Decades ago, facilities management (FM) teams were simply responsible for making sure buildings were in good operating condition, campuses were well-maintained, and equipment was running well. As the saying goes, “facilities isn’t what it used to be.” Today, these teams are highly valued and respected as FM has matured into an ever-changing environment of advanced technologies and progressive operational concepts. Furthermore, it’s a component of institutions that directly impacts long-term success.
APPA – Leadership in Educational Facilities, one of the most prominent and progressive associations for educational facilities professionals, understands these facts well. Around since 1914, it has seen the FM sector evolve into what it is today. Next month (July 15th – 17th), it will hold its 2019 Annual Conference & Exhibition in Denver, and from the program, it’s evident that the association understands what it claims.
This year’s topics are surely those that keep professionals up at night, and if you’re involved in facilities yourself, you won’t want to miss out on the information to be shared. Helbling & Associates’ Wes Miller, Managing Director – Southeast Region, works extensively with higher education institutions in his region, as well as in others, and is looking forward to attending. The most difficult decision he’ll have to make, along with fellow attendees, is which presentations to attend because all speakers are going to share valuable insight and expertise.
Miller says, "I’m looking forward to this year’s conference not only to reconnect with those I’ve worked with and meet new people, but to learn more about the challenges and opportunities for improvement facilities professionals are facing today and what they foresee coming in the future. APPA has a tight knit community of members, and it’s always impressive how eager they are to share their knowledge and experiences to better the industry.”
Topics aren’t only going to be about the technical aspects of managing educational facilities, but also the pressing issues surrounding recruitment, talent management, and leadership development, such as:
If you’re interested in attending but haven’t yet registered, don’t worry because registration is still open! Visit APPA's Annual Conference’s main page to learn more. If you’ll be attending and would like to get acquainted (or re-acquainted) with Wes before or between sessions, feel free to reach out to him directly at wesm@helblingsearch.com or (724) 935-7500 x120.