The First Facility Management Blog

The first day of The TFM Forum/LiveXchange got off to a breezy, yet upbeat start on Sunday, October 18, 2009 at the Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Fort Myers, FL. Events for the group began mid-day, with some opting to play golf (see photo below, at right) and others heading off to the historic Edison & Ford Winter Estate (interestingly enough, the tour coincided with the anniversary of Edison’s death–10/18/1931).

Fortunate participants in the estate tour (myself included) were greeted by Brandon Anderson, education coordinator, who immediately took the group through the grove of massive banyan trees and provided a little bit of background about the estate. (See photo below, at left.)

After the group (pictured below) finished lunch, Anderson spent more than two hours taking the group “behind the roped off areas” (as long as we wore blue shoe coverings or went in bare or stocking feet) in the three main properties: the Edison residence, the guest house, and the Ford residence.

While appreciating the historic, aesthetic aspects of the structures, some participants observed facets of the property that the layperson would more that likely overlook. For instance, one guest asked about the fire/smoke detection system in the primary Edison residence, which incorporated the very early smoke detection apparatus (VESDA) supported by a mist/fog suppression system.

Ed Kosmoski, Jr., R.P.A., vice president of facilities for the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care in Cheektowaga, NY, said, “I really enjoyed the tour. I found it very interesting and was impressed by the overall level and quality of maintenance, particularly from a historic preservation perspective. We have a property of this nature in downtown Buffalo, which is why I found this so relevant.”

Shortly after the golf and tour groups completed their outings, the networking reception began. The evening concluded with dinner and discussion, as attendees, speakers, and sponsors refueled and prepared for the start of Monday’s activities.

With a full day of clear skies, the TFM Institutional Forum started its second day with a dramatic bang. After breakfast in the Crown Room, FM Frequency Columnist Jeff Crane delivered his General Session, “Aggressive Utilities Management,” to a group of facilities executives anxious to go back and apply what they had learned to their own operations practices. As one of the few people who can make energy management humorous AND interesting, Crane discussed the metrics typically associated with utilities consumption, including where to find them and how to interpret them.

 
Following Monday morning’s General Session, delegates and sponsors began attending the one-on-one meetings that are the hallmark of TFM Forum events. The pre-scheduled meetings take place between sponsors, who represent facility management product and service providers from across North America; and delegates, facility executives from the education, government, or healthcare sectors who are actively seeking those products and services. Those attendees who were not matched up with sponsors had a chance to attend education sessions delivered by experts in the field like Jim Elledge (TFM’s Tricks of the Trade columnist), Robert Wetherell, David Casavant, and Kreon Cyros.

Additional networking opportunities arose during lunch and dinner, which were once again set against impressive backdrops. Some folks were so engaged in conversation during dinner, they had a hard time breaking away long enough to continue their discussions later in the lounge. It was another all around outstanding day (made even better by the famous California weather).

Despite a breezy and damp start of the event, The TFM Education, Government, and Healthcare Forum got off to a great start on Sunday, March 22, at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, CA. While the golf game didn’t get past the first hole before Mother Nature dampened the game, the group managed to get in a bit of relaxed networking in between NCAA basketball games and some great live entertainment.

Meanwhile, the weather cleared for the group touring the Naval base, and after lunch was served, the guests boarded the buses and headed off on a once in a lifetime look behind the scenes. Many attendees commented on their sense of renewed enthusiasm and faith in the work being done at government facilities of all kinds, and everyone voiced their appreciation for the work done by our onsite liaison, Kevin Borg (from UCLA).

Finally, both groups converged Sunday evening for the welcome reception and dinner. Conversation was lively, and the beautiful views of the Pacific made a perfect backdrop to the start of another outstanding Forum event.

ATTEND THE TFM FORUM: EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT, AND HEALTHCARE AND ENJOY A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT A U.S. NAVAL BASE.

Join as at The TFM Forum: Education, Government, and Healthcare on March 22-24, 2009 and enjoy a walking tour of the U.S. Naval Base in San Diego. Participants will visit the entire base which is home to more than 10,000 active duty Seaman and commanding officers. The tour will include Facilities, Operations, Engineering, the Port Commander, and one of the very latest ships built for the Navy’s fleet. There may even be an opportunity to tour the submarine base located on Coronado Island!

Background questionnaires will need to be completed prior to the tour and a valid drivers license will be required prior to entering the base.

IN JUST TWO DAYS OUT OF THE OFFICE, YOU WILL:
- Meet with industry suppliers who represent the products and services you’re looking for;

- Attend high-level workshops and think tanks by leaders in the facility management industry — including topics such as OSHA compliance, BIM, fire safety, security, leadership, strategic management, greening your facility, and energy management;

- Network with facility management executives in the fields of education, government, and healthcare; and

- Enjoy the luxurious setting of the Hotel del Coronado with complimentary golf, deluxe accommodations, gourmet meals, and transportation to and from the airport in San Diego.

Click here now to start filling out your application to attend The TFM Forum: Education, Government, and Healthcare.

March 22-24, 2009 • Hotel del Coronado • San Diego, CA

One of the many compelling reasons to attend The TFM Forum: Education, Government, and Healthcare is to take advantage of a one-of-a-kind conference program led by visionaries and world renowned facility management experts in the field of education, government, and healthcare. You’ll learn how to improve your facility’s energy efficiency, comply with OSHA regulations, become the leader you are destined to be, and more.

A very limited number of invitations that include FREE AIRFARE are still available. Click here to apply for your invitation today.

The following speakers are scheduled to speak at the 2009 TFM Forum: Education, Government, and Healthcare:

GENERAL SESSION: ENERGY MANAGEMENT
Jeff Crane
Senior Property Manager
Childress Klein Properties

THINK TANK: DEVELOPING THE LEADER WITHIN YOU
Jim Barbush
Facilities Contracts Manager
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education

THINK TANK: HELP I’M BEING AUDITED BY OSHA — SIX EASY STEPS TO KEEPING EMPLOYEES SAFE AND SURVIVING THE OSHA VISIT
David Casavant
Executive Director Workplace Safety
Awareness Council

WORKSHOP: FACILITIES DECISION-SUPPORT SYSTEMS: WHY, HOW, AND WHEN?
Kreon Cyros
President & CEO
The In-Site Consortium/MIT/ISFE

WORKSHOP: BIM FOR MULTIPLE FACILITY SITES
Jim Elledge
Facility/Office Services Manager
Summit Alliance Companies

WORKSHOP: FIVE THINGS FACILITY MANAGERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FIRE
Chris Jelenewicz, P.E.
Engineering Program Manager
Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE)

WORKSHOP: OPTIMIZING YOUR PHYSICAL SECURITY STRATEGY
Robert Wetherell
Director, Facilities
Assessment & Information, Pearson

CLOSING SESSION: THINK GREEN, THINK SAFE, THINK BUDGET
Kevin Borg
Director of Facilities and
Project Management
UCLA Athletics Department

Neal Angrisano
Deputy Director of Facilities Management
Johnson County, Kansas
Today’s Facility Manager Facility Executive of the Year, 2008

Click here to find out if you qualify to attend.

If a non-existent travel budget is the only thing standing between you and the industry’s premiere event, your worries are over - The first 10 applicants approved to attend The TFM Forum: Education, Government, and Healthcare will receive free round-trip airfare to San Diego.*

Travel budgets are being slashed due to the economy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t attend The TFM Forum: Education, Government, and Healthcare March 22-24, 2009 at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, CA.

The TFM Forum: Education, Government, and Healthcare is free for qualified facility executives in the fields of education, government, and healthcare who are responsible for the purchase of high volume facility management solutions — we already pick up the tab for hotel accommodations, meals, and ground transportation. But now 10 lucky (and fast!) facility executives will also have their round-trip airfare to the event covered upon approval of their application.

Click here now to start filling out your application to attend The TFM Forum: Education, Government, and Healthcare event.

At the event you’ll learn about your industry, network with other senior facility executives, and evaluate vendor options for your upcoming projects.

In just two days out of the office, you will:

• Meet one-on-one with industry suppliers who represent the products and services you’re looking for;

• Attend high-level workshops and think tanks given by leaders in the facility management industry — including topics such as OSHA compliance, BIM, fire safety, security, leadership, strategic management, greening your facility, and energy management;

• Network with other facility management executives in the fields of education, government, and healthcare at receptions, on the golf course, or at a facility tour; and

• Enjoy the luxurious setting of the Hotel del Coronado with complimentary golf, deluxe accommodations, gourmet meals, transportation to and from the airport in San Diego, California.

For more information about The TFM Forum: Education, Government, and Healthcare please visit www.TFMForum.com.

The magic of Disney has been experienced by millions of people around the world over the past several decades. And there are no doubt numerous aspects of history of Disney parks that remain unknown to the general public. In Anaheim, CA, Disneyland holds more than a few secrets. A few reported recently on Uptake.com include:

* The drawbridge to Sleeping Beauty’s Castle really works.  It’s been raised only twice: once on opening day, and once in the l980s when Fantasyland reopened.

* The crest above the drawbridge is the Disney family crest.

* It took only 364 days to build Disneyland.

* Main Street represents Walt Disney’s home town, Marceline, MO, in 1901 (the year he was born).

More can be found at the Uptake site.

The TFM Forum, which took place in Huntington Beach, CA in November 2008, included a behind the scenes tour of Disneyland. TFM Editor, Heidi Schwartz, wrote about what the group of facility managers attending saw on the tour.

The second day of The TFM Forum and LiveXchange kicked off with breakfast by the beach and a topical keynote from noted economist, Jeff Finn of NAI Global. During his presentation, Finn spoke about the vast opportunities that have come as a result of the turbulent real estate market, and he made note of some of the new regions around the world that have great potential for growth.

Participants in the event spent the rest of the day meeting with sponsors, attending workshops and Think Tanks, and networking during meals. Interaction was lively and productive in all three cases–the sign of a successful event.

Check FacilityBlog tomorrow for an update on the closing.

The TFM Forum and LiveXchange kicked off an extremely successful first day out in Huntington Beach California. Events on Sunday included golf and two facility tours: UCLA’s extensive athletic facilities and Disneyland California’s behind the scenes sneak peak.

The events were designed to help break the ice for sponsors and attendees, and comments after the kickoff indicate all three groups enjoyed the experiences and the networking opportunities. Beautiful (but windy!) weather certainly helped foster a positive response from all participants.

The UCLA tour, hosted by speaker Kevin Borg, inspired many guests to revisit their own (not so stellar) college days. Many even voiced a desire to go back to school–particularly after their trip to the impressive cafeteria.

And the Disneyland California group (pictured, above) started with a look at the “temporarily retired” floats for the Halloween parade (talk about your relamping project), proceeded to the California Screamin’ coaster, and then headed for the bakery. The amazing tour culminated with two versions of the “Soaring” ride–first as a guest, and then hidden from view underneath the ride. Just seeing the inner workings of some of these rides was fascinating, but our gracious host, Kaz Takeda, really went above and beyond the call of duty.

Stay tuned for another update tomorrow.