Time to Refresh Ideas

17 September 2008

Next month’s Working Buildings Week offers the best opportunity in the country for accessing information, ideas and contacts for FMs to develop sustainable and efficient building management and business support strategies. Make a date for your diary

TIGHTER BUDGETS, AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE and worrying economic indicators are fostering a gloomy
business environment. Some might think it is time to keep your head down and try to hold on. Others say this is just the time to refresh your ideas, find out what is new, rethink your strategies and meet new people as the only way to find your way through the bad times.

There has probably never been such a focus on the built environment in the boardroom. Energy costs have put the spotlight on the amount business premises consume when there is little control. Putting the energy rating of buildings on the front door will have an impact on both investment property values at a time of market uncertainty. The spotlight is on building maintenance as a key factor for establishing and maintaining the efficient operation of workplaces of all kinds.

The role of the facilities manager is central to these and many other current business concerns. The close association of FM with business performance has never been clearer as boards seek to reduce costs though their property holdings and support services. This is no time to just keep you head down.

Last year’s combination of Total Workplace Management, Energy Solutions Expo and M&E proved to be a big success as visitors found plenty of interest in all three shows under the Working Buildings Week banner. This formula is maintained with a strong sustainability theme at all events (see over page).

PFM's new e-newsletter, FM Innovation, will be featuring the new products and services to be seen at Working Buildings Week. For information contact sophie.sands@imlgroup.co.uk.

ROADMAP TO SUSTAINABILITY
Free Seminars on 8th & 9th October that form a step-by-step guide towards more sustainable businesses
Topics include
....Carbon – the measure of sustainability
....Designing your business to reduce CO2 emissions
....Measure your impact on the environment
....Energy labelling - new rules and responsibilities
....Managing and measuring your energy use
....Carbon - financing, offsetting and trading
....Green technologies and renewable solutions

GREEN FM TRAIL
The Green FM Trail returns for another year highlighting those exhibitors offering products and services designed to meet environmental challenges and reduce environmental impact for a more efficient and sustainable workplace. Lookout for the tree symbols on selected stands.

THE FM LEARNING ZONE
The FM Learning Zone offers strategic FM commentary and practical advice to support the FM function throughout the organisation. For a full programme call BIFM Training on: 020 7404 4440.

OFFICE OF THE FUTURE
Experience a revolutionary 3D CAD (or BIM) based platform to interact with a virtual project focusing on it’s design, energy and FM. The model and demonstration covers systems and components in 3D, with technical specifications and ordering details embedded. The area also demonstrates touch screen technology, and AV solutions for businesses, HD Video Communication Systems for environmentally conscious businesses wanting to reduce their carbon footprint and the World’s Largest Plasma Screen

MANAGING SAFETY & HEALTH AREA
Safety and health is the responsibility of every FM so this section dedicated to safety and health products is a 'must see'. The Managing Safety & Health Seminar Theatre has free seminars on both days covering changes in legislation, new regulations in noise at work and site management as well as staff training and environmental compliance.

SUSTAINABILITY STARTER PACK
All visitors to the shows will receive a free Sustainability Starter Pack comprising information on sustainability from all the key associations including: The National Energy Foundation, CIBSE, ECA, BIFM, BSRIA, Carbon Trust, HVCA and FETA such as guidelines, headline information, case studies and references to further sources. An indispensible guide for every visitor.

FM ACADEMY
A series of presentations and debates over the 2 days that will provoke thought and action on energy efficiency, including
....Smart archiving
....Improving data collection and FM service management through mobile working technology
....Creating the sustainable office
....Retrofitting green roofs
....Efficient time and space management

M&E TRAINING ACADEMY sponsored by Summit Skills
A series of free seminars forming a step-by-step guide to achieving a more sustainable business. Compiled in conjunction with all the leading associations, institutes and groups including: CIBSE and the ECA. The seminars include guidelines, advice and information from opinion formers in the M&E sector.
Topics include:
....The big debate: Why aren’t sustainable buildings happening
....The role of the contractor in energy efficient buildings
....Commissioning for energy efficient buildings
....Approaches to energy efficient cooling for today’s buildings
....Modelling for successful sustainable buildings

INNOVATION AWARDS
Once again the Working Buildings Week Innovation Awards will celebrate innovation and business
excellence in the products and services that are on show and designed to provide for the efficient and
effective management of the built environment.

RECYCLING PARTNER
Following its success in 2007, Bywaters (Stand G10) will the official recycling partner for Total Workplace Management. Bywaters will be collecting waste materials throughout the show, which will be processed at its new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Bow, East London.

WORKING BUILDINGS WEEK
Olympia Grand Hall, London
Tuesday and Wednesday
8th and 9th October
09.00 to 17.00 both days
www.working-buildings.com