Welcome to the website of the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA), Piedmont Triad Chapter.

IFMA is a member-centered association that exists to guide and develop facility management professionals. In support of its members, IFMA promotes the Facility Management profession by providing leadership, recognition and standards of excellence.

IFMA is the world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for professional facility managers, supporting 22,655 members in 78 countries. The association’s members, represented in 127 chapters and 16 councils worldwide, manage more than 27 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 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 associations Linkedin, Facebook, You Tube, and Twitter pages.

COME JOIN US FOR THE JUNE IFMA MEETING!

The Piedmont Triad Chapter of the International Facility Management Association will meet

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Magnolia Manor

8818 West Market Street, Colfax, NC 27235 from 11:30AM – 1:00PM.

Speaker: Patrick Welsh – Topic: Project Management

$20 for nonmembers / $10 for members. To Pay by Credit Card visit our website at http://ifmatriad.org/180-2/events/

*Please remember that if you RSVP & you wind up not being able to attend, let Cathy Burke at cathy.burke@hanesbrands.com know 3 days prior to the meeting so you are not charged for the meeting.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Date is set for the 2013 Mini Golf Tournament Click Here to go to the 2013 Mini Golf page

April Meeting Recap

In April, our topic was “Effective Ventilation Improvements for Savings and Efficiency” presented by Jonathan Hale. Jonathan is a local graduate of Wake Forest University. His background with the EPA and Douglas Battery has led him to founding his own businesses in environmental technologies. He is the current founder and co-owner of Air Systems Solutions Inc. in Advance, NC. The presentation covered various air pollution control systems and energy saving solutions through effective ventilation. It was a very engaging presentation and discussion for our members and visitors.

March Meeting Recap

In March, our topic was “Design Forecast Trends in the Workplace” presented by Janet Pogue and John Gaulden from Gensler. Janet, from the DC Office, has been instrumental in Gensler’s 2008 and 2013 Workplace Surveys. John brought more of a local flavor being from the Raleigh and Charlotte Offices. We invited our partners in the design community and provided CFM and AIA points. Janet and John discussed the following trends:

Economy: In the past, companies were focused on their people with any savings going back to them. Today companies are serious about the bottom line, cutting costs and resources.
Future Proofing: Organizations have to determine the proper amount of flexibility and how to get more life out of a building. An example was a sales office that is being designed for 4,500 staff today that may need to accommodate 6,000 in the future.
Rethink ROI: We need to help people work better by balancing people, technology, and real estate.
Campus preference: In the past some companies encouraged more work at home or work anywhere any time. Today, some of these same companies are bringing people back together in a campus environment to improve teamwork.
Millenial influence: This group craves work/life balance and flexibility. They do not like to be told you have sit in this space or work this way. Thirty five percent of companies have a mobility program where there is not a 1-to-1 seating ratio.
Catalyzing Connection: We come to the office to be part of something, brainstorm in person, knit the organization together, and renew the mission.
Non-linear work processes: Processes are multifunctional, collaborative, flexible, and networked today.
Supporting Focus Work: We must continue to determine how to avoid interruptions and noise. If we do not get this right, nothing else works.

We enjoyed an engaging conversation on the trends and appreciated the insights presented. It inspired us to take these ideas and incorporate them into our future workplace planning.

January Meeting Recap

Our January meeting was our annual Piedmont Triad economic update. John Shoffner, Economic Development Program Manager for Greensboro, and Garrett Owens, VP Winston-Salem Business, President, Winston-Salem Business, Inc. were our two speakers. John highlighted Honda Jet expansion, and Garrett highlighted Herbalife bringing 600 jobs to the area. Both speakers had positive things to say about 2012 and continued economic improvement for 2013. We had 37 members/guests in attendance.