NFMT

Live blogging NFMT

2010-03-15T07:00:00Z

Day 3 – Thursday, March 18

4 p.m.

As we wrap up this year's NFMT show, I want to personally thank all the readers of the live blog.

I've had a great experience here in Baltimore and have learned a lot of new things.

Don't forget to mark your calendar for next year's show. It will take place March 15-17 right here at the Baltimore Convention Center.

I'll look forward to seeing you all again in 2011.

3:30 p.m.

I sat in on one more session this afternoon, High Payback, Low Risk Energy Consumption.

The topic dealt with ways that facilities could conserve energy and help their bottom lines in the process.

Neil Maldeis, the presenter, first set the context for the discussion, saying worldwide energy consumption was expected to grow 60 percent by 2030 and also that buildings currently consume about ⅓ of the world's energy.

Maldeis said the benefits of energy consumption are numerous, however, including lower utility and operating costs, increased market value and increased productivity of tenants.

Maldeis also said it's necessary to determine a timeframe for your payback.

A near-term (3-8 year) solution to save energy, for example, could be to study gas-powered refrigeration equipment to minimize electrical demand charges.

Conversely, a long-term (8 year and beyond) solution for energy consumption could be to install a geothermal heat pump system.

2:30 p.m.

Rookies again had the upper hand this afternoon in winning the $1,000 Grand Prize Giveaway sponsored by UGL Unnico.

Richard Levine, a principal mechanical engineer at Veteran Engineering Group, was today's winner.

Levine said this year was the first NFMT show he has attended.

Levine also said he would use the money to pay for his childrens' education.

10:50 a.m.

I sat in on a session Thursday morning, Creating Credibility for Energy Upgrade Investments.

This session focused on how to pitch energy upgrade projects in a facility to the CFO, in light of the fact that the cost of utilities continues to rise.

Richard Lubinski, president of Think Energy Management, LLC, offered numerous tips to make sure the projects of facility managers got passed.

He recommended, for example, to earn and create credibility through performance. He also advised thoroughly knowing the CFO and what their priorities are; this will make the project easier to pitch.

The company's short- and long-term goals and projects also are important to understand when making energy upgrade decisions.

Lubinski also reviewed why some projects fail to get approved, including the fact that funding is not always available, or the project may not have been pitched well. Ultimately, the responsibility for the presentation will fall to the FM, Lubinski said.

Finally, Lubinski stressed how much value energy upgrades could add to an organization. Using a multiplier value of 10, an initial investment of $100,000 and the example of the Baltimore Convention Center, Lubinski illustrated that $1 million dollars of value could be obtained from an energy upgrade project.

9:20 a.m.

Good morning and welcome to the last day of NFMT. It's been a great show so far and I hope you're all looking forward to a strong finish.

Looking ahead to today's events, educational sessions will take place from 9 to 11 a.m., the exhibit floor will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., today's $1,000 Grand Prize Giveaway will take place at 1:45 p.m. and the final educational sessions will take place from 2:10 to 4 p.m.

Don't forget about next year! Mark your calendars now for the next NFMT show, which will take place March 15-17, 2011 right back here in Baltimore.

Day 2 – Wednesday, March 17

5:30 p.m.

If Michael Arny wanted you to leave NFMT knowing one thing, it's that LEED certifying an existing building is not cost-prohibitive.

That was the theme of Arny's session Wednesday afternoon, which reviewed the results of the 2009 survey on the economics of LEED for Existing Buildings implementation in single buildings and for building portfolios.

Arny, for example, who is president of the Leonardo Academy, reviewed the results of a survey question which asked if LEED prerequisites and credits were perceived to be either a low cost or significant cost.

Seventy percent of respondents replied that it was a low cost. Seventy percent also replied that they perceived obtaining each credit to be a low cost.

"More people are paying attention to LEED certification," Arny said. "LEED-EB buildings are a lower cost to operate most of the time."

Arny also cited common marketplace benefits of LEED-EB certification, including reduced insurance rates, sustainability of retail sales and an increased rate of office building leasing.

Facility managers may want to consider adding skylights, Arny said, as their presence increases retail sales by 40 percent.

3:30 p.m.

The luck of the Irish seems to work in mysterious ways, including if you have no Irish heritage at all.

Such was the case Wednesday afternoon when Dick Stutzman, of the Bridgewater Retirement Community in Bridgewater, Va. became the second winner of $1,000 in NFMT's Grand Prize Giveaway, sponsored by UGL Unicco.

Stutzman said he has attended NFMT every day of its existence since the show started in 2001.

"I come for the educational sessions as much as the show," Stutzman said. "The education doesn't end upstairs."

Off the top of his head, Stutzman said he might use the money for tuition expenses for his children. He has two undergraduate college students and one graduate school student.

"I really hang my hat on this event," Stutzman said.

2 p.m.

This from Ed Sullivan, editor of Building Operating Management:

Interested in an energy efficiency option with an average payback of 1.1 years? Stephanie Cull of RetroCom had one for the FMs in the audience of her session at NFMT. That option is retrocommissioning. That 1.1 payback figure is based on a national study conducted by Lawrence Berkeley National Labs, said Cull.

“Average savings in commercial buildings in the U.S. is 16 percent,” Cull said, citing the study.

Cull contrasted retrocomissioning with an ASHRAE Level 2 audit aimed at finding opportunities for retrofits. An energy based retrocommissioning project, “is about making what you have work more efficiently.” The focus is on the HVAC and lighting systems, but the building envelope and the domestic water system may also present opportunities.

The average cost of a retrocommmissioning study is eight cents per square foot, Cull said. Add the cost of implementing actions recommended by the study and the average cost comes to 30 cents per square foot, she said.

Utilities often offer incentives for retrocomissioning. California, for example, will pay for the cost of the retrocommissioning study. “The customer’s only obligation is to do everything (recommended by the study) with a payback of less gthan one year,” Cull said.

11:25 a.m.

After dropping in some sessions, I found one to be especially interesting. Beyond H1N1: Lessons in Crisis Management focused on the lessons facility managers learned from the pandemic of the virus a few months ago and how those lessons could be applied to future crises.

Sean Nelson, assistant director for facilities engineering at Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center, recommended that FMs have a plan, make sure their staff knows the plan and practice the plan.

"If you're missing components, when you have a crisis is the worst time to figure that out," Nelson said.

In the event of staff disruptions due to absenteeism, Nelson also recommended having a business continuity plan and testing it, knowing what systems in your facility are critical and who can control them and also knowing how to control systems remotely – for example via a mobile device.

9 a.m.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, good morning and welcome to another day of NFMT sessions and exhibits. Early-bird attendees gathered this morning in the Pratt Street lobby entrance of the Convention Center for Solutions Exchange.

Weary-eyed participants fueled up on coffee and juice for the day while spending three 20-minute sessions discussing important topics relevant to facilities management. Topics included Innovative HVAC Design, Energy Efficient Building Automation and Sustainable Roofing Solutions.

Day 1 – Tuesday, March 16

7 p.m.

Looking ahead to Wednesday's conference events, the day begins early with the Solutions Exchange, a round-robin interactive session that engages you through discussions on the critical topics in facilities management. The program begins at 7:45 a.m. in the Pratt Street lobby entrance of the Convention Center.

After that, educational sessions continue from 9 to 11 a.m., at which point the exposition hall opens. And don't forget about the second of three $1,000 drawings, which will take place at 2:45 p.m.

Education continues from 3:10 to 5 p.m. The day concludes with the Birds of a Feather event at 5 p.m., a series of interactive 20-minute discussions, repeated three times, that discuss the value of facilities management and the role professional development has on expanding career opportunities.

I know I'm looking forward to it. Look for coverage of the show in the blog tomorrow, starting with the Solutions Exchange in the morning.

3:30 p.m.

Anthony Zink will undoubtedly leave Baltimore this year glad he attended his first NFMT show. He also will leave $1,000 richer.

Zink won the cash this afternoon as part of NFMT's $1,000 drawing, which also will take place Wednesday at 2:45 p.m. and Thursday at 1:45 p.m.

Zink, who just graduated from the University of Cincinnati and works as a civil engineer, attended the show this year on the advice of his boss.

"I feel real privileged to win [the money]," Zink said, who also indicated he would use the dough to pay off student loans.

There was no word on whether his boss also would get a cut.

2:45 p.m.

Persistence paid off this year for attendee Rebecca Emptage, who won $50 this afternoon through the Alumni Pins contest. The occasion saw numerous attendees win the note featuring President Ulysses S. Grant.

Attendees had to wear pins throughout the afternoon celebrating NFMT's ten-year anniversary, at which point they were chosen at random for the cash.

"Yes! How exciting after all these years," Emptage said, who has attended the show every year for the last five years.

Emptage is a property manager for PNC Financial Services and manages an office park with four buildings and about 1,000 employees.

Emptage said she found the range of products in the exhibition hall helpful and even brought her building engineer this year to share in the experience. She said she would give the money to her daughter, who is set to graduate from Notre Dame in May.

1:30 p.m.

As the afternoon progresses, attendees have made their way downstairs to the exhibition hall. Engaging demonstrations by manufacturers serve to lighten the mood. Interactive booth demonstrations by manufacturers seem to draw the most number of observers. An infrared screen showed body temperature and ducts that were blowing air tousled the hair of passersby.

One manufacturer, GSM Industrial, had never been to the show before. Brian Dombach, business development manager for the company, said the show presented a great opportunity to let potential customers know about a new specialty metal fabrication product the company just released.

"[The show] is a great way to build brand name recognition and connect with potential leads," Dombach said.

Donna Johnson of Morton Salt had similar sentiments to Dombach's. She was there to let people know about a new line of rock salts the company had for snow melting.

"It's great to see people face to face," she said. "They can ask questions, which helps in making buying decisions."

12:10 p.m.

We apologize for the technical difficulties, but we should be up and running now.

Welcome to Baltimore and NFMT 2010. Tuesday started off cool, but the sun has quickly emerged and the sky is bright blue. Many attendees have come out to the show this year and are heading to lunch now. Stick with us for more content from the exhibition hall this afternoon.

8 a.m.

Times were a lot different a decade ago when the first NFMT show launched in March 2001. George W. Bush had just been elected president, the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants, winning their first Super Bowl and Enron filed for Chapter 11, marking the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history to date.

Since then, Building Operating Management's commitment to putting on a great show hasn't changed and this year promises no different. With the myriad sessions and speakers, facility professionals can benefit from a unique, no-cost opportunity that satisfies both their educational and purchasing needs.

This year, I'm excited to announce a new project that the BOM team is undertaking. In this space for the next three days, you'll be able to read a live blog I'm writing about the show. It will provide readers with up-to-the-minute observations about the event, sessions and exhibitions. The blog also will share discussions with attendees and speakers regarding their thoughts, reactions to the show and its content and anything else of interest in the FM world.

Be sure to follow the blog in real time throughout the duration of the show. And, as always, feel free to send along any thoughts, comments or suggestions. I'm looking forward to the show, and I hope you are, too.

Humbled & Grateful

2009-03-19T15:05:00Z

Wow, NFMT has come to a close and we’re back in the office…already working on NFMT 2010. Time really flies when you’re having fun, networking, learning and experiencing the latest innovations and products in facilities management!

On behalf of the entire NFMT Show Management Team, I want to send a big THANK YOU to everyone who attended the event this year. It’s the attendees, exhibitors and speakers who really make NFMT come alive. We are humbled and grateful to the nearly 5,000 facility professionals from across the country who joined us this year to make NFMT 2009 successful.

I’m looking forward to seeing this year’s photographs and re-live the many highlights of NFMT. Solutions Exchange, the Networking Party, special general sessions, new product demonstrations in the exhibit hall, the Grand Prize drawing winner – these are just a few of my favorite experiences from this year. I’ll be sure to share the photos soon on NFMT.com. You never know, you might be in a shot or two.

If you want to reflect on your favorite moments of the show and continue the networking and learning, don’t forget to join the NFMT Group on MyFacilitiesNet.com. It’s free, networking online that keeps the momentum of NFMT going year-round.

And don’t forget Facility Decisions Conference and Expo, which will be held September 22-23, 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Like NFMT, Facility Decisions is absolutely free and provides top-notch education, networking and access to the industry’s leading suppliers.

Once again, many thanks. I am so proud to be involved in such a dynamic, smart, and strong industry.

Baltimore or Bust!

2009-03-06T19:20:00Z

After more than a year of planning, it’s hard to believe NFMT is days away. Final preparations are set and we’re ready to welcome you and the other 5,000+ attendees to the Baltimore Convention Center. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, because this year, even more than ever, there’s a lot of ground to cover!

As you’re making your final plans be sure to schedule time for our special educational and networking events, many of which are net to NFMT this year...

The Changing Face of the FM Workforce
Tuesday, March 10
7:45:00 a.m.
Room: 316

Solutions Exchange
Wednesday, March 11
7:45 a.m
Pratt Sreet Lobby

Women in Facilities Management
Wednesday, March 11
9:00 a.m.
Room: 345

COBIE Challenge
Wednesday, March 11
9:00 a.m.
Room: 316

Gun Control in America: Are We Losing Control of Our Facilities?
Thursday, March 12
7:45 a.m.
Room: 327

IFMA’s Manufacturing Facilities Council
Thursday, March 12
9:00 a.m.
Room: 316

And speaking of new, the exhibit hall will be loaded with product and service innovations designed to reduce costs and improve facility functionality. Give yourself lots of time to browse the exhibit hall over the course of three days. You might want to plan your strategy ahead of time by using the exhibitor listings and show floor map found in the Event Directory, which you will be given at the registration counter. Also helpful are the Exhibitor Locator signs found at both entrances to the exhibit hall. These resources are especially helpful if you are planning to peruse the hall multiple times.

As always, if you need any assistance when you’re at NFMT, simply find any member of the show management staff. They are easy to identify by their gold badges.

Time for me to pack! Travel safe and I’ll see you in a few days.

See and Be Seen -- In Person...and Online

2009-02-03T21:55:00Z

Today’s economy demands the highest level of skill and knowledge. And it doesn’t hurt to know the right people either. After all -- we’re in this together. NFMT provides an excellent opportunity to meet and forge relationships with fellow facility management practitioners and industry experts.

Several events have been planned for NFMT 2009 to help foster networking and organic relationship building. Be sure not to miss a single event. You never know where a handshake or conversation will take you. All networking events are free of charge. Here’s just a few of the networking opportunities available:

Networking Party
Tuesday, March 10
Pratt Street Lobby
4:00 pm
Kick off the start of NFMT at the Networking Party on Tuesday, March 10 at 4:00 pm in the Pratt Street Lobby. Mingle and network as you enjoy appetizers, spirits and entertainment.

Solutions Exchange
Wednesday, March 11
Pratt Street Lobby
7:45 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.
Solutions Exchange is a round-robin interactive session that engages you through discussions on the critical topics in facilities management. You choose three different table discussions to join, at 20 minutes per visit. Free coffee will be provided. For more information, click here.

Birds of a Feather Networking Event
Wednesday, March 10
Pratt Street Lobby
5:00 p.m. – 6:-00 p.m.
Review and discuss a series of case studies highlighting renewable energy applications and technologies that can provide significant cost savings. This event is sponsored by IFMA Chesapeake. For more information, click here.

And more good news…the networking opportunities don’t end when NFMT comes to a close. Be sure to become a member of myfacilitiesnet.com, a newly launched online community developed by FacilitiesNet.com. Similar to Facebook or LinkedIn, myFacilitiesNet.com connects facility professionals from around the world, using the Internet to create peer-to-peer relationships and friendships. Membership is free and allows you to create a profile, search for members with similar professional backgrounds, read and contribute to blogs, join groups and much more. Be sure to visit booth 2013 to check it out. You can even join the NFMT Group on myFacilitiesNet.com and connect before and after the show with fellow attendees.

Let the networking commence!

The Buzz -- Have you heard about COBIE?

2009-01-09T14:00:00Z

No matter where you work or what your responsibilities are, proper communication always requires an effort. Let’s face it, it’s not easy. And believe it or not, this is just as true for people as it is for technology. Have you ever been a part of a multi-faceted operational, design, construction or maintenance project and experienced the mysterious disappearance of vital bits of information? Sometimes it feels like the children’s game known as telephone.

The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) and buildingSMART Alliance want to help fix that problem. These organizations have been instrumental in promoting a new facilities management communications protocol called the Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBIE).

COBIE is a universal, computerized system of data entry to integrate the documentation involved in all stages of a commercial building and/or maintenance project -- from the design plans to operations manuals. COBIE uses internationally recognized standard and data definitions requirements. It can save you money by strengthening communications and solving the all-too-common problem of fragmented documentation throughout project management and execution.

I’m excited to announce that NFMT is one of only a few limited venues across the country that was chosen by NIBS and the buildingSMART Alliance to host the COBIE Challenge. The event, which will take place at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11, puts suppliers and users of the application to the test in a live competition, which is open and free to all registered attendees. The challenge will demonstrate how CMMS, CAFM and CADD programs handle facility data in a real-world, real-time environment. (Vendors interested in participating in the COBIE Challenge at NFMT 2009 can contact Bill Brodt at NIBS/NASA: WBrodt@nasa.gov or 202/358-1117.)

So join us on March 11 for this fun and informative event – and be prepared to hang up on the old telephone game and enjoy a new way to streamline your project management mandates.

For more information about COBIE, visit:

"FREE" registration for NFMT '09 is officially open!

2008-12-09T14:00:00Z

With just over 90 days before the most robust learning event for facility professionals, it’s now time to make your plans. Online registration is now open for this completely FREE event.

Look at all the great offerings we have planned for next NFMT. With 100+ education sessions and an exhibit hall featuring four expositions in one – NFMT offers the best return-on-investment for facility professionals.

Register now so you can plan your educational itinerary and determine which of the 500 leading product/service suppliers you want to visit on the exhibit floor.

There are many resources available on this Web site. As we anticipate record-breaking attendance again next year, be sure to utilize the travel section to make your hotel and air/car rental reservations with NFMT discount pricing.

We’re excited to bring together facilities professionals from across the country, along with the industry’s foremost speakers and suppliers. And as always, NFMT is FREE to all attendees. Be sure to check the site regularly to stay abreast on new events and features planned for NFMT next spring.

It's Time to Invest...In Yourself

2008-11-24T14:00:00Z

Warren Buffett recently wrote a recent New York Times op-ed titled, “Buy American. I am.” In it, he advised: “Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful.” This is a savvy investment strategy -- one that obviously works for the world’s most wealthy businessman.

I’m not one to tell others to be “greedy” necessarily, but I do think members of the facilities management community face a prime investment opportunity right now. What better time to make an investment in yourself, your organization and our industry? It is a great time to invest in ourselves with professional development, creativity and a determination to work even smarter. Whether it’s a matter of evaluating best practices and overhauling operations for maximum efficiency or making investments in new products and solutions today that will benefit your facility long-term, the time to do so is now … especially while the daily news has stopped us in our tracks.

Think of NFMT as your investment vehicle. Unlike Wall Street, NFMT guarantees high-yield returns on your investment, which is actually free. At NFMT you get access to the country’s top facilities experts who arm you with out-of-the-box thinking and problem-solving skills to help you run your buildings like well-oiled machines. You also get the advantage of an insider’s view of the latest products and services for leading suppliers from around the world in the Expo Hall. And don’t forget the valuable networking opportunities. You never know where a handshake at NFMT can lead. All these returns boost your bottom line and make you a more valuable facilities management professional.

Buffett’s strong words about the state of the economy were all positive -- instructing us to look for opportunity in a time when others might go dark. It’s smart business to do so to seek advantages right now. The difference between the opportunities and investments Buffett is referring to and NFMT? With NFMT there’s no risk. Only gains. In fact, your greatest risk only exists if you don’t join us in Baltimore next March. See you there.

Thank You!

2008-03-13T13:00:00Z

With baseball, perfection is batting 1,000. I’m thrilled to announce NFMT is batting 5,000! That’s right, our record-breaking attendance this year was a whopping 5,106. This represented an increase of 11%. Of course we can’t claim perfection – no matter how successful, because there’s always room for improvement.

Soon we will be compiling all the feedback we received regarding the educational sessions, exhibit hall and the overall general experiences shared by NFMT participants. Feedback is critical at this time because believe it or not, we’re already well on our way to creating NFMT 2009. But before I get ahead of myself, I want us all to take a moment to reflect on this year’s event and celebrate all that was accomplished.

Record attendance!
Solutions Exchange was a huge hit – the table discussions were so energized, they could have lasted all day
The successful launch of the Safe Buildings Expo
NFMT’s educational conference featured some of the most popular sessions in our history – especially the GreenTech presentations
Bob Lang’s special general session, Keeping Students Safe was covered by television news station Fox 45 in Baltimore
Laura Roberts won the Grand Prize trip to Paris and the French Riviera, sponsored by UGL Unicco
Exhibit hall was packed with more product innovations and business solutions than ever before.

It’s all possible because of you. Thanks to our attendees, exhibitors and speakers. You made NFMT 2008 an All-Star event. You helped us knock it out of the park…and in this case, that means right into Camden Yards!

Again, many thanks! We’ll see you next year in Baltimore March 10-12, 2009.

P.S. – If you can’t wait a whole year for another NFMT, check out Facility Decisions, which will be held September 16-17, 2008 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas!

On With the Show!

2008-03-05T14:00:00Z

Here I am, reporting live from NFMT 08! If you’re considering joining us today and/or tomorrow, I highly suggest it you register now. The energy throughout the conferences and excitement in the exhibit hall is invigorating. Solutions Exchange this morning was once again a huge hit with the sounds of many intense and diverse peer-to-peer conversations filling the Pratt Street Lobby.

The buzz right now is about the Facilities 360 session this afternoon at 3:10 p.m. in Room 331. Four major industry associations will join together in a panel discussion to focus on workforce issues. Representatives from IFMA, APPA, BOMA and AFE will share their perspectives on trends, training, hiring, and the looming surge of retirements. It’s sure to be an informative and compelling learning experience.

Also this afternoon after the expo hall closes, IFMA Chesapeake will be hosting a Birds of a Feather Networking Reception where the topic will be USGBC LEED Ratings. All attendees are encouraged to join in the event.

And tomorrow we’ll be featuring our first ever Women in Facility Management panel discussion. “Real Stories, Real Successes” is a groundbreaking educational opportunity featuring insights from women who have climbed the ladder of facility management to accomplish and exceed their career goals and objectives. Sponsored by Building Operating Management magazine and IFMA, the session will take place at 10:00 on Thursday in room 337.

It’s time now for me to get ready for the opening of the expo hall. More than 500 leading companies are on hand to demonstrate their latest offerings and innovations. If you’re here in Baltimore, enjoy day #2. If you’ll be joining us later, enjoy all NFMT has to offer!

Speed Learning Anyone?

2008-02-29T14:00:00Z

I recently celebrated my wedding anniversary. I can’t believe that my wife and I have been together for ‘three decades’ already. Time flies. I’ve been married too long to ever have experienced the phenomena known as ‘speed dating’, but when NFMT’s Vice President of Marketing likened our Solutions Exchange event to it, I was intrigued with the analogy.

Wikipedia defines speed dating as: “…a formalized matchmaking process or dating system whose purpose is to encourage people to meet a large number of new people.” Our goal at NFMT isn’t to encourage romance, but we do want attendees and exhibitors alike to meet new people in the industry. The more networking that takes place at NFMT, the better off we’ll all be when we leave Baltimore.

Solutions Exchange is a unique and popular event that has been apart of NFMT for the past four years. It’s peer-to-peer learning and idea sharing. This year, 25 tabletop discussions will be held every 25 minutes. In a round-robin fashion, at the end of each session, you move to another discussion topic of your choice. It truly is a high-octane, concentrated experience.

Solutions Exchange is a must-not miss event at NFMT. The more participants, the more insight and industry knowledge will be shared. All attendees are welcome – and, did I mention, free coffee will be served? See you there!

Solutions Exchange
Wednesday, March 5
Pratt Street Lobby
7:45 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.

More About Charm City

2008-01-29T14:00:00Z

What do you think about when someone mentions the city of Baltimore? Besides NFMT, of course. Many people think of Cal Ripkin or the Inner Harbor. There’s so much to enjoy and explore -- no matter how many times I visit, I always discover something new.

Did you know… jazz singer Billie Holiday is from Baltimore? That Babe Ruth was born a few blocks from the Baltimore Convention Center? That Baltimore's World Trade Center is the world's tallest five-sided building? The lesser-known facts about Baltimore round out a city culture rich with history and activity.

As you plan to experience the city for yourself (for the first time, or perhaps the seventh), I thought you might benefit from a helpful few links:

General Guest Information
http://www.guestinformant.com/bacva_books/bacva.shtml

Neighborhoods
Little Italy: http://www.littleitalymd.com/
Mount Vernon Cultural District: http://www.mvcd.org/
Federal Hill: http://www.historicfederalhill.org/
Fell's Point: http://www.fellspoint.us/

Restaurants
http://www.citypaper.com/eat/default.asp

Baltimore has been very good to NFMT. In the heart of the Mid-Atlantic, Baltimore is in close proximity to significant metropolitan centers for facilities professionals such as Washington D.C., Philadelphia and New York City. And as a major transportation hub, it allows easy access to travelers from anywhere. I hope you have the opportunity to enjoy “Charm City” after you’re done learning and networking at NFMT.

New Year, New NFMT

2008-01-07T14:00:00Z

We’re always working to improve NFMT, but our latest additions are even more noteworthy. We have two newly announced general sessions that are sure to draw a standing-room only crowd.

On Tuesday at 8:00 a.m., Gary Christensen, owner of The Christensen Corporation, a commercial development firm, will be sharing how he attained the status of LEED Platinum for an eleven-story building in Boise, Idaho -- within 90 days. This special general session will provide inspiration and practical advice for practitioners embarking on their own green missions.

Then on Thursday morning – also at 8:00 -- Bob Lang, AVP of Strategic Security and Safety at Kennesaw State University will present “Keeping Students Safe.” In the wake of the tragedy at Virginia Tech last year, this general session will examine the challenges educational institutions face as they develop security and mass notification plans for their facilities and campuses. Lang will provide fresh insight as his presentation will be coming off the heels of a recent, thorough notification systems investigation conducted for Kennesaw. The session is a must for any facility manager working in a campus setting – educational, commercial or corporate.

Both general sessions are free to registered attendees.

I’m also excited to announce our first-ever forum for women in the facilities management industry. Join us on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. in room 337 for “Women in Facility Management: Real Stories, Real Successes” – co-sponsored by IFMA International and Building Operating Management magazine (BOM). This groundbreaking forum will be moderated by BOM associate editor Naomi Millán and will feature insights from women who have climbed the ladder of facility management to rank among the field's top practitioners.

The list of new NFMT offerings doesn’t end there, of course. We are dedicated to producing a conference and trade show that always delivers -- no matter if it’s your first year attending, or your eighth.

Happy New Year!

Our Most Valuable Resource: Knowledge

2007-12-12T14:00:00Z

Peter Drucker, famed writer, management consultant and university professor once said:
“…the demand for lifetime education stems from profound changes in society. We live in an economy where knowledge, not buildings and machinery, is the chief resource and where knowledge-workers make up the biggest part of the work force.”

As a producer of an educational conference for the facilities industry, that sentiment resonates with me. The obvious and most talked-about benefit of continuing education is personal and professional advancement. But we also need to step back and take a look a how continuing education fuels the economy of our industry. As facilities management practitioners and decision makers, we rely on the ability to adapt and excel. We can’t do that without continuing education.

Although Drucker’s reference to buildings and machinery was not specifically intended for an audience of facilities managers, we can derive our own meaning from it. The components and operations of a facility stand still without a knowledge-driven work force of professionals.

At NFMT, our conference schedule was developed to address the forces of change that impact the facilities management mission. And we intend for productive dialogues to emerge that will continue throughout the year. There will always be profound changes in our business, just like there are in society overall. It’s up to us to remain committed to our most valuable resource: knowledge.

Come one, come all: Registration is Officially Open

2007-12-03T14:00:00Z

Today is a big day: Registration is officially open for NFMT 2008. It may be difficult to believe the show is only three months away. But, one by one, as thousands of facility professionals register and plan for their trips to Baltimore, it all becomes very real.

The opening of registration is an annual milestone -- one that brings much enthusiasm and anticipation. We are excited to provide something new every year, whether it’s additional educational sessions or networking opportunities. We are thrilled to have more than 500 exhibitors preparing to showcase their latest innovations in the NFMT exhibit hall. We challenge ourselves to deliver something fresh for returning attendees and a superlative experience for each new attendee.

I encourage you to register early to secure your place in the premiere educational event for facilities professionals next March. You can’t go wrong with 100 hours of world-class facilities education and access to the industries biggest suppliers – all for free. Let the countdown begin!

NFMT: Think of it as Food for Your Brain

2007-11-26T14:00:00Z

Did you ever wonder how NFMT gathers all of its top-notch speakers, panelists and presenters? They truly are the cream of the crop. Speakers are actually hand-picked by the NFMT Conference Committee. This committee is composed of several highly regarded magazine editors along with NFMT’s director of education, education program manager and vice president of content development. The speaker selection process is actually a two-pronged approach.The call for presenters is a major recruitment effort communicated to candidates across the country . At the same time, our Conference Committee, specifically the editors of Building Operating Management and Maintenance Solutions, reaches out to key players in the industry, leveraging relationships developed by covering the business of facilities management. In both cases, potential speakers submit detailed, in-depth applications qualifying their standing in and contributions to the industry. Only the best of the best are chosen. Repeat speakers not only need to re-apply, they are also required to hold exceptional scores on the speaker evaluation forms submitted by, well, attendees like you!Our goal every year is to deliver a paramount learning experience, at no cost to facility professionals. In doing so, we aim to cover the fundamentals while presenting current, timely challenges and solutions, all in a free three-day conference.

If you have any ideas for future educational sessions, or want to share your opinion on a speaker, feel free to contact Wendy Dietzler, director of education for NFMT at wendy.dietzler@tradepress.com.