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The world has been dealt a cruel blow in 2020. While we do not want to dwell on the hardships and dark days that so many of us have faced, unfortunately, we must discuss Covid-19 when we talk about facilities management conferences. These are major events with many attendees and exhibitors — as such, social distancing and other considerations are key concerns.
Hopefully, as we look towards 2021, we will be able to get our lives back on track and get back to the professional events that provide so much insight and so many opportunities. With this in mind, here are five of the top facilities management conferences to attend in 2021.
International Facility Management Association (IFMA) World Workplace
Held every year in a different city across the United States, the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) World Workplace event is one of the highlights of the facility management world’s annual calendar. The facility management conference has been held each year for the last four decades, and even the global pandemic has not stopped the IFMA team in its tracks completely.
Instead, the event has moved online and will be delivered digitally until organizers and local law enforcement deem it safe to open its doors once again. There is still time to catch this event — between December 9 and 10 in 2020. Dates and locations for 2021 are still to be confirmed.
The Clean Show
The Clean Show 2021 will welcome over 11,000 attendees through its doors for over four days. These attendees will be able to browse exhibitions relating to cleaning supplies, containment safety equipment, consumer goods, machinery, and service provision. They will also experience informative and insightful talks and events hosted by key figures in the facilities cleaning field. Around 450 exhibitors will be participating in the event, making for a rich experience for all involved.
The next hosting of this event is slated to take place in 2021, between June 10 and 13. Currently, it is expected that The Clean Show facilities management conference and trade show will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, but this is subject to change, as it is still uncertain what conditions we will be facing by this point next year.
National Facilities Management and Technologies (NFMT) Conference/Expo
The National Facilities Management and Technologies (NFMT) Conference and Expo in Baltimore, Maryland, is one of the most interesting and exciting events of its type in the northeastern United States. Unfortunately, the unprecedented events of 2020 did not permit the conference and expo to continue as planned, and organizers found themselves having to push the event back.
In March of 2020, only two weeks before the event was scheduled to take place, the team behind the NFMT conference and expo announced that they would be delaying the hosting until August of the same year. However, when August rolled around and there was still no change to the situation in this corner of the US, the event was canceled.
The NFMT Conference and Expo will be back, however, subject to the State of Maryland and the City of Baltimore’s regulations and recommendations regarding Covid-19. Next year, the event is due to be held between March 23 and March 25, 2021, at the Baltimore Convention Center in Maryland’s biggest city.
Florida Buildings Engineering and Facility Maintenance Show
Heading down to the southwest and to Florida, we find the Florida Buildings Engineering and Facility Maintenance Show. This event is a little more specialized and focuses on the engineering and maintenance requirements that need to be taken into account when managing facilities.
The event, also known by the snappier title of FB-FM, is designed to give all plant, facility and general buildings maintenance, engineering, and management professionals the insight and knowledge they need to do their jobs with ever-increasing efficiency and expertise. By serving the West Florida and Central Florida regions, this trade show captures an important swathe of the market in this highly populous state. However, it is also open to attendees from across the region and even the country — participants from all over are welcomed.
The event was held on August 5, 2020, at Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida. It is likely that the event will be held in the same location, and at a similar time, next year. However, it is advised to check nearer the time to be certain before you plan your schedule around it.
International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) Show
The International Sanitary Supply Association, or ISSA, is among the best developed and best represented international association in the cleaning market. As such, the annual convention and show is one of the highlights of the year in the facilities management and cleaning fields.
This is an important opportunity to learn more about the latest best practices in materials handling, check out the latest products and equipment, and network with other professionals and potential future partners.
In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic and associated restrictions forced a change of shape and approach for the ISSA show, as its team grappled with the new limitations. The result was a virtual version of the show, which was held between November 16 and November 19, 2020.
In 2021, we can expect the show to be held at a similar time, mid to late November. Hopefully, ISSA will also be able to return to its planned venue at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. It is advisable to check closer to the time to confirm the date and time for the 2021 event.
Stay Informed, Stay Engaged, and Stay Safe
Trade shows and facilities management conventions are great for staying informed on the latest developments in your field and for staying engaged in your market. Go to as many as you can, and maximize the advantages you receive — just remember to stay safe and healthy when you do.