I’m booked…are you?
By Craig Youst, Redhat
Less than 60 days away is IFMA’s annual conference and expo, World Workplace, and I could not be more excited about this year’s event! After the summer we have had in the Carolinas, I’m not sure if my excitement is from the cooler weather we will have in this year’s host city, Phoenix, or if it’s from the theme – Smarter Facilities, Smarter Facility Management.
Particularly in the last several years of economic challenges, this year’s event really stresses the importance of today’s Facility Management Professional. Everyone wants to do more with less, prove value over cost, and be better tomorrow than they are today. “Smarter” – what a concept; it’s a shame that tough times are forcing us to adapt, adjust, and advance, but World Workplace will help influence positive change to make a difference in today’s FM world.
This year’s event kicks off with Bjørn Lomborg, one of the world’s 75 most influential people of the 21st century according to “Esquire” magazine, and concludes with Christopher Gardner, whose autobiography “The Pursuit of Happiness” became a motion picture starring Will Smith. His keynote address, “Start Where You Are,” will be an uplifting message to help us be smarter through positive change. Could you ask for two better speakers than this?
Between the keynotes, I look forward to global networking with nearly 5,000 facility management professionals from over 2,000 companies and 40 countries. I’m excited about forward-thinking education to learn the latest industry trends and knowledge. I’m eager to explore cost-effective solutions with providers representing hundreds of product and service categories.
And I’ll admit, I’m also looking forward to Roger Peterson and Aramark hosting the Greater Triangle Chapter’s Social Event! What a blast!
Don’t miss out on this year’s World Workplace October 26-28th. I look forward to seeing you there!
