News

Four weeks to the BIFM conference

04-03-09 9:36 BIFM

The BIFM’s Annual Conference opens on 31st March in Oxford. Join your colleagues in the spring sunshine* at Keble College for two days of intense learning, stimulating debate and serious socialising.

In the worst economic conditions many people have experienced, it’s even more important to network. You’ll pick up ideas and information, make contacts and maybe advance your career.

The theme is “Sustainability in action - embedding sustainable FM in your organisation” but this is not simply another ’green’ conference. The conference programme covers the economic and social aspects of sustainability, as well as the environmental.

The BIFM Conference is all about choice. Delegates can select from over 35 plenary, parallel and Fringe sessions. The plenary sessions will be thought-provoking and stimulating, offering insight into government policy, sustainable mixed-use development, learning and skills, the economic outlook and carbon reduction. Speakers include Adrian Cooper, MD of Oxford Economics; Jonathan Porritt, chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission; James Woudhuysen, Professor of Forecasting & Innovation, De Montfort University and Tom Delay, Chief Executive of the Carbon Trust.

The Institute has put together a really diverse programme of experienced practitioners for the parallel sessions, offering practical advice through case studies. Subjects include lifecycle costing, organisational culture, building design, service delivery, energy management and workplace strategies.

The popular Conference Fringe programme puts the emphasis on interaction and participation with sessions on industry collaboration, community engagement, FM problem solving, career development and women in FM. You can also join a half-day visit to Howbery Park, the science, business and office campus in Wallingford, home to two top-rated BREEAM buildings.

Comedian Dominic Holland will entertain guests at the Tuesday night Gala Dinner, held in the magnificent Keble College Dining Hall.

Holding it all together again as conference chairman (and no doubt asking some tough questions himself) will be Stephen Sackur, presenter of HARD Talk, BBC News 24’s flagship current affairs interview programme

The BIFM Annual Conference takes place from Tuesday 31st March to Wednesday 1st April 2009 at Keble College, Oxford. Visit the special conference website www.bifmconference.com for full details of the programme, accommodation and booking.

Click the link below to watch a short video on the 2008 conference.

*Conditions not guaranteed. Other weather is available.

BIFM Annual Conference website