The Top 7 Conferences Every Workplace Leader Should Attend in 2017
From the rise of IoT, technology-lead spaces for the digital workforce, and new tools for predictive forecasting, 2017 is shaping up to be a pretty big year for FM. Here are seven events going on that we think every workplace manager would find valuable. You may even see us at a few of them! Here’s our 2017 short list, in no particular order. Don’t dally when planning your schedule, some of these events start very soon! Please note any listed admission prices are to be viewed as non-member attendee after sale pricing has ended.
1.GlobalCon
March 23-27 | Philadelphia
Admission $895
Presented by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) this conference hopes to “provide hands-on, up-to-the-minute information workplace managers can use right away to improve their energy management program”, and will get users up to speed on the “current generation of innovative technologies available” in the workplace management sector. In addition to the two-day conference, the GlobalCon event will host a full series of training seminars, tailored towards AEE professionals. Attendees can network and sign up to get re-certified while at the event. For a list of certification classes available, visit GlobalCon’s website here.
2. Facility Fusion North America
April 4-6 | Las Vegas
Admission $995
Facilities Fusion is a smaller, more concentrated version of the vastly popular, World Workplace conference, which is also held and hosted by the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA). Serving North America and Canada, this conference is an opportunity to meet other industry professionals who are located in your part of the world. Don’t worry, you’ll have time to learn the latest trends and predictions for the facilities management industry just like World Workplace. This is also an opportunity for FMs to earn CFM Maintenance points and attend classes to earn credits towards facilities management certifications.
3. Future Facilities
May 15-17 | Atlanta
Admission TBD
Connecting all facets of the “intelligent building”, this conference is designed to bring together companies that offer various FM solutions including “building automation, materials, IOT, renewable energy, and cyber-security”. The event also boasts educational sessions throughout the week, covering a range of FM topics from renewable energy to waste management. This year, attendees can look forward to keynotes from Coca Cola’s Sustainability Manager and the University of Alabama’s Environmental Program Director. If May doesn’t work for your schedule don’t worry, Future Facilities also hosts a second summit in Dallas this October.
4. The Culture Summit
August | San Francisco
Admission TBD
The new kid on the block, Culture Summit, is striving to provide workplace leaders with a conference focused solely on the strategic development of the office environment. They’re promising to go “beyond the fluff” and provide attendees with actionable steps for collecting “data, strategies, and practices that take you from soft skills to actual results”. We’re looking forward to what this new event will bring to the FM industry, and we can definitely see it becoming a key player as the important of workplace culture only gains popularity among talent and the future workforce.
5. World Workplace
October 18-20 | Houston
Admission $885
IFMA’s World Workplace is simply not to be missed. The largest facilities management conference in the world is a mix of education, networking opportunities and technology discovery that must be attended to fully understand. If you can only make it to one event this calendar year, we strongly suggest you seriously consider this as your option. Held in our hometown and IFMA’s hometown of Houston this year, the 2017 conference is sure to knock it out of the park. So what can attendees expect? World Workplace focuses on providing support to all professionals in the work environment, from resourceful solutions to common facilities challenges to sharing the “renewed outlook of the FM future”, there really is something for everyone here, and we hope to see you in Houston this fall!
6. CoreNet Global
November 5-7 | Seattle
Admission TBD
For the workplace leader or CRE professional looking to advance their industry knowledge by attending focused classes in their field, this is the conference for you. CoreNet Global understands the importance of being ahead of the curve, and their annual conference strives to provide attendees with the tools they need to prepare their workplace for what’s to come. Recognized industry-wide for their broad range of educational sessions, CoreNet Global is also one of the largest conferences in the CRE industry, with over 2,000 professionals expected to attend, you’re sure to make valuable connections while learning about the latest in commercial real estate in the process.
7. CoRETECH
November 14-15 | San Francisco
Admission TBD
Another must-see for the modern CRE professional is CoRETECH, fittingly held in the tech-laden bay area. Attendees will “meet some of the world’s most proactive, visionary corporate real estate executives” while exploring the “latest technology innovations impacting the corporate real estate industry”. CoRETECH, while largely beneficial for CRE professionals is also tailored towards facilities managers, building engineers, sustainability managers and CIOs. The event promises a wide range of educational content, extending from incorporating artificial intelligence into an office to broader topics including introducing the open concept to a current closed workplace and how to reach the Millennial generation.
