Exploring the Expo and More

Thursday

5 out of 4 members who attend WWP plan to return next year.

( Yes…it’s a concept stolen from Norm’s Restaurant in Anaheim, CA. But, does it stick? Will you join us in Orlando? Today will reinforce your decision. Today classes begin!)

I was only able to moderate one session this year. I guess all the volunteer moderators wanted the same classes that I did. But the quality of the one session I drew was well worth it. It was an excellent presentation by Cynthia Smith from Vision Service Plan and Laurie Gilmer from Facilities Engineering Associates on a LEED Platinum project. The room was packed and the session was very well received by the audience.

Another great presentation was www.future.2020 by Meredith Thatcher, CFM IFMA Fellow. Meredith always has informative and thought provoking sessions and this one was no exception

One of the lessons I learned from Meredith a while back was the term “So What” . When giving a presentation or listening to one, I am always thinking about answers and solutions and making sure that the lessons are relevant and contain a solid take-away. Meredith has never failed to deliver on that premise.

Between presentations there is another huge aspect of WWP to explore: The Trade Show.

Experiences on the Expo Floor- With over 300 booths on the floor, this is a safari in itself. There is a lot of territory to cover and limited time in which to do it.  It is also important to spend a little quality time with the suppliers. That’s why they are here, and you never know what you can learn from them.

We started in the Green Zone- swinging by the USGBC booth to check on new developments with the LEED process, then visiting booths along the way, to Pacific Building Care, our company booth where we talked with Dana & Russ, our co-workers (self-serving) and then the FMCC booth (also a shameless plug). Of course, the information we gleaned from this small area was worth the price of the whole trip alone.

However, there was plenty more to learn. Some of the other booths we visited were:

• Archibus- we congratulated Bruce Forbes, a new IFMA Fellow, as well talking to Cynthia, Ann & Gregg who were all working the booth. We learned about the latest in FM automation.
• Facilities Engineering Associates (FEA)- We talked with Chris Hodges, Mark Sekula & Laurie Gilmer about engineering applications and support of LEED projects.
• Linc Facility Services- Tony Soriano & Al Smith discussed the full services benefits of Linc and how our clients would benefit from talking to them
• Bentley Prince Street- We talked with Lila Grant about the non-profit organization with which she worked and discussed various opportunities in which she could obtain some recycled/reused office furniture.

As we traversed the floor, we stopped for the drawings that Francis Kuhn was orchestrating and visited with IFMA staff at their booth at Expo central.

Then, as I was experiencing some problems with the blog set-up…so I stopped by the Press Room and Sonal helped me out.

Tonight is the designated Party Night- when regions, Chapters, Councils and FM Support groups open the doors and open the bars. First we hit the West Coast reception, where the Orange County & LA Chapters were graciously invited to join the Office Moving Alliance for snacks and drinks. From there, we were privileged enough to be invited to the Chairman’s Reception. This was held at the Stoneleigh Hotel; one of the more beautiful, older hotels in Dallas. We were in the Penthouse suite, replete with outside terrace, formal dining room, library and a side room where the baseball playoffs were on TV. Something for everybody!

We totally missed the Foundation Education Reception. Sometimes confusion leads to missed opportunities. I could have kicked myself for being pre-occupied and not attending this function.

There was also the Cort party and the Canadian Party, two more traditional events that should be included in any WWP trip. Of course, you need the ways, the means and the fortitude to bounce through all these gatherings in one night. (And also, a good scheduler)

- Bill C.