings and Sustainability. While no single industry bears sole responsibility, buildings alone account for 40% of worldwide emissions. As real estate stakeholders, we must invest in more sustainable buildings, but what is the best path? The sustainable future is all electric and all digital. As the world shifts toward renewables, electricity becomes the most efficient form of energy and the only course for carbon neutrality. Achieving this takes an all-digital philosophy, providing the foundation for change; but it must be balanced with a human-centric mindset. Explore considerations for CRE professionals to meet corporate sustainability goals and achieve net-zero building status, all while improving the occupant experience and value of your buildings.

2:00-2:30 p.m. Five Roundtable sessions including: FM: Evolution or FM: Revolution?; Developing FM Talent; Cap-Ex: I Want vs. I Need; Economy: How Does an FM Prepare for the Future during an Uncertain Economy?; and and Risk vs. Reward

2:30-3:30 pm 5.01 Transition to Distance Learning and Remote Working with Chuck Espinoza. Attendees will discuss some of the best practices of an Audiovisual setup for individual video conferencing and some of the simple things we can do, to insure we have a good quality and consistent experience, every time we communicate to other remote partners.

2:30-3:30 pm 5.03 Workplace Innovator Panel: Adapting to Change and Confronting FM Challenges in 2020. We know that technology is advancing, cultural and generational shifts are significant, while the future workplace demands that our organizations deliver on an employee experience (EX) that will attract top talent. With traditional roles being blurred, FM professionals must focus on creating workspaces that help that talent to collaborate with others in an effortless and productive manner. Deploying tech tools like mobile apps, kiosks and IoT integrations can ensure your employees’ success, while simplifying your job as a workplace manager. Mike Petrusky leverages his industry insights to direct this panel discussion about preparing for the workplace of the future.

For US$199, the World Workplace virtual platform will provide an affordable, full conference experience in a format that’s not only familiar, but for many, preferable during the pandemic. For those who have never attended World Workplace, this is the perfect opportunity to participate in the world-renowned experience live from anywhere around the globe.

More information about World Workplace is posted here.

Register today at World Workplace.

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