Add Elevate to Your Education Menu

12/6/2024

What do McDonald’s and the White House have in common? No, I’m not talking about president-elect Trump’s recent “drive-through press conference.” I’m referring to the fact that facility representatives from both premier institutions were represented at our Elevate leadership summit in Chicago. 
 
This past September, Building Operating Management launched Elevate, an intimate gathering of executive-level facility personnel. Attendees included C-suite leaders, vice presidents, directors and senior managers from a cross-section of markets: commercial real estate, K-12 school districts, universities, senior care, municipal government, professional sports and more.  
 
Although they came from diverse backgrounds, each relished the unique educational offerings specific to top level facility management and conversations that centered on the issues influencing the industry and impacting departments.  
 
Our morning keynote featured the deputy director of facility management and service programs for the National Capital Region of the General Services Administration. One of the 600 buildings in this sector is the country’s most famous facility — the White House. Our presenter shared how the GSA is pushing the boundaries of facility management by emphasizing digitalization and using technologies to create efficiencies.  
 
Following that, I sat down with the head of design and construction for McDonald’s Corp. for a fireside chat. We discussed how, with 14,000 restaurants spread across the United States, facilities need to practice consistency to be managed effectively, especially when thousands of buildings need to be renovated each year — and now with ambitious sustainability goals to achieve by 2030 and 2050.  
 
One of the major benefits of this small event included the opportunities for meaningful networking and small group discussions. As one of our attendees told us, “The time spent was incredibly valuable. It not only broadened my knowledge, but it broadened my network, which I've come to rely on heavily." 
 
Like those who attended, I walked away from this event with new perspectives to enhance our content and new contacts to add to my network. But this is just a glimpse into all that Elevate had to offer. Click here to learn more about Elevate in our special post-event e-book. Also, watch for details about next year’s conference in the coming weeks. If you are interested in attending, send me an email.  

Dan Weltin is the editor-in-chief for the facility market. He has nearly 20 years of experience covering the facility management and commercial cleaning industries.