World FM Day highlights contributions to the workplace

29 June 2011

Facility management associations and professionals on six different continents celebrated the contributions facility management makes to international business and the built environment during the third annual World FM Day on 23 June 2011.

Global Facility Management Association (Global FM) member organisations and others held public events around the world to recognise the important role facilities management plays in business strategy, organisational development and environmental sustainability. Activities included governmental partnerships, public information campaigns, networking events, seminars and workshops, luncheons, award presentations and social media outreach.

Participating international associations including the Associação Brasileira de Facilities (ABRAFAC), the Association des Directeurs et Responsables de Services Généraux (ARSEG),the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM), the European Facility Management Network (EuroFM), the Facility Management Association of Australia (FMA Australia), the Hungarian Facility Management Society (HFMS), the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), the International Facility Management Institute of India (IFMI), the Middle East Facility Management Association (MEFMA) and the South African Facilities Management Association (SAFMA).

Global FM Awards for Excellence in Facilities Management
During the World FM Day 2011 celebration, the second annual Global FM Awards for Excellence in Facilities Management were announced. These awards recognise efforts by individuals or teams in the FM industry who made a positive contribution to the knowledge, application, and communication of strategies to promote sustainability and improve the work environment.

The 2011 Platinum Award for Excellence in FM went to BBC Workplace, the unit responsible for the British Broadcasting Corporation’s corporate property portfolio. BBC Workplace was recognised for creating an innovative solution for operating large property portfolios at multiple sites.

The Gold Award for Excellence in FM was presented to MITIE Facilities Management. The focus of the award entry was on the “Passengers with Reduced Mobility” (PRM) technology developed by MITIE Facilities Management for London Luton Airport. This technology improves services to a group of passengers for whom travel can be challenging.

The Silver Award for Excellence in FM recipient was Hines Gerenciamento de Propriedades for the Hines Green Office Programme. This voluntary programme is a global initiative that focuses on bringing eco-efficiency already worked into its constructions to administrative offices.

Teena Shouse, Global FM chair, stated “It was hard to stay focused last Thursday, World FM Day, as I was teaching a class at IFMA HQ in Houston, Texas. I kept wanting to sneak a peek at the Tweets or check the different event links across the globe. There is so much for us to be proud of related to this event. I want to give a special recognition to all of the Awards of Excellence in FM submissions and especially to the winners: BBC Workplace ,MITIE Facilities Management and Hines Gerenciamento de Propriedades. However you spent World FM Day, I hope it was a good experience for you. Between now and World FM Day 2012, let’s work together to create additional opportunities to raise the awareness of the value we bring to our organisations, network to improve our operations and continue to grow as FM professionals. Thank you to everyone who supported the World FM Day efforts”.

A complete list of details regarding the Global FM Awards for Excellence in Facilities Management is available www.globalfm.org/GlobalFMAward2011.asp.