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FM experts with sound grasp of contemporary developments required for sustainability

  • Extensive opportunities to discuss FM trends, research and practice with international experts
  • Case Study on Energy Efficiency in the Empire State Building
  • Meeting place for the industry including job fair, awards ceremony and supporting cultural programme

Programme: [link removed as site no longer available]

More than 700 visitors from around the world are expected to converge on Prague Congress Centre when it hosts the European Facility Management Conference (EFMC) from 22 to 24 May 2013.

EFMC 2013This international trade convention brings together the latest findings from facility management (FM) science and practice. The motto of this year’s conference is ‘Facility Management for a Sustainable Future’. Around 70 speakers from 20 countries will be speaking at the Business Conference and Research Symposium. The conference is being organised by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) and the European association EuroFM, while the event is being hosted locally jointly by the Czech section of the IFMA and the Slovak industry association SAFM (www.efmc-conference.com).

Focus on sustainability
“We are constantly endeavouring to make the conference even better. With this in mind, the focal point of this year’s conference, ‘FM for a Sustainable Future’, is the ideal showcase for presenting new research findings, best practices and trends according to the findings of global FM masterminds. Not only will the conference play a major role in further developing the industry, but it will also illustrate the value of FM professionals in an increasingly competitive market,” commented Ron van der Weerd, Chairman of EuroFM.

IFMA Board Member Marc S. Liciardello added: “Greater emphasis is being placed on effective FM as one way to improve building performance and protect assets all over the world, both in the public and private sectors. Sustainable buildings and facilities not only benefit the environment, but also the bottom line. Despite the different perspectives and national cultures, facility managers are all facing similar challenges, ranging from demographic shifts to energy management and organisational development.”

Prominent case study and “Debate of the Year”
This year’s case study will feature Clay Nesler, Vice President, Global Energy and Sustainability at Johnson Controls (JC), telling the EFMC how JC increased the energy efficiency of the Empire State Building in New York by 20% within one year, saving US$2.4 million in the process. “Facility management and sustainability are inextricably linked,” commented Nesler. “To ensure that an integrated sustainability programme works effectively, you need to have the right building technology and, in addition, people who have the proper tools and the necessary expertise to act accordingly. Sustainability is once again high on companies’ agendas, so the theme of this year’s EFMC is extremely relevant.” As a Sustainability Sponsor, JC is also determined to ensure that the entire event is climate neutral. The CO2 emissions produced both during the event’s preparations and during EFMC 2013 will be offset by supporting a certified climate project.

The subject of this year’s “Debate of the Year” will be “Insourcing vs. Outsourcing”. The debate will be moderated by Prof. Alexander Redlein of Vienna University of Technology and will feature Wilfried Hauffen of Baxter Germany, Jan Dunkelberg of Bilfinger HSG International Facility Management, Luis A. Morejon of Johnson Controls, Thomas Polinelli of IWC, Andrew Price of ISS and Hans Rijnierse of Sodexo discussing which conditions dictate whether FM services are better provided internally or procured from external providers.

Professional and supporting programmes guarantee plenty of variety
Surrounded by vineyards at Prague Castle, Villa Richter will be the setting for the welcome reception for conference delegates on 22 May. Starting at 18:00, the welcome reception will allow participants to socialise and prepare for the following two days of the conference. In addition to plenary sessions and parallel talks covering topics such as sustainability, FM in the public sector or the working methods of the future, this year’s EFMC will also feature round table discussions allowing interactive and controversial exchanges, a gala dinner in Žofín Palace on the evening of 23 May, during which the “European FM Awards” will be awarded, and a poster session organised by European FM students.

New this year are a job fair where all the participating companies and conference delegates can exchange job offers and applications, and an “Educational Corner” where current studies, white papers and other scientific documents will be available to participants. An exclusive range of excursions and tourist highlights, including tours of major attractions and the historic district, a river cruise, an evening beer tasting in the traditional brewery “U Fleku” and dinner with jazz music, will be available from 19 to 26 May to any delegates wishing to extend their stay in Prague and get to know the city better with their partners.

Support from sponsors, exhibitors and media partners
EFMC 2013 is being sponsored by ISS, IBM, Okin, Sodexo and Johnson Controls as well as Eurest Services and Ecophon Saint-Gobain. “Eurest Services is proud to be sponsoring EFMC 2013. This is the fourth year that we have supported this unique European event which brings together the best minds from academia and business. As a premium provider of international FM solutions, we are looking forward to the conference, establishing contact with industry players and helping to further develop the joint plan for ‘FM for a Sustainable Future’,” commented Rick Jacobs, Director – Marketing & Business Excellence of the Compass Group.

The exhibition accompanying the EFMC will feature presentations by various companies from the FM sector including AB Facility, ARCHIBUS, Bilfinger HSG International Facility Management, CFI, Ika Data, Kaba Gallenschütz, MainManager, Manhattan, McFelder Translations, MCS, Planon, Procos and Topdesk. More than 15 media partners from numerous European countries will also be supporting the event which is being organised by Euroforum and Informa Exhibitions. More information can be found at www.efmc-conference.com.

Contact:
Julia Batzing
Senior Press Officer
Informa Exhibitions, a division of Euroforum Deutschland SE
Prinzenallee 3
40549 Düsseldorf
Telephone: +49 (0)2 11/ 96 86 - 33 81
Fax: +49 (0)2 11/ 96 86 - 43 81
E-mail: julia.batzing@informa.com
Website: www.euroforum.com