Disruption strategist and environmental advocates headline IFMA’s World Workplace 2020 virtual experience
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) will host its annual World Workplace Conference and Expo virtually this Dec. 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.
Keynote speaker Shawn Kanungo will open the program on Dec. 9. A disruption strategist, Kanungo has been recognized globally for his work in the innovation space after 12 years at Deloitte. He has been recognized as one of Avenue Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” and was named one of Inc’s “100 Most Innovative Leadership Speakers” in 2018.
Grandchildren of famed oceanographic explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, keynote speakers Céline and Fabien Cousteau will open the Dec. 10 program. As environmental advocates, they are committed to educating the world about our shared home, the water planet. In their illuminating presentation, the Cousteau’s make the connection between business and the environment, illustrating how Corporate America’s contribution to the sustainability of the planet impacts the overall economy.
Following the keynotes, 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.
Crisis expert Dr. Steven Goldman will present “Facility Management, Business Continuity and COVID-19: What Have We Learned?” FM technology experts Paul Head, Doug Stewart and IFMA Fellow Eric Teicholz will present “PropTech: Disruption Technology or Hype?” Together with Jonathan Bissell, Carlos Santamaria and Diane Levine, MCR, Lynn Baez, CFM, SFP, FMP will present “Your Key to Success in FM Training and Development: A Google Case Study.” The full educational program will be available soon at World Workplace.
Attendees will also have a dedicated timeframe to participate in the virtual expo, with opportunities to chat live with vendors and play the expo scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes.
Special events include IFMA’s 40-year Anniversary Celebration and Welcome Reception on day one and a Virtual Happy Hour on day two. Attendees can view special presentations traditionally held during World Workplace, including IFMA’s Awards of Excellence, the induction of this year’s Class of IFMA Fellows, the presentation of the Chair Citation and the IFMA Foundation’s IgniteFM! student competition. Recipients of the new Forty Under 40 awards will also be recognized.
IFMA’s World Workplace is the leading FM event of the year and remains the gold standard in facility management education, knowledge exchange, career development and professional network building.
“Our professional community, sponsors, exhibitors and staff look forward to World Workplace each year. It’s our chance, as colleagues, friends, mentors, students and business partners, to talk and learn about topics of concern and interest that directly impact or inspire our work, both now and in the future. It’s where we celebrate the year’s achievements and deliberate what new challenges we can overcome moving forward. We knew it was important to deliver World Workplace, one way or another, this year. Providing a virtual experience comparable in educational and networking value to our flagship event enables everyone to attend, safely and conveniently,” said IFMA President and COO Don Gilpin.
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.
Register today at World Workplace.