IFMA & World Workplace - News

IFMA is the world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for professional facility managers, supporting more than 19,500 members in 60 countries. The association’s members, represented in 125 chapters and 16 councils worldwide, manage more than 37 billion square feet of property and annually purchase more than US$100 billion in products and services. Formed in 1980, IFMA certifies facility managers, conducts research, provides educational programs, recognizes facility management certificate programs and produces World Workplace, the world’s largest facility management conference and exposition. To join and follow IFMA’s social media outlets online, visit the association’s LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter pages. For more information, visit the IFMA press room or www.ifma.org

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IFMA celebrates 20,000 Member Milestone

HOUSTON—The International Facility Management Association is pleased to announce that it now serves more than 20,000 members worldwide. IFMA members are a diverse group of facility professionals concerned with the form and function of the built environment. Representing 78 countries, they manage more than 37 billion square feet of property and annually purchase more than US$100 billion in products and services.

IFMA counts among its membership facility managers, architects, engineers, interior designers, property managers and real estate professionals. Within their organizations, IFMA members are senior decision makers consulted by executive management for strategies to ensure functionality of the built environment through the integration of people, place, processes and technology. IFMA members must be willing to explore new possibilities, form plans for growth and restructure their businesses to comply with the demands of an ever-changing work environment.

“Facility management is maturing, and 20,000 members is a sure sign of progress,” said Kathy Roper, CFM, MCR, LEED AP, IFMA Fellow, chair of the IFMA board of directors and associate professor in the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Building Construction Program. “In less than 35 years, IFMA has grown to become a truly international organization empowering facility professionals worldwide. We are excited to reach this milestone, but must continue pushing for recognition of facility management and the value that facility professionals bring to their organizations. I am proud to be part of such a significant association that continues to expand its membership and the services it provides.”

Nearly 850 professionals joined IFMA over the past two months, helping the association cross the 20,000 member threshold. These new members come from countries as diverse as Argentina and the United Arab Emirates, and everywhere in between. They represent organizations including CB Richard Ellis, Deutsche Bank, Jones Lang LaSalle, Lockheed Martin, the Minnesota Vikings, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Rolls Royce, the Smithsonian Institution, the U.S. Department of Energy and more. They hold titles ranging from account executive to CEO, owner and president.

IFMA’s new members include educators, service providers, students and retirees. Nearly one third are in their 40s and nearly one quarter in their 30s. Nearly 40 percent work for an organization with more than 1,000 employees. Thirty percent of these new IFMA members have been in the profession from 10-20 years, illustrating how even experienced facility professionals turn to the association for continuing education and career resources.

IFMA helps its members face the challenges of the 21st century workplace by providing best-in-class education, research and professional certifications. Facility managers can build their career on a solid foundation with the association’s Facility Management Professional designation, establish sustainability knowledge with the Sustainability Facility Professional™ credential, or earn recognition for their expertise in the field with IFMA’s flagship Certified Facility Manager® credential.

IFMA was formed in 1980 by George Graves, IFMA Fellow, of Texas Eastern Transmission Corp., Charles Hitch of Manufacturer’s Bank and David Armstrong, IFMA Fellow, of Michigan State University. At the association’s first annual meeting in October of that year, there were 47 participants, 25 of whom were members of the association. Today, IFMA’s World Workplace Conference & Expo and its counterpart conferences attract thousands of attendees annually and continue to elevate the importance of the facility management profession worldwide

“Twenty thousand members. I cannot believe it after all these years,” said Graves. “It’s been great to see all the advances that IFMA has made since the founding back in 1980. I would not be able to keep abreast of all the things going on in this organization now. I’m very happy that we’ve reached the 20,000 mark and look forward to going beyond it. I would advise the next generation of facility managers to keep on persevering and building the reputation that FMs are go-to professionals and problem solvers.”

For more information about IFMA, visit www.ifma.org

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Research reveals more in FM industry anticipate increased hiring and spending

HOUSTON—The International Facility Management Association is pleased to announce the results of its most recent “Facilities Snapshot” poll, a survey of IFMA members that highlights the latest developments affecting the profession and serves as a barometer of facility management activity worldwide.

The survey periodically asks a sample of facility professionals a series of identical questions, with the intent of monitoring changes over time. It includes questions on topics such as space management, staffing and service provision, spending, facility planning, sustainability and current events impacting the present and future of the industry.

The most recent results of a survey of IFMA Members show a gradual increase from previous surveys in those who anticipate hiring additional FM staff in the next six months, with 24 percent reporting such plans. Industries contributing to this trend include health care and heavy industry, such as defense and aerospace.

Furthermore, though more than half of respondents expect their portfolio size to remain the same, more than a third — 36 percent — anticipates an expansion over the next six months. Among the sectors expecting growth are professional services such as accounting, engineering and banking.

With increased activity comes an outlay of expenses, and while the majority of respondents do not foresee changes in spending in the short term, there is a considerable uptick in those expecting to pay more for utilities. Thirty-seven percent expect energy costs to rise — an 11 percent increase from the previous poll — with another 40 percent expecting to spend more on building systems equipment and 33 percent predicting increased spending on furniture. As one respondent noted, “Due to new construction in 2011, anticipated furniture, fixtures and utility expenses will be slightly escalated.”

Additionally, facility professionals report across-the-board increases in activities that hint at an improving economy. Respondents are devoting more time and resources to sustainable initiatives, office moves and additions, retrofits and renovations, safety and security products, capital asset replacement, new construction, and amenity provision than in previous “Facilities Snapshot” polls.

The report also analyzes the positive and negative effects of remote work, social media use and texting, and their impact on facility operations and overall employee productivity. The results are mixed, with the 50 percent of respondents reporting that their organizations allow remote work largely praising its effect of enhanced employee productivity. Social media use and texting, though not without their benefits, were more frequently cited as drains on productivity, with several respondents singling out Facebook in particular as a distraction.

“Although the survey indicates positive growth in staffing and portfolio size, the majority of respondents say they are doing their best, trying to get their projects done with the limited resources available,” said IFMA Director of Research Shari Epstein. “Technology tools such as remote monitoring and texting from the field, however, have made facility managers more productive and are increasingly becoming a go-to communication tool with building occupants.”

The full “Facilities Snapshot” survey report is available online at no cost. www.ifma.org

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