Outstanding World Workplace Europe Event Keeps Sustainability at the Forefront Through Education and Action Mar 20, 2025 The Hague, Netherlands – Organizing partners IFMA (International Facility Management Association) EMEA, FMN (Facility Management Nederland) and EuroFM are celebrating the success of World Workplace Europe 2025, held 12-13 March in The Hague, Netherlands. More than 400 facilities management (FM) and related built environment professionals from 30 countries attended the conference and expo at the historic Fokker Terminal – a one-time training complex for airplane mechanics. This year’s theme, “Elevating Sustainable Facilities Management,” resonated with presenters and attendees alike, as FMs are charged with meeting heightened business demands and regulatory mandates for sustainable operations. The two-day event featured workshops, world café sessions, panel discussions, live podcast recording and networking opportunities for the global audience. Topics included reducing energy consumption and lowering CO2 emissions, the circular economy, creating inclusive work environments and more. The event itself provided inspiration to FMs exploring strategies for keeping sustainability at the forefront. In addition to hosting the conference in a repurposed venue, attendees pre-ordered their meals via a mobile app, which reduced food waste. Fokker Terminal collaborates with the Made Blue Foundation, which donates an equal amount of water used by an event to developing countries. The two-day total of 107,000 liters (28,266 gallons) of water used by World Workplace Europe attendees was donated to drinking water projects in Uganda, Sierra Leone and Bangladesh. “Our world is facing new challenges that influence the decisions FMs make in managing and maintaining their facilities. What we discussed and learned at World Workplace Europe will elevate our ability to adapt and identify new opportunities for more efficient and productive workplaces,” said Lara Paemen, managing director of IFMA EMEA. Other highlights included the Executive Roundtable discussion featuring 18 C-level executives from 12 different countries, representing the world’s top influential built environment organizations. The results of this discussion will be published later this year in a white paper. “World Workplace Europe was an incredible experience, professionally executed and filled with energy. What stood out most was our members’ eagerness to network and exchange ideas while celebrating our shared, global profession. The sessions were engaging, the topics timely and the learning rooms full," said IFMA President and CEO Michael V. Geary, CAE. “I'm especially grateful to IFMA Chair Lynn Baez, FMN Chair Michel Tobé and EuroFM Chair Natalie Hofman for opening the conference by sharing their insights on how our industry and professionals can forward circularity, inclusiveness and lowering emissions.” For media inquiries, please contact: Lara Paemen Managing Director, IFMA EMEA Lara.Paemen@ifma.org About IFMA Founded in 1980, the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) is the world’s largest, most widely recognized association for facility management (FM) professionals. IFMA supports more than 25,000 members in over 140 countries, 122 chapters, 16 industry-specific councils and seven communities of practice. A key contributor to the development of international FM standards, IFMA works with decision makers to inform FM-related policy. IFMA provides career resources and continuing education, offers three industry-respected credentials, maintains the largest repository of FM-related content on the web and hosts year-round global events. With a vision to lead the future of the built environment to make the world a better place, IFMA believes in the benefit of global diversity, inclusion and social equity, and recognizes that sustainability, resilience and responsible environmental stewardship are paramount. For more information, visit ifma.org and our LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Threads, X and Flickr pages. Follow IFMA’s Connected FM podcast and blog for expert insights on trending industry topics.
