Many of the conversations I’ve had with facility executives over the past few months have focused on two pain points: money and people.  

Neither is surprising. With inflation, tariffs and federal grant freezes, budgets at many facilities are tight. On the staffing side, it’s either older employees retiring, younger ones too hesitant to join the industry, or both. Either way, departments are finding themselves doing more with less.  

We sympathize with these struggles and are helping to provide a solution. We used these discussions to guide the agenda for our upcoming Elevate facility leadership summit happening in Boston this Sept. 25 and 26. For example, speakers will discuss creative strategies for unlocking funding for facility projects. We've also put together a panel of facility leaders to share how they are cultivating future talent in their departments.   

But these are just two of the presentations you’ll hear at Elevate. We'll also be discussing carbon neutral facilities by showcasing Boston University’s fossil-fuel-free Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences building. In addition, I’ll be sitting down with Facility Influencer Shawn Black to talk about AI, Internet of Things, automation and other technology disrupting the industry.  

Beyond those keynotes, Elevate is designed to give attendees the opportunity to make rich connections with their peers and compare best practices. This intimate event provides ample time for peer-to-peer learning through breakout roundtable discussions, meals, and receptions.  

Of course, we want to have a little fun, too. We’re kicking off the event with a special behind-the-scenes facility tour of Fenway Park. Attendees will get a chance to learn about the iconic ballpark’s operations and sustainability initiatives from the ballpark’s 30-year-veteran and director of facilities. Discover what it takes to maintain a 100-year-old facility while still meeting modern expectations.     

There’s still time to register for Elevate. Click here to learn more and book your ticket. I hope to see you in Boston.