Amsterdam will be the epicentre of facility management in Europe for three days. From 20 to 22 March, the Dutch capital city will set the stage for World Workplace Europe meets Facility for Future. The event is owned by IFMA, the International Facility Management Association and FMN, the Dutch professional association for the facility sector. It is the perfect opportunity for European Facility Managers to network internationally and to fully immerse themselves in the most important trends shaping Facility Management today and tomorrow.
Collaboration as a red thread
Building on the momentum of previous events in Stockholm and Barcelona, World Workplace Europe, will take place in the Kromhouthal in Amsterdam from 20 to 22 March. As in recent years, this three-day event promises to be a knowledge and networking event par excellence in Facility Management for Europe to discover new ideas and technologies. Lara Paemen, the European Director of IFMA, is also determining the concept. "Collaboration is the common thread throughout the various keynotes, workshops, panel discussions. Collaboration matters because the facility manager will play a central role in the organization in the future. He or she will therefore not only have to enter into a dialogue with internal customers and external suppliers but also with other departments and other companies. Only by working together can he or she optimally support employees in the efficient execution of their tasks and in putting the strategy of his organization into practice."
Insights and networks
The central location of Amsterdam in Europe offers facility managers the perfect opportunity to get to know World Workplace Europe meets Facility for Future. The added value of this internationally focused conference lies in the two pillars around which it is built. "World Workplace Europe meets Facility for Future is primarily a content-driven event. Participants do not go home empty-handed. They return with new insights and knowledge that can enrich their daily activities", Paemen indicates. In addition, there is a lot of room for networking and for a look behind the scenes in facility management in The Netherlands. For example, on Friday facility tours will be organized. "Participants get a glimpse into the internal facility kitchen of a number of well-known Amsterdam attractions.” Furthermore, there is a charity dinner on Wednesday evening and the event ends on Thursday with a lively FM party immediately after the last session.
Activity-based design
World Workplace Europe meets Facility for Future evolves beyond the concept of providing only plenary sessions. "Just as the workplace can be organized in function of the activities, we also opt for an activity-based approach in the Kromhouthal. The Auditorium is reserved for keynotes and plenary sessions, but there is also time for panel discussions and debates in the Club, the Creative Lab will offer workshops, the Pitch will give a platform to start-ups in facility management and the Market Place will be the world-class networking zone. The exhibitors are gathered on the Strip, while the premium partners can invite their guests to the Place To Be. In this way, we aspire to greater involvement with the participants. I sincerely hope that people working in or related to Facility Manager will attend in great numbers. After all, World Workplace Europe meets Facility for Future will give them a broader view of Facility Management across borders. Something that is invaluable," Paemen concludes.
Lara Paemen
Director
IFMA Europe
Where? Kromhouthal, Gedempt Hamerkanaal 231 in Amsterdam
When? 20 to 22 March
Entry price? IFMA members get a discount
More info? www.worldworkplaceeurope.ifma.org
