News
Book for the FM learning event of the year
11-03-09 9:51 BIFM
The BIFM’s Annual Conference is now under three weeks away, with facilities managers set to gather in the relaxed surroundings of Keble College, Oxford for two days of discussion, networking and socialising.
As the environment gets tougher for all organisations - private, public and ’third sector’ - it’s important to stay informed and connected. The BIFM’s conference is probably the best learning and networking event for facilities management professionals in the UK.
Over two days (31st March and 1st April) delegates can choose from over 35 plenary, parallel and Fringe sessions. The theme is “Sustainability in action - embedding sustainable FM in your organisation” but this is not simply another ’green’ conference.
Speakers will be examining sustainability in several dimensions – in organisations and business, through people and skills and of course, the environment.
Conference chairman, the BBC’s Stephen Sackur, will help to set the political and economic context, along with Adrian Cooper, MD of Oxford Economics and Jonathan Porritt, chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission. Is investment in sustainable development the solution to the global downturn?
A huge range of expertise and experience will be available in Oxford, covering building design, service delivery, community engagement, energy management, workplace strategies, occupational psychology and career development.
Many sessions will give an insight into the practical challenges of embedding sustainability into FM operations. Mindy Hadi and Andrew Gemmell from BRE will ask, "Are building users sabotaging the move to low carbon buildings?" James Macmillan from Skanska will give an account of the redevelopment of two of the UK’s oldest hospitals, St Barts and the London.
The wide-ranging Fringe programme, running alongside the main conference, offers a different take on facilities management issues, with the emphasis on delegate participation, including a chance to visit Howbery Park, the science, business and office campus in Wallingford, home to two top-rated BREEAM buildings.
It’s not all work of course and the idiosyncrasies of the FM role are sure to feature when Dominic Holland, one of the UK’s most highly regarded observational comedians, picks up the microphone at the Gala Dinner, held in the magnificent Keble College Dining Hall.
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.
