IFMA’s World Workplace® 2024 Conference & Expo Opens With Celebrations in San Antonio, Texas, USA

IFMA Fellows, IFMA LATAM, FMP’s 20^th Anniversary and New CFMs Recognized

IFMA welcomed attendees to its annual conference and expo today with a celebratory program highlighting organizational and individual achievements. Presentations leading up to the sit-down interview with NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith focused on the IFMA community taking an active hand in advancing opportunities for facility management.

In her opening remarks, Chair of IFMA’s Global Board of Directors Lynn Baez, FMP, SFP, IFMA Fellow shared a message of confidence and optimism in meeting the needs of a diverse and fast-growing industry. “We’re the largest community of FM professionals on the planet, and our global reach keeps getting wider. More than ever before, IFMA is where you are,” she said.

Baez addressed the importance of giving back to the association that empowers members to create better opportunities for themselves and others. “Our industry, our association and the facilities we manage are strengthened each day by our belief that everything is possible in shaping the future of FM. Todo es posible formando el futuro de FM,” she said.

A champion for FM career growth in Latin America, Baez honored IFMA’s LATAM Working Group with this year’s board chair citation, recognizing group members Luis Viña, Ricardo Bolanos, Jorge Borges, Tatyana Galeana, Ted Ritter and Rebeca Arguedas for their efforts in building engaged, synergetic FM communities throughout more than 20 Latin American countries and territories. Learn about IFMA LATAM at latam.ifma.org.

Kate North, Joseph “Matt” Dawson and Wayne Whitzell were officially inducted as the 2024 Class of IFMA Fellows by Jury of Fellows Chair Geoff Williams, CFM, FMP, SFP, IFMA Fellow. Honored for their professional and volunteer achievements, North, Dawson and Whitzell join an elite corps of association advisors and ambassadors. Read about this year’s Fellows at ifma.org/news/whats-new-at-ifma-new/ifma-announces-2024-class-of-ifma-fellows.

“No one ever expects to be named a Fellow. It isn’t something you nominate yourself for or actively campaign to receive. You’re nominated by your peers – colleagues who believe your record of accomplishments and service to the association are worthy of IFMA’s highest honor,” said Baez.

Certificate Commission Chair Paul Ratkovic CFM, FMP, IFMA Fellow took the stage to mark the 20-year anniversary of IFMA’s Facility Management Professional™ (FMP®) credential. As the first person to earn the FMP 20 years ago, Ratkovic announced that this year would see 20,000 FMPs worldwide. The FMP is currently held in 115 countries, and the program is available in English, Simplified Chinese and Latin American Spanish. Learn about IFMA’s FMP at ifma.org/credentials/facility-management-professional-fmp.

Those in attendance who recently earned IFMA’s Certified Facility Manager® (CFM®) joined Certification Commission Chair Ted Cohen, CFM, MBA, MPA, PMP and Vice Chair Clayton Tenbroeck, CFM, FMP on stage to be congratulated. IFMA’s CFM is held in 68 countries. More than 540 professionals achieved certification between July 2023 and June 2024. Learn about the industry standard in FM certification at ifma.org/credentials/certified-facility-manager-cfm.

As the opening keynote sponsor, Davies Office Vice President Bill Davies introduced NFL legend and entrepreneur Emmitt Smith, who sat down with interviewer Edward “Eddy” Wagoner to talk about his career on and off the football field.

IFMA’s World Workplace continues Oct. 9-11, 2024, at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, USA. For more information, visit worldworkplace.ifma.org