“This year’s World Workplace reflects both changes and growth in the facilities management profession–and the industry, ” says Tony Keane, CEO, International Facility Management Association (IFMA). “There is a lot of emphasis on education that is fresh. We raised the bar to present at World Workplace. More than 50 percent of the education content is being presented for the first time at World Workplace.”
For every presenter you may see at WW, there are two potential presenters that did not make the cut. “We hope everyone who would like to speak at WW in the future will work on their material and apply to speak in the future,” Keane encourages, reflecting on the Association’s fortunate conference position.
“THe education sessions are really exciting,” says Jim Whittaker, Chairman, IFMA Board of Directors. “I have attended a dozen WWs and presented at the past nine and know we are seeing changes in the program.”
“There si a convergence of FM things from technology to business intelligence to information in cities??, emergency preparedness, business continuity.”
WW also refined the layout of the program and is giving attendees more choices.
There are Levels and tracks to coincide with experience . . . ..
New Orleans is a favorite location among veteran World Workplace attendees. Thus far, pre-registration numbers are at the top in terms of recent years and hotel room blocks are filling,” declares Keane.
The Workplace Evolutionaries (WE), a group that formed in 2013, and formally met at World Workplace 2014 in Philadelphia, “are bringing a lot of unique content to the program, says Keane. “They have helped contribute to a revival of of the importance that FM can have in the workplace.” The group is different because WE is a horizontal community and not just an industry segment or a council. It can be accessed across IFMA memebership and its develpments contrubute to programming that ties into WW.” says Keane.
“Each year, IFMA collectively asks, ‘how can we can make WW better?'” This year education sessions conclude midday Friday, followed by the chapter awards luncheon, and then a free afternoon that will allow people to re-connect, network and have meetings instead of trying to fit in another session.