The International Facility Management Association's "World Workplace 2007" conference and Expo will be held in New Orleans on October 24-26.
More from IFMA's press release:
World Workplace brings industry leaders from the world's top business and government organizations together with educators and exhibitors to focus on the future of facility management. Now in its 28th year, the conference will feature 78 educational sessions and new product demonstrations by hundreds of manufacturers from across the globe.
"World Workplace has transitioned over the years from one in a series of built environment events to the ultimate facility-focused opportunity for expanding learning horizons," said IFMA President and Chief Executive Officer David J. Brady. "IFMA's decision to hold World Workplace 2007 in New Orleans reflects our belief that we can provide a positive economic impact while giving the city an opportunity to showcase how it has dealt with one of history's greatest facility management challenges."
This year's World Workplace will have an estimated 5,000 attendees seeing green. Because IFMA recognizes the continued importance of sustainability, World Workplace 2007 has received Cleaner & Greener certification from Leonardo Academy, a non-profit environmental consulting group. Organizations seeking Cleaner & Greener certification make a commitment to gather emission reductions, offsetting the emissions caused by events.
"We're very excited about partnering with IFMA for World Workplace 2007 because of the key role that IFMA and its members play in advancing sustainability in buildings," said Michael Arny, president of Leonardo Academy. "Sustainability provides a great opportunity to advance the world's understanding of the importance of high-quality facility management. Most organizations and companies have undervalued facility managers, but sustainability provides a way to explain to CEOs why good facility management is important to their company and their brand."
Following in the tradition of last year's World Workplace, the conference will again feature the IFMA Green Zone, an exclusive section of the Expo floor reserved for those exhibitors offering environmentally friendly products and services.
Beyond going green, World Workplace is also going global. The new International Perspectives educational track is dedicated to industry trends and practices outside of North America. These sessions will help facility managers develop a global strategy for competing in the world marketplace, whether in a developing country or right next door.
This year's event is also about giving back, not only to the city of New Orleans, but also to the brave men and women who serve as its first responders. One of the highlights of World Workplace 2007 will be the IFMA Foundation's Volunteer Rebuild Project, which will help repair the lingering damage of Hurricane Katrina by rebuilding one or more of the 22 fire stations debilitated by the storm. The project, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27, has already recruited dozens of volunteers to stay a day after World Workplace ends and offer their time and talent to the people of New Orleans.
Conference attendees can add to their New Orleans experience by attending IFMA facility tours throughout the city. Among the facilities open for touring will be the Morial Convention Center, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the largest rebuilding project in the history of U.S. stadiums, the Louisiana Superdome. These facilities, like the people who enjoy them, represent the strength, culture and resilience of New Orleans.
For the first time, World Workplace will feature a press room on the Expo floor, where exhibitors and sponsors reach out to members of the media to illustrate what's hot in facility management. Other new offerings for 2007 include two Solutions Arenas, featuring problem-solving strategies from the best product and service providers in the industry, and the IFMA Foundation's student E-Poster Competition, which gives students in facility management programs the opportunity to present their projects and research and gain international recognition.
The Expo will be open Wednesday, Oct. 24, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; and Friday, Oct. 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For a complete list of exhibitors or more information, please visit
