14 Virtual And In-Person Workplace Conferences To Attend This Year

by Erin Sevitz on March 13, 2022
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After two years of attending virtual workplace conferences, many of us are ready to reconnect in person again. Taking the time to step away from your day-to-day responsibilities and immerse yourself in on-site workplace conferences a few times a year can rejuvenate and inspire you. These conferences are also a great way to develop meaningful relationships with other workplace innovators who are struggling with the same challenges you face.

Here are some workplace conferences you should consider attending this year.

Workplace conferences for technology leaders

IT professionals have had to navigate unprecedented challenges when it comes to equipping their remote workforce, moving digital transformation initiatives forward, and managing cybersecurity.

These workplace conferences offer a unique opportunity to dive deep into digital workplace strategies and technologies.

Enterprise Connect

March 21-24, 2022, Gaylord Palms, Orlando, Fla. and virtual

This year’s Enterprise Connect offers four days of learning onsite at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando along with online sessions. Both in-person and online attendees will have access to all conference activities, including keynotes, presentations from industry experts, and networking opportunities.

To help personalize your experience, you can choose from one of these nine tracks:

  1. Contact center & customer experience
    Learn how to use advanced artificial intelligence and cloud technologies to optimize your customer experience and deliver the best return on investment
  2. Video collaboration & A/V 
    Learn how to update your videoconferencing technologies to provide the best possible experience for in-person and remote employees.
  3. Collaboration platforms
    Get a closer look at the most popular platforms for messaging, chat, video, and the employee experience.
  4. Practical AI
    There’s no doubt artificial intelligence will transform the workplace. See how you can integrate into your existing processes.
  1. CPaaS & APIs
    See how you can use low-code or no-code API platforms to transform your organization.
  2. Unified communications & UCaaS
    Unified communications (UC) applications are critical to the future of your organization, but they are quickly moving to the cloud. Discover what that means for your communications and IT environment.
  3. Workplace strategies
    See how to use data to embrace new workplace strategies while respecting employee privacy.
  4. Management & networks
    How can you maintain secure, high-performance networks throughout your enterprise? Get recommendations for supporting legacy technologies while transitioning to new ones.
  5. Security & compliance
    Enterprises are vulnerable to security breaches as cybercriminals use more sophisticated tactics. See how to maintain security while ensuring compliance.

WORKTECH22 Sydney

March 24, ICC Sydney

This in-person workplace conference brings together senior professionals from real estate, facilities, HR, IT, architecture, and design to discuss the future of employees, offices, and technologies. This year’s speakers include Gauri Bhalla of The School of Life, Dr. Christhina Candido, Director of Faculty of Architecture of the Melbourne School of Design, Futurologist Philip Ross of UNWORK, and Geoff Sloan, Global Head of Corporate Real Estate for Macquarie.

Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo®

October 17–20, 2022, Orlando, Fla.

Dubbed “The World’s Most Important Gathering of CIOs and IT Executives”, the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo is designed to be a one-stop-shop for knowledge sharing among IT professionals, based on three pillars: business, technology, and inspiration.

You’ll connect with Gartner experts to explore how to leverage data, workplace analytics, and artificial intelligence to bring value to your organization. You’ll learn how to modernize your legacy systems and upgrade your technology infrastructure to make it more agile.

And you’ll discuss the elements of digital transformation and understand how to implement new initiatives in your workplace. (Hint: it starts with your culture.)

Though the more detailed program schedule is still being developed, you can browse the agenda for last year’s virtual Symposium/Xpo to get a better idea of the topics.

Workplace conferences for facility management leaders

Facilities leaders are instrumental in managing a safe return to work with new office designs, flexible seating arrangements, cleaning and sanitization protocols, and more. Although many have yet to reopen, they are already envisioning how their future office will look.

Discover what other FM professionals are doing to make their workplaces a destination where employees will be eager to return.

Future Offices Winter 2022

March 28-30, Hoboken, N.J.

Sponsored by IQPC, this workplace conference brings together experts from the worlds of corporate and commercial real estate, facilities management, and technology to discuss the best ways to optimize office environments to maximize productivity.  This year’s event includes speakers from Uber, Charter Communications, Genentech, the Spitzer School of Communications, IWG, VergeSense,  and iOFFICE’s Director of Events and Growth Marketing Mike Petrusky, host of the Workplace Innovator and Asset Champion podcasts.

NFMT 2022

March 29-31, Baltimore, Md.

This event bills itself as a place for facilities managers who are ready to “rethink, reconnect, and reimagine” the workplace.  There are hands-on learning sessions, opportunities to earn continuing education credits, and plenty of networking opportunities. See the full lineup here.

IFMA’s Facility Fusion Conference and Expo

April 26-28, 2022 Austin, Texas

Whether you’re new to facility management or you’re an FM veteran, Facility Fusion, hosted by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), has plenty to offer.

This workplace conference has a threefold focus: developing leadership skills, providing opportunities for career advancement, and building professional networks.

At Facility Fusion, you’ll connect with other facilities professionals and industry experts from all over the world to swap ideas, share expertise, and compare strategies. You’ll learn the latest industry trends and standards and discover best practices for creating a work environment that maximizes operational efficiency and employee productivity.

Plus, you’ll be able to easily communicate with vendors of IFMA-approved products and services and discuss how these solutions can benefit your organization specifically. At the end of the expo, you’ll have the tools and insight you need to become indispensable to your employer.

Forefront Workplace Strategy Summit

May 11, 2022, Melbourne

This one-day workplace conference is ideal for corporate real estate leaders, workplace leaders, and facilities managers who are eager to discuss future strategies for re-engaging employees in person. There will be a heavy focus on returning to the office and planning for the future of your corporate real estate portfolio. 

Facilities Show

May 17-19, London

Sponsored by Informa, this workplace conference has over 20,000 visitors, more than 600 exhibitors, and 50 speakers across five locations. In addition to reconnecting with other facilities management leaders and workplace innovators, you’ll have the opportunity to explore new smart building solutions and talk with FM suppliers. 

IFMA’s World Workplace

September 28-30 2022, Nashville, Tenn.

Also hosted by IFMA, World Workplace stands as the original comprehensive professional development and networking event for the facilities industry.

Centered around the idea that collaboration and community are at the heart of effective facility management, World Workplace has promoted idea-sharing and information exchange among professionals in facility management and related fields for 40 years.

Similar to Facility Fusion, workplace professionals at all stages of their careers can benefit from attending World Workplace with sessions on topics like:

  • Leveraging data analytics to manage property more efficiently and cost-effectively
  • Integrating new and legacy technologies for better visibility and control
  • Improving soft skills, such as communication and problem-solving

This year’s theme is Take Center Stage and includes a facility field trip at the Country Music Hall of Fame, as well as a food tour.

Workplace conferences for corporate real estate leaders

Corporate real estate leaders are facing difficult decisions to consolidate, put expansion plans on hold, or forego new lease agreements. To succeed in the future, they will need technology that gives them real-time insights into space utilization and costs for every building in their portfolio.

They’ll also need to take advantage of flexible office space strategies and optimize the tenant experience. These upcoming conferences can help.

CoreNet Global

CoreNet offers an extensive lineup of both virtual and in-person events across the world. See the full lineup here.

MIT World Real Estate Forum

July 2022

Hosted by the MIT Center for Real Estate, the MIT World Real Estate Forum offers attendees the chance to connect with corporate real estate (CRE) leaders, MIT faculty and researchers, developers, investors, and technologists from more than 25 different countries in a single setting to discuss topics impacting global real estate.

You’ll also get the unique opportunity to hear about MIT’s latest research on real estate technology and innovation from MIT’s distinguished researchers themselves.

The details of this workplace conference haven’t been finalized yet, so check back soon for more details.

BOMA International Conference & Expo

TBD

The BOMA International Conference & Expo is where the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) community establishes the foundation for all forthcoming standards and strategies.

Attendees receive the most up-to-date industry knowledge on market trends and upcoming regulatory changes as well as the latest best practices for improving efficiency while supporting occupant health and safety.

One of the biggest benefits of attending the BOMA International Conference & Expo is being able to connect with colleagues in person and enjoy networking with other members of the community face-to-face. You’ll discover key insights and tactical knowledge to help future-proof your portfolio, optimize the performance of your properties, and outshine your competition. You’ll also learn how to strengthen your professional connections and foster positive relationships with stakeholders and clients.

Check back soon for details on this workplace conference.

Realcomm | IBcon Commercial Real Estate Conference and Expo

June 15-16, 2022, Orlando, Fla.

The Realcomm/IBcon Commercial Real Estate Conference and Expo focuses on the intersection of technology and corporate real estate.

The conference will feature networking events, roundtable discussions, and over presentations on a wide variety of topics, with a more detailed lineup of speakers coming soon.

Workplace conferences for HR professionals

Human resources managers are critical players in facilitating a safe return to work and promoting an engaging employee experience once that happens. They will also face the unique challenge of bridging the gap between team members in the office and those working from home.

Creating a cohesive company culture that transcends beyond the walls of the office is another important priority.

Attending workplace conferences like this one can help.

Gartner ReimagineHR Conference

Oct. 24-26, 2022, Orlando, Fla.

Last year’s Gartner ReimagineHR Conference focused on the need to ensure fairness in the workplace, promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, development new pay strategies to improve retention, and how to evaluate performance in the hybrid workplace.

While this year’s agenda is still in progress, the conference is essential for HR professionals who want to improve their organization and further their careers.

Workplace conferences help expand your network and offer great opportunities to grow as a professional and person. Make it a priority to attend at least one virtual conference and one in person if you can to give yourself the opportunity to reconnect with your peers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Erin Sevitz

Erin Sevitz is the Senior Director of Marketing at iOFFICE + SpaceIQ.

Capterra Ratings: ★★★★★ 4.5/5

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