New Sustainability Summit Highlights IFMA’s FM-3D Conference

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) is bringing three of its most interactive, content rich educational and networking events to San Diego, CA during its second annual FM-3D conference, held February 23-25 at the U.S. Grant Hotel.

FM-3D provides facility professionals with three days of education, strategy, and leadership training—combined with tours of cutting edge facilities—to help address the challenges facing today’s built environment. Joining the Best Practices Forum and Management Summit this year will be the Sustainability Summit, featuring a panel of experts who are leading the way in helping businesses implement sustainable practices.

“FM-3D is IFMA’s recognition of the important role sustainability plays in shaping the work environment,” said IFMA Director of Education Cathy Pavick. “We’re giving members and nonmembers alike an opportunity to experience three of IFMA’s top educational events in one place at a great value.”

The conference’s first day will consist of the Best Practices Forum, where participants will explore facility practices that had measurable impacts on organizations managed by fellow professionals. The Best Practices Forum will give attendees the first in depth look at a new IFMA study about innovative workplace designs that increase collaboration and enhance productivity. Also featured will be a presentation entitled “Moving Toward a Zero Carbon Future,” which will cover how net-zero design techniques helped convert a midcentury California bank branch into a zero-energy facility offsetting 100% of its emissions.

Another of the first day’s highlights will be a presentation from Mike Moore, president of American Energy Solutions, about how changes in energy markets are influencing the way companies deal with energy costs and what approach facility practitioners can use when implementing their own strategies. The Best Practices Forum will conclude with a tour of San Diego company Solar Turbines, which has reduced its own energy consumption by 42% through multiple lighting upgrades.

On day two of FM-3D, participants will attend the new Sustainability Summit, which will include presentations from representatives of ARAMARK, Cushman & Wakefield, the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program, Georgia Tech, and Kohler.

Jerry Yudelson, PE, MBA, LEED AP, of Yudelson Associates and Panama Bartholomy of the California Energy Commission will be the Sustainability Summit keynote speakers. Yudelson will make the business case for sustainability, teaching facility professionals how they can “sell” their green initiatives to the C-suite. Bartholomy will address the role of facility management in a changing policy environment, looking at how new regulation is shaping the profession.

On FM-3D’s third day, the Management Summit brings the focus to strategic planning and leadership in the global economy, with presentations from representatives of the University of California, Berkeley; the Center for Public Health Preparedness and Research; and Workspace Strategies. Breakout session topics will include managing human capital, communicating during emergency situations, understanding and managing conflict, and the effects of the changing global economy on facility management. The Management Summit will conclude with a tour of the award winning U.S. Grant Hotel, which has hosted 13 U.S. presidents and recently underwent a $56 million renovation.

To learn more about FM-3D, or to register for the event, click here.