Sustainability, Real Estate and Emergency Management Highlight World Workplace 2011 Educational Sessions

HOUSTON—Heading to Phoenix Oct. 26-28, the World Workplace 2011 Conference & Expo will feature more than 60 educational sessions addressing issues relevant to the performance and safety of the workplace.

This year’s sessions will cover topics including carbon footprint reduction, corporate real estate acquisition, emergency preparedness and business continuity planning, energy savings, sustainability, telecommuting and flexible work programs, and workplace productivity. Representatives from CB Richard Ellis, Cornell University, IBM, the Smithsonian Institution, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. General Services Administration and others will present.

World Workplace 2011 educational sessions will be held Thursday, Oct. 27, and Friday, Oct. 28, in the Phoenix Convention Center. Sessions will follow 11 topic areas reflecting the facility management competencies defined by IFMA’s most recent global job task analysis, including Finance and Business, Real Estate and Property Management, Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability, Leadership and Strategy, and Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity. Conference attendees can earn continuing education units for each session they attend.

The recent economic downturn, coupled with environmental concerns, has left many companies implementing or enhancing sustainability programs or pursuing other energy savings initiatives. World Workplace 2011 will feature educational sessions covering a broad range of sustainability topics, including: comparing sustainable building rating systems; strategies and tactics for achieving sustainability goals; sustainability on a budget; the U.S. General Services Administration’s approach to sustainability; lighting and human health; and sustainable water management.

Real estate issues have also been on the global conscience as many countries deal with an ongoing housing slump and a decline in real estate values. Facility professionals must not only be diligent in making commercial real estate sales and acquisitions, but should also consider how other workplace design, energy management and sustainability strategies can help them get the best results for their organizations.

World Workplace 2011 educational sessions will address real estate and property management issues including how to: bridge the landlord/tenant divide; use workplace design to strengthen business strategies; go green in a leased office space; and make corporate real estate decisions. There are also sessions on: emergency preparedness, business continuity and crisis management. Attendees will learn how to: prevent or reduce their organization’s level of internal and external risk; direct and coordinate emergency response and recovery operations; apply disaster management principles to business continuity planning and risk management; improve crisis communication and decision making skills; and develop a disaster preparation, response and recovery plan.

To learn more about World Workplace 2011, or to register, visit www.worldworkplace.org