The McMorrow Reports + FMLink editors have selected education sessions at NFMT of interest to the professionals in education and government facilities, listed below:

• K-12 Schools Panel: Capital Improvement Planning. Presented by Dr. Alicia Hart, Chief Operating Officer, Alexandria City Public Schools and Dr. Lynette K. Washington, Chief Operating Officer, Baltimore Public Schools
• Fire Sprinkler System Monitoring: Past, Present, and Future. Presented by Jason Webb, Industry Affairs Consultant, Potter Electric Signal Company
• The DOGE Initiative: Shaping the Future of Government and FM. Presented by Paul Head, II, Director, Nuvolo
• Facility Resilience: Proactive Maintenance and Emergency Planning Blueprint. Presented by: David Trask, National Director, ARC Facilities
• The FM’s Guide to AI-Powered Maintenance: Building the Data Foundation. Presented by Nick Haase, Co-Founder, MaintainX and Andi Seabeck, Facility Management Market Leader, Camcode
• So, you think ADA went away?? Well . . . it didn’t. Presented by Joan W. Stein, President,
  Stein Consulting LL
• AI in 2025: What We’ve Learned & What’s Next. Presented by: Josh Lowe, Co-founder and Chief Solution Engineer, AkitaBox
• Emergency Disaster Response & Mitigation: Before & After the Storm. Presented by: Daniel Isackson, Technical Director, Architectural Engineering, Rimkus
• Empowering the Next Generation of FM. Presented by: John Rimer, CFM, president, FM360 Consulting
• Climate Adaptation: Decarbonization and Resilience in LEED v5. Presented by: Melissa Baker, Senior Vice President, Technical Development, U.S. Green Building Council
• If Buildings Could Talk: Investing in Health for Facility Managers. Presented by: Whitney Austin Gray, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Research, International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)

One more key event is the Women in FM Panel & Reception on Wednesday, March 26, that brings together industry women for a frank discussion of work‐life integration, authenticity, accountability and community. All Pro and Elite attendees are welcome to join the dialogue and bring their views to the discussion. At 4:30 p.m., a Women in Industry reception will bring attendees from NFMT and the Clean Buildings Conference together to continue the conversation.

The 50‐minute conference sessions provide a comprehensive exploration of facilities management concepts and applications, covering crucial aspects such as technology, maintenance, operations, and space management. By delving into key trends including technology integration, safety and wellness, energy efficiency and sustainable practices, participants gain a deep understanding of how these cross‐functional elements significantly influence and shape effective facilities strategies.

Other sessions the editors recommend are covered here: “March 25-27: More than 100,000 facilities professionals have attended NFMT. Will you join them in Baltimore for training, networking and product discovery?”

“Empowering People. Advancing Practice.” That’s the theme for NFMT in Baltimore. It offers tiered pricing with free admission to the expo, followed by the $79 ProLevel, and the $149 Elite Level. Conference Sessions and Huddles are open to Pro and Elite attendees while Learning Labs held at the Expo’s designated Product Zones, offer valuable education for all attendees.

More than 300 exhibitors will be present on the expo floor.

The post Capital improvement, DOGE initiatives, fire sprinkler systems, how AI is powering maintenance are among the sessions of interest to education and government FMs during NFMT 2025, March 25-27, Baltimore appeared first on FMLink.

2024-25 ASHRAE President M. Dennis Knight, P.E., BEMP, Fellow / Life Member, said:

This benefit underscores our dedication to providing a comprehensive learning experience by pairing expert instruction with a complimentary publication. Together, these resources not only enhance knowledge retention but also empower professionals to apply their skills effectively in advancing their careers and the industry.

Participants will receive a link, which will be available for 30 days, to download the publication.

The free publication aims to attract a broad audience, including those who may have hesitated to enroll in an ALI course in the past. By providing a tangible resource alongside expert instruction, ASHRAE demonstrates its dedication to empowering professionals across all experience levels.

Registrants should note that no substitutions or hard copies of the publication are available as part of this offer.

For the schedule of online instructor-led course offerings through ALI, see ASHRAE’s Online Instructor-Led Training.

The post ASHRAE Learning Institute offers free publication with online HVAC course registration appeared first on FMLink.

Education sessions of interest to the healthcare setting include:

• Fire Sprinkler System Monitoring: Past, Present, and Future. Presented by Jason Webb, Industry Affairs Consultant, Potter Electric Signal Company
• Fall Protection or Fall Prevention?. Presented by Rob Brauch, COHC, President, Occupational Health and Safety Solutions
• The FM’s Guide to AI-Powered Maintenance: Building the Data Foundation. Presented by Nick Haase, Co-Founder, MaintainX, and Andi Seabeck, Facility Management Market Leader, Camcode
• 150-Year-Old As-Builts + 165 New Caissons – How One GC Eliminated Big Headaches for an Ohio Medical Center: Mercy Health’s St. Vincent Medical Center, Toledo

Other sessions the editors recommend for March 25 and 26 are covered here: “March 25-27: More than 100,000 facilities professionals have attended NFMT. Will you join them in Baltimore for training, networking and product discovery?”

The 50‐minute conference sessions provide a comprehensive exploration of facilities management concepts and applications, covering crucial aspects such as technology, maintenance, operations, and space management. By delving into key trends including technology integration, safety and wellness, energy efficiency and sustainable practices, participants gain a deep understanding of how these cross‐functional elements significantly influence and shape effective facilities strategies.

“Empowering People. Advancing Practice.” That’s the theme for NFMT in Baltimore. It offers tiered pricing with free admission to the expo, followed by the $79 ProLevel, and the $149 Elite Level. Conference Sessions and Huddles are open to Pro and Elite attendees while Learning Labs held at the Expo’s designated Product Zones, offer valuable education for all attendees.

More than 300 exhibitors will be present on the expo floor.

To learn more about sessions on Thursday, March 27, we recommended these:

AI in 2025: What We’ve Learned & What’s Next. Presented by: Josh Lowe, Co-founder and Chief Solution Engineer, AkitaBox

Emergency Disaster Response & Mitigation: Before & After the Storm. Presented by: Daniel Isackson, Technical Director, Architectural Engineering, Rimkus

Empowering the Next Generation of FM. Presented by: John Rimer, CFM, president, FM360 Consulting

Climate Adaptation: Decarbonization and Resilience in LEED v5. Presented by: Melissa Baker, Senior Vice President, Technical Development, U.S. Green Building Council

If Buildings Could Talk: Investing in Health for Facility Managers. Presented by: Whitney Austin Gray, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Research, International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)

One more key event is the Women in FM Panel & Reception on Wednesday, March 26, that brings together industry women for a frank discussion of work‐life integration, authenticity, accountability and community. All Pro and Elite attendees are welcome to join the dialogue and bring their views to the discussion. Keep the conversation going at a 4:30 Women in Industry reception that brings attendees from NFMT and the Clean Buildings Conference together to continue the conversation over drinks and appetizers.

The post Fall prevention, fire sprinkler systems and how AI is powering maintenance are among the sessions of interest to healthcare FMs during NFMT, March 25-27, Baltimore appeared first on FMLink.

Coverings 2025 is set to offer attendees an unmatched array of educational experiences, including live demonstrations, interactive learning sessions, expert Q&A panels, partner-led education, live podcasts and much more. These edifying opportunities have been planned for all business segments of the tile and stone industry, including architecture and design (A&D), and will equip professionals with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills to elevate their work and grow their businesses.

Jamie Rich, show director for Coverings 2025, stated:

We are proud to provide a platform where professionals can engage through groundbreaking ideas, innovative techniques and eye-catching trends to inspire their growth and success. Showgoers will have unparalleled opportunities to personalize their educational experiences by attending sessions focused on one or more of Coverings’ four core tenets, including Sustainability, Health & Wellness, Outdoor Spaces and Timeless Luxury, and choosing topics most relevant to their interests and professional goals.

Education at Coverings 2025, comprising nearly 30 unique sessions on a wide range of enriching topics, has been thoughtfully designed to foster career advancement, business development and increased revenue for tile and stone industry members and stakeholders. The sessions are strategically organized into three key learning tracks — Installation & Fabrication, Materials & Trends, and Workforce & Profits — ensuring a well-rounded and impactful learning experience for all participants.

Show registrants can explore the full scope of educational sessions and partner programs, including dates, times and locations of all scheduled conference events at Coverings 2025, by visiting Coverings.

Color/Design Future Trends: Welcome Home, a highly anticipated session on Day 1 of Coverings 2025, 9:30-10:30 a.m. EDT, will be presented by Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. Eiseman will unveil Pantone’s 2025 color forecast, “Welcome Home,” a theme that reflects the evolving role of home as a space for living, working, entertaining and finding rest. The presentation will explore how residential warmth is increasingly influencing contract and commercial interiors, creating more welcoming environments across design sectors. Showgoers will gain valuable insights regarding major trend directions and actionable strategies to resonate with clients and stay ahead of future design trends.

One critical session on Day 2 of Coverings 2025, 8-9 a.m., will feature Economic Outlook 2025: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in the Tile, Stone and Flooring Industry. Author, speaker and columnist Gene Marks will lead the session, alongside industry experts Joe Lundgren of JLC Consult and Santo Torcivia of Torcivia Marketing Insights, providing a comprehensive forecast of the national economy and construction market. Attendees will gain insights into key trends, metrics and strategies that smart companies are adopting to address current issues. Presenters will then give a deep dive into the ceramic tile and floor sector, including updates on the latest government initiatives, first-quarter data and emerging market dynamics impacting growth and profitability. Those in attendance will leave equipped with the strategic knowledge to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing market.

Shifting Landscapes: The Impact of Business Consolidation in the Tile and Stone Industry, a game-changing panel session on Day 2, 9:30-10:30 a.m., will examine the ongoing wave of consolidation reshaping the tile and stone industry. The session, moderated by Kemp Harr of Floor Focus and Bart Bettiga of the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), will review the driving forces behind these changes, including acquisitions by private equity groups and strategic mergers among industry players. Panelists will discuss how consolidation is affecting companies of all sizes, from distributors to contractors and fabricators, highlighting the opportunities and challenges it creates across the workforce, supply chain and customer relationships. Participants will walk away with actionable knowledge about the long-term implications for competition, innovation and the future of the tile industry, providing a comprehensive perspective on one of the most transformative trends shaping the industry today.

Those attending Building Safe and Stylish Homes: The Role of Tile and Stone in Aging in Place on Day 3 of Coverings 2025, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., will explore the essentials of aging in place design and how thoughtfully chosen tile and stone can enhance both safety and style in universal living spaces. This high-impact presentation, led by Sydney Hughes, CAP, founder and chief executive officer of Senior Proof, will investigate the key design principles for aging in place, focusing on selecting materials that prioritize slip-resistance, durability and comfort. Attendees will learn best practices for creating adaptable, beautiful spaces that ensure safe, comfortable living at any stage of life.

Educational Partners

The University of Ceramic Tile and Stone (UofCTS), a Coverings 2025 educational partner, will present How to Be a Professional Architectural Sales Rep to Develop “Bullet Proof” Specifications and Get the Order, Monday, April 28, which is the day before Coverings 2025 officially opens. UofCTS trainers Vince Moiso and Donato Pompo will present a four-hour workshop live, focusing on the fundamentals of being a professional and successful architectural sales representative.

Coverings 2025 is also partnering with The Architect’s Newspaper to bring a special edition of Façades+ to attendees, Wednesday April 30. Façades+ Orlando will feature a half-day program of design case studies and educational sessions by leading architects, engineers and contractors (AEC) on the latest in façades technology, materials and best practices. Attendees can earn three Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) credits from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), learn from AEC leaders, and explore materials with full access to Coverings.

Those eager to participate in the two aforesaid partner-education workshops are required to register separately and pay a fee to secure their spots by visiting a dedicated co-located sessions page on the Coverings website.

Podcast Studio

The Podcast Studio is making a highly anticipated return to Coverings 2025, offering established podcasters from the tile, stone, design and construction industries a one-of-a-kind, no-cost opportunity to record episodes live during the four-day event. Podcasters interested in participating can learn more and apply at Coverings before the application period closes, March 7.

Attendees are invited to drop by the Coverings 2025 Podcast Studio to experience live recordings and gain essential knowledge as podcasters create fresh episodes for their audiences. The Podcast Studio promises thought-provoking content for all showgoers, no matter their interest or preferred genre.

Coverings is North America’s premier event for the tile, stone and design industries, offering unparalleled access to education, networking and product sourcing all in one place. Prospective and registered Coverings 2025 attendees can learn more about Coverings 2025’s comprehensive educational opportunities and register to attend by visiting Coverings.

The post Coverings 2025 sessions reveal tile and stone’s value for durability, wellness and sustainability appeared first on FMLink.

The 50‐minute conference sessions provide a comprehensive exploration of facilities management concepts and applications, covering crucial aspects such as technology, maintenance, operations, and space management. By delving into key trends including technology integration, safety and wellness, energy efficiency and sustainable practices, participants gain a deep understanding of how these cross‐functional elements significantly influence and shape effective facilities strategies. In this article, we will recommend sessions for March 27. 

“Empowering People. Advancing Practice.” That’s the theme for NFMT 2025 in Baltimore. It offers tiered pricing with free admission to the expo, followed by the $79 ProLevel, and the $149 Elite Level. Conference Sessions and Huddles are open to Pro and Elite attendees while Learning Labs held at the Expo’s designated Product Zones, offer valuable education for all attendees. 

More than 300 exhibitors will be present on the expo floor. 

On Thursday, March 27, we recommend these sessions: 

• AI in 2025: What We’ve Learned & What’s Next
  Presented by: Josh Lowe, Co-founder and Chief Solution Engineer, AkitaBox
• Emergency Disaster Response & Mitigation: Before & After the Storm
  Presented by: Daniel Isackson, Technical Director, Architectural Engineering, Rimkus
• Empowering the Next Generation of FM
  Presented by: John Rimer, CFM, president, FM360 Consulting
• Climate Adaptation: Decarbonization and Resilience in LEED v5
  Presented by: Melissa Baker, Senior Vice President, Technical Development, U.S. Green Building Council
• If Buildings Could Talk: Investing in Health for Facility Managers
  Presented by: Whitney Austin Gray, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Research, International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)

One more key event is the Women in FM Panel & Reception on Wednesday, March 26, that brings together industry women for a frank discussion of work‐life integration, authenticity, accountability and community. All Pro and Elite attendees are welcome to join the dialogue and bring their views to the discussion. Keep the conversation going at a 4:30 Women in Industry reception that brings attendees from NFMT and the Clean Buildings Conference together to continue the conversation over drinks and appetizers.

The post Emergency disaster response, AI now, the next gen of FM, and adapting to climate change are among sessions for the closing day of NFMT 2025, March 25-27, Baltimore appeared first on FMLink.

ducation sessions that are a key draw for facility and building managers, engineers and architects. Education is offered in multiple formats including

The AHR Expo, the International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition, is the annual trade show that brings together HVACR professionals, manufacturers and industry leaders to showcase the latest trends and advancements in the industry. It will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, February 10-12, 2025. 

The AHR Panel Series begins on Monday, February 10, and offers these seven options  that FMLink and The McMorrow Reports editors recommend:  

• AI and Plumbing: How Smart Applications Can Lead to Smooth Waters Ahead
• Cybersecurity in HVACR: Considerations for Prevention, Insurance, Safety and Training
• Everything You Need to Know About the Refrigerant Transition and A2Ls
• 2025 State of the Industry: Today’s Market, Challenges, Opportunities & What’s Ahead
• Navigating the Workforce Rollover: How to Recruit, Train and Build a Strong HVACR Team Today
• The Wide World of HVACR: New Motivations, EPA Regulations and Mapping the Path Forward
• Understanding Business Opportunities Based on Your Region

Facility manager attendees might also consider some of the longer sessions to learn how to operate their buildings using automation, new technologies, AI, carbon-reduction measures and standards that improve air quality and thermal comfort. 

• Pre-show, Saturday, Feb. 8,  8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Building Energy Modeling Fundamentals and Applications.Speakers: Dr. Drury B. Crawley, Ph.D., AIA, Fellow ASHRAE, BEMP is a Bentley Fellow and Director of Building Performance Research with Bentley Systems Inc., and Sam Mason, P.E., Member ASHRAE, BEMP, LEED® AP BD+C, is the principal at Encompass Energy LLC.
• Pre-show, Sunday, Feb. 9,  3:30 – 6:30 p.m. Guideline 36: Best of Class HVAC Control Sequences. Speaker: Hwakong Cheng, P.E., Member ASHRAE is a Principal at Taylor Engineers, where he has been responsible for HVAC design, commissioning, and energy analysis for over 18 years. sz
• Monday, Feb. 10,  8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Air-to-Air Energy Recovery Applications: Best Practices. Speaker: Paul Pieper, Eng., Member ASHRAE, National Director of Business Development at The Master Group.
• Monday, Feb. 10,  8:30 a.m -9:30 a.m. Enabling AI for Buildings and Data Centers.
  Speaker: Rich Blomseth, Board Member for LonMark International at Enocean.
• Monday, Feb. 10,  10:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. The Digital Revolution in HVAC: AI, Automation, and the Future of Customer Service. Speakers: Josh Crouch, Founder Relentless Digital; Co-Founder, Small Business Automations; and Co-Host Service Business Mastery at Service Business Mastery Podcast /Relentless Digital; and Tersh Blissett, CEO, Service Emperor; Co-Founder, Small Business Automations; and Co-Host Service Business Mastery at Service Business Mastery.
• Monday, Feb. 10,  11:30 – 12:30 p.m. A New Era of Open, Interoperable Buildings. Speaker: Tracy Markie, Chairman of the Board at LonMark International.
• Tuesday, Feb.11,   9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Healthcare Facilities: Best Practice for HVAC Design and Operation & Maintenance of High-Performance Buildings. Based on the ASHRAE book HVAC Design Manual for Hospitals and Clinics, this course introduces many unique and up-to-date healthcare design considerations and applications. The course covers Chapters 1-4, 6-11, and 13-16. Common medical terminology is introduced, and terminology differences between the medical and engineering fields are examined.
• Tuesday, Feb.11,   10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. Reducing Airborne Pathogens and Improving Indoor-Air Quality with Air Curtains. Speaker: Naga Thiyagarajan, Director of Engineering at Mars Air Systems.
• Tuesday, Feb.11,   11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Thermal Batteries: Low-Cost, Scalable Grid Storage to Achieve Sustainability Goals. Speakers: Al Takle, Business Unit Leader at Steffes; James Marker, Director, Business Development at Ice Energy; and Laura Marshall, Applications Lead at Baltimore Aircoil Company.

The education program runs Mon. Feb 10, Tues. Feb. 11 and Wed. Feb. 12. The editors will preview additional sessions in upcoming coverage. The AHR Expo was first held in 1930 in Philadelphia as a heating and ventilation show. It’s produced by International Exposition Company (IEC), one of the world’s oldest trade show management companies. ASHRAE and AHRI are co-sponsors of the show. 

See also: Not “too hot” or “too cold”: Learn how to prevent these complaints and get your energy usage to be “just right” during the AHR Expo 2025 in Orlando, February 10-12, and

Feb. 10-12, Orlando: AHR Expo 2025 will showcase 1,600 exhibitors and provide HVAC education for commercial and residential environments. 

The post Cybersecurity, refrigerant, state of the industry, EPA regulations, and workforce building are key panel topics at AHR Expo 2025 in Orlando, February 10-12 appeared first on FMLink.

At the world’s largest HVACR event, with over 1,600 exhibitors and 50,000 attendees annually, the show offers a variety of events. Education sessions are a key draw for facility and building managers, engineers and architects offered in multiple formats including sessions, free industry seminars, New Product Theaters with 146 product presentations, the AHR Panel Series, For-Credit Sessions, and Podcast Pavilions. 

Facility manager attendees will learn how to operate their buildings using automation, new technologies, AI, carbon-reduction measures and standards that improve air quality and thermal comfort.

FMLink and The McMorrow Reports will be attending and are recommending the following sessions:  

Pre-show, Saturday, Feb. 8,  8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Building Energy Modeling Fundamentals and Applications.Speakers: Dr. Drury B. Crawley, Ph.D., AIA, Fellow ASHRAE, BEMP is a Bentley Fellow and Director of Building Performance Research with Bentley Systems Inc., and Sam Mason, P.E., Member ASHRAE, BEMP, LEED® AP BD+C, is the principal at Encompass Energy LLC.

Pre-show, Sunday, Feb. 9,  3:30 – 6:30 p.m. Guideline 36: Best of Class HVAC Control Sequences. Speaker: Hwakong Cheng, P.E., Member ASHRAE is a Principal at Taylor Engineers, where he has been responsible for HVAC design, commissioning, and energy analysis for over 18 years. 

Monday, Feb. 10,  8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Air-to-Air Energy Recovery Applications: Best Practices. Speaker: Paul Pieper, Eng., Member ASHRAE, National Director of Business Development at The Master Group.

Monday, Feb. 10,  8:30 a.m -9:30 a.m. Enabling AI for Buildings and Data Centers. Speaker: Rich Blomseth, Board Member for LonMark International at Enocean.

Monday, Feb. 10,  10:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. The Digital Revolution in HVAC: AI, Automation, and the Future of Customer Service. Speakers: Josh Crouch, Founder Relentless Digital; Co-Founder, Small Business Automations; and Co-Host Service Business Mastery at Service Business Mastery Podcast /Relentless Digital; and Tersh Blissett, CEO, Service Emperor; Co-Founder, Small Business Automations; and Co-Host Service Business Mastery at Service Business Mastery.

Monday, Feb. 10,  11:30 – 12:30 p.m. A New Era of Open, Interoperable Buildings. Speaker: Tracy Markie, Chairman of the Board at LonMark International

Tuesday, Feb.11,   9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Healthcare Facilities: Best Practice for HVAC Design and Operation & Maintenance of High-Performance Buildings. Based on the ASHRAE book HVAC Design Manual for Hospitals and Clinics, this course introduces many unique and up-to-date healthcare design considerations and applications. The course covers Chapters 1-4, 6-11, and 13-16. Common medical terminology is introduced, and terminology differences between the medical and engineering fields are examined.

Tuesday, Feb.11,   10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. Reducing Airborne Pathogens and Improving Indoor-Air Quality with Air Curtains. Speaker: Naga Thiyagarajan, Director of Engineering at Mars Air Systems.

Tuesday, Feb.11,   11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Thermal Batteries: Low-Cost, Scalable Grid Storage to Achieve Sustainability Goals. Speakers: Al Takle, Business Unit Leader at Steffes; James Marker, Director, Business Development at Ice Energy; and Laura Marshall, Applications Lead at Baltimore Aircoil Company.

The education program runs Monday, February 10; Tuesday, February 11; and Wednesday, February 12. The editors will preview additional sessions in upcoming coverage. The AHR Expo was first held in 1930 in Philadelphia as a heating and ventilation show. It’s produced by International Exposition Company (IEC), one of the world’s oldest trade show management companies. ASHRAE and AHRI are co-sponsors of the show.

The post Not “too hot” or “too cold”: Learn how to prevent these complaints and get your energy usage to be “just right” during the AHR Expo 2025 in Orlando, February 10-12 appeared first on FMLink.

Conference Sessions and Huddles are open to Pro and Elite attendees while Learning Labs held at the Expo’s designated Product Zones, offer valuable education for all attendees. 

More than 300 exhibitors will be present on the expo floor.

Education sessions are the big draw for most attendees. The FMLink and McMorrow Reports editors offer the following recommendations:

Tuesday, March 25

• Coffee and Culture. And Other Things That Matter In Today’s Workplace.
  Presented by: Alana Dunoff, MS, ProFM, FMP, IFMA Fellow
• Building Lifecycle Data and Technology Stack – From Cradle to Grave. Presented by: Don Conover, Director, Facilities Management Services, Gilbane Building Company.
• Ushering in FM’s New Age: Innovations and Technologies Moving Leaders Forward. Presented by: Mike Petrusky, Director, Podcast & Events, Eptura.
• The FM’s Guide to AI-Powered Maintenance: Building the Data Foundation. Presented by: Nick Haase, Co-Founder, MaintainX, and Andi Seabeck, Facility Management Market Leader, Camcode.

Wednesday, March 26

• AI Impact on Commercial Building Water Plants – Cooling Towers, Chillers, Boilers, Potable, and More. Presented by: Robert O’Donnell CEO, Aquanomix and Tom Shircliff, Principal, Intelligent Buildings, LLC.
• 150-Year-Old As-Builts + 165 New Caissons – How one GC Eliminated Big Headaches for an Ohio Medical Center. When General Contractor Rudolph Libbe won the bid to expand one of Northwest Ohio’s oldest hospitals – Mercy Health’s St. Vincent Medical Center, or St. V’s, as it’s known locally in Toledo – they knew there would be challenges because the 150+ year-old facility meant nearly zero reliable existing conditions documentation – especially when it came to the subsurface of an adjacent asphalt parking lot that was previously a riverbed and neighborhood – the site of the proposed expansion. Join GPRS’ Matt Mikolajczyk and Nate Stair, and stakeholders from Rudolph Libbe and Mercy Health as they walk you through how architects, engineers, virtual design consultants, owners, contractors, and subcontractors streamlined communications and broke down information siloes to find the surprises beneath the surface of their expansion before they became dangerous risks, clashes, and damages.
• Maintaining and Optimizing Modern Facilities in the Digital Age. Presented by Darin Porter, Director, Industry Practices, FMX.
• Leveraging Digital Twin Technology to Enhance Maintenance Productivity. Presented by: Chandan Sutradhar, Production Delivery Head, Pinnacle Infotech Solutions. 

Next month, we will suggest sessions we are considering for March 27th. In the meantime, explore NFMT.

The post March 25-27: More than 100,000 facilities professionals have attended NFMT. Will you join them in Baltimore for training, networking and product discovery? appeared first on FMLink.

At the world’s largest HVACR event, with over 1,600 exhibitors and 50,000 attendees annually, the show offers a variety of events. Education sessions are a key draw for facility and building managers, engineers and architects, and are offered in multiple formats including free industry seminars, New Product Theaters with 146 product presentations, the AHR Panel Series, ASHRAE Learning Institute Courses, and Podcast Pavilions.

Facility manager attendees will learn how to operate their buildings using automation, new technologies, AI, carbon-reduction measures and standards that improve air quality and thermal comfort. FMLink and The McMorrow Reports will be attending and are recommending the following sessions:

• Pre-show, Saturday, Feb. 8,  8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Operations & Maintenance of High-Performance Buildings. Speaker: Laurie Gilmer, Vice President at Facility Engineering Associates
• Pre-show, Sunday, Feb. 9,  3:30 – 6:30 p.m.: Advanced Design for Zero-Energy and Low-Carbon Buildings. Speaker: Ghina Annan, M.Eng Applied Energy, Member ASHRAE, LEED® AP, CEM, Associate at Stantec.
• Monday, Feb. 10,  8:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m.: Air-to-Air Energy Recovery Applications: Best Practices. Speaker: Paul Pieper, Eng., Member ASHRAE, National Director of Business Development at The Master Group.
• Mondy, Feb. 10,  9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.: Empowering our Workforce with Emotional Intelligence: Building a Sustainable Future. Speaker: Karine Leblanc, Modular Solutions Sales Manager – West at Daikin Applied
• Monday, Feb. 10,  10:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m.: The Digital Revolution in HVAC: AI, Automation, and the Future of Customer Service. Speakers: Josh Crouch, Founder Relentless Digital; Co-Founder, Small Business Automations; and Co-Host Service Business Mastery at Service Business Mastery Podcast /Relentless Digital; and Tersh Blissett, CEO, Service Emperor; Co-Founder, Small Business Automations; and Co-Host Service Business Mastery at Service Business Mastery
• Monday, Feb. 10,  10:30 – 11:30 a.m.: Water Treatment Fundamentals for Evaporative Heat Rejection. 

  

  Jon Cohen, Digital Innovation Fellow at Buckman Chemical and William Pearson, President at BPEARSON Consulting LLC

• Monday, Feb.10,  1:30 – 2:30 p.m.: Fan Fundamentals: Understanding Curves and Performance Characteristics. Tom Mitrenga, Manager, Products and Applications at The New York Blower Co./Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International
• Monday, Feb. 10  2:30 – 3:30 p.m.: Will HVAC & Lighting Work Together for Better Occupancy Data & Energy Savings? Levin Nock, Senior Technical Manager at DesignLights Consortium (DLC) and Ron Bernstein, CEO at RBCG Consulting, LLC
• Monday, Feb. 10,  4:00 – 5:00 p.m.: Leveraging Analysis Tools to Optimize Your Cooling System Design. Speakers: Sarah Twigg, Senior Applications Engineer for Closed Circuit Coolers at Evapco and Troy Reineck, Business Development Manager at Evapco.
• Monday, Feb. 10, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.: Healthy Buildings: Beyond Four Walls. Speakers: Stephanie Poole, Senior Decarbonization Engineer at SES Consulting and Lauren Scott, VP Marketing and Sustainability at Acuity.

The education program and related sessions continue on Tuesday, February 11 and Wednesday, February 12. The editors will preview additional sessions in upcoming coverage.

The AHR Expo was first held in 1930 in Philadelphia as a heating and ventilation show. It’s produced by International Exposition Company (IEC), one of the world’s oldest trade show management companies. ASHRAE and AHRI are co-sponsors of the show.

The post Feb. 10-12, Orlando: AHR Expo 2025 will showcase 1,600 exhibitors and provide HVAC education for commercial and residential environments appeared first on FMLink.

Further SFG20 findings have shown that only 20% of businesses are “wholeheartedly” embracing digital-led maintenance and that 43% of businesses also named systems integrations as the most significant problems in their business. These findings reflect an industry-wide concern around placing digital at the center of maintenance strategies.

Despite this, additional traffic data reveals that interactions with SFG20’s content around maintenance schedules increased by 66% across the last year, indicating an uptick in businesses looking to educate themselves on schedules and develop their strategies when it comes to digital-led maintenance.

Paul Bullard, product director at SFG20, the industry standard for building maintenance, stated:

The reluctance to adopt digital-led maintenance was initially fueled by the perceived effort and high costs of hardware and software. However, the landscape is changing with more affordable options now available. Yet challenges remain, as businesses work to develop the necessary skills to deploy sensors, monitors, and interpret the generated data effectively. Overcoming these hurdles is essential to unlocking the full potential of digital maintenance.

Printed maintenance guidance, still widely used by facility managers, reflects a static snapshot of one particular point in time, meaning they quickly become out of date and inaccurate with a constantly evolving legislative landscape. This can put building managers at risk of falling off the industry standard and exposing themselves to non-compliance.

SFG20 Virtual Summit 2024

To find out more about adopting a digital-led maintenance strategy, implementing effective strategies for the modern building, and how the shift to digital impacts engineers, register for the SFG20 Virtual Summit 2024 on Wednesday, November 20, during which Bullard will join a virtual panel of industry experts to discuss how to place digital at the front of your maintenance strategies. The panel will include Mike Darby, CEO at Demand Logic; David Meacock, group director of Engineering at MCFT; and David Hemming, NHS Service Delivery lead.

The SFG20 Summit will feature panel discussions on:

• Adopting a digital-led maintenance strategy
• Implementing effective strategies for the modern building
• How the shift to digital impacts engineers

SFG20 says the summit is a must-attend event for the building maintenance industry, from leaders in facilities management through to engineers carrying out maintenance.

The event program will explore:

• How you can ensure your buildings are fit for purpose in the future
• How to navigate the digital landscape with AI and digital led maintenance
• How you can best achieve compliance and stay up to date with ever-changing legislation
• Strategies for achieving carbon net zero by 2030

As well as informing you of the latest developments in the sector, the SFG20 summit will help you ensure your buildings and occupants are safe and fit for purpose to cope with the demands of the future, says SFG20.

Member-Exclusive Digital Badge

SFG20 also recently launched a new digital badge for FM professionals to improve transparency and credibility for those in the facilities management sector. The “SFG20 Member-Exclusive Digital Badge” has been launched as an authoritative emblem, signifying that the holder is actively engaged in the highest standards of building maintenance and able to work in line with current legislation and regulations.

The new badge rollout will allow FM professionals to establish themselves as leaders in compliance and safety, with the ability to tackle backlogs more efficiently by focusing resources in the right places.

With the arrival of the updated Building Safety Act 2022 and requirements around the Golden Thread in building maintenance, access to a digital badge will be tangible proof of a company’s active efforts to align with the industry-recognized SFG20 standard and set a precedent for transparency and accountability in the space.

A major use of the digital member badge will be in tender evaluations, encouraging companies to demonstrate alignment with industry standards but provide indisputable evidence of their membership. The digital badge sets apart companies that are committed to excellence and safe practices within building maintenance, and confirm that they are able to comply with the industry standard.

Customers will receive a digital QR code to ensure the license’s validity for third parties and can be directly embedded onto the member’s website. A complete list of active SFG20 members can found at SFG20.

Digital Partner Programme

During the BESA Annual Conference earlier this year, SFG20 found through a virtual poll that 67% of facilities management professionals are affected by issues relating to FM technology. Almost half cited system integration as a particular pain point within their business. When FM systems are unable to integrate with SFG20 and content must be imported manually, it often results in out-of-date and incomplete data.

Over half of those polled cited adhering to a maintenance standard as their most pressing issue. Facility managers said that they struggle to keep on top of the quantity of updates to the SFG20 standard, in response to an ever-changing legislative landscape.

With changes to regulations and legislation being commonplace within the industry, ensuring work is being carried out to the latest standard is of utmost importance, notes SFG20.

In response to these findings and the challenges facilities managers face, SFG20 introduced its Digital Partner Programme. The program was created to support companies that have integrated their facilities management systems into SFG20’s new software solution, Facilities-iQ. This new software solution allows users to create maintenance plans, tailor them to site-specific requirements, receive notifications when the standard is updated and then choose when to implement those updates. With this brand-new integration, SFG20 content seamlessly flows into other FM systems such as CAFM, CMMS and IWMS for operational activity.

The SFG20 standard is maintained and updated by a technical team from the London-based Building Engineering Services Association (BESA).

The post Still using paper for maintenance? SFG20 Summit Nov. 20 explores how to navigate AI and digital-led maintenance appeared first on FMLink.