President’s Message: Changing Seasons
Hello IFMA-GTC Members,
Can you smell that? It’s the crisp, cool air of early October, mixed with just a hint of pumpkin spice and the slightly burnt aroma of summer grills finally cooling off. Fall has arrived, and it’s time to trade in our air conditioning woes for thoughts of winterizing our facilities (and maybe swapping out that golf polo for a cozy fleece?).
September Recap: We Nailed It (Again)
If September was a school supply, it would be a perfectly sharpened pencil—sharp, productive, and ready for business! We absolutely crushed it last month, proving that fall productivity is already in full swing.
First, we kicked off the month with the Boys & Girls Club Opportunity Resource Fair. Thanks to everyone who volunteered their time to make a real difference in our community! It was awesome connecting with young people and helping them learn about careers in facilities management.
Then, on September 25th, we got our mingle on at the CoreNet networking event. If you weren’t there, you missed some top-tier networking and the chance to check out the new Horseshoe at RTP HUB. I encourage you all to swing by & check out the new spaces!
Big Shoutout to World Workplace: A Whirlwind of FM Awesomeness
IFMA’s World Workplace 2025 in Minneapolis was officially the place to be in September. The energy was incredible, the education was top-notch, and the keynotes were truly inspiring:
- Daymond John (Yes, the Shark Tank guy!) took the main stage to share his “S.H.A.R.K. Points” on resilient leadership. The takeaway? Set those goals and do your homework, FMs!
- Neuroscientist David Eagleman challenged us to think about how our brains can adapt and thrive in our rapidly evolving professional world—a timely message as we grapple with AI (more on that below).
The education sessions focused heavily on us FMs entering the data-driven era. The biggest topics were all about future-proofing our careers, covering:
- AI Strategies: Separating the hype from reality in everything from predictive maintenance to space planning. (my key takeaway – AI is a great tool, but it will never replace us as customer service providers and caretakers of our people and equipment!)
- Showcasing FM Value: Sessions like “FM Uncorked” gave us the tools to communicate our strategic worth to the C-suite.
- Credentialing: The pre-conference courses—from CFM® exam prep to the SFP®—were packed with people leveling up their professional game.
And, of course, the Welcome Reception celebrating 30 years of World Workplace at the U.S. Bank Stadium was a legendary evening. We FMs know how to throw a party!
October (and one November) Events: Time to Get Involved
Now that we’ve shaken the travel dust off our boots, it’s time to get local! October is packed with opportunities to connect, serve, and advocate.
Mark your calendars for these must-attend events:
- Community Outreach: Bowling for Bones
- Date & Time: October 16, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- The Scoop: Join us for some competitive fun that helps a great cause. Show off your terrible form (or surprisingly great form!) and network with fellow members while supporting our community outreach efforts.
- If you’re not part of a team, don’t let that stop you!! There will likely be some opportunities to create a team at the event for folks who are attending solo.
- Advocacy Forum 2025
- Date & Time: October 21 – October 22 (Two full days)
- The Info: This is where we learn how to make our voices heard and shape the policies that impact our facilities and our industry. If you care about the future of FM, you need to be here. https://advocacyforum.ifma.org/
- Coffee & Credentials – A Perennial Favorite!
- Date & Time: November 5th from 7:30 – 9:00 First Citizens Bank, 8540 Colonnade Center Drive, Raleigh, NC 27615
- What’s Brewing: Please join us to hear directly from certified Facility Management Professionals about the CFM®, FMP®, and SFP®, all of which are designed to enhance your skills, knowledge, and career prospects in the field of Facilities Management. Learn more about which one would be the best fit for you, and about the benefits of having a credential, all while enjoying coffee and breakfast.
As the weather cools and the workload heats up, remember that your IFMA-GTC community is here to support YOU. We would love your participation at any and all events, and please make your voice heard by joining a committee! Let’s make this autumn our most productive yet!
Warmly,
Tatyana (Tanya) Blankenship, CFM, MBA, PMP, ASQ-CQA
President, IFMA-GTC