A smile is the universal welcome -  Max Eastman

I'd like to imagine that the buzzword for facility management professionals around the globe right now is Atlanta.  At the end of this month, our city will play host to the International Facility Management Association's (IFMA) World Workplace 2010 Conference & Expo.  The event will be held from October 27 through October 29, 2010 at the Georgia World Congress Center.  With a year of planning behind us, it is our Chapter's chance to welcome the world to our hometown.  I would like to express my sincere congratulations to everyone for their hard work and attendance.

With nearly a third of our Chapter already registered, I wonder what motivated you to attend.  And I wonder if I can convince a few more of you...who haven't quite registered yet ...to do so even now.

The Expo Floor is the meeting ground for vendors and professionals to get together.  In the Green Zone, an exclusive section of the expo floor reserved for those companies offering environmentally friendly products and services; I'll be scouting out the latest trends in sustainability to bring back to my office environment.  Additionally, our own Atlanta-based venders will be stationed exclusively on Peachtree Street, an area of the floor dedicated exclusively to Atlanta-area exhibitors that will feature nearly two dozen local IFMA members. Having the first Chapter booth, Atlanta Central, "Where we all come together" was planned for chapter members to congregate and encourage others to meet the hometown crew.  We are encouraging conference attendees to come by the booth and participate in our BINGO game in which 500-$5 donations will be made to the Foundation along with 1-$500 BINGO winner.

For the FMer's in the chapter, are you having a tough time deciding which of the more than 75 educational sessions  (all for CEU points) you'll be attending?  IFMA has organized training into 13 different tracks, these sessions offer facility professionals the continuing education necessary to keep both their professional certifications current and meet the challenges posed by today's workplace. Session topics include carbon footprint reduction, energy saving, executive management, high performance building, security, sustainability and more.

Or is it just about networking?  In my previous newsletters, I've talked about how social-networking via the Internet is a great way to engage your colleagues.  But it is always a thrill when you can be old-fashioned and meet the real-life people behind the technology masks of our LinkedIn and Twitter communities.  That personal connection means an awful lot to me as I've met both friends and mentors at Workplaces past.

Finally, please also remember that the conference also benefits the nonprofit IFMA Foundation.  On Tuesday, October 26^th, Doug Underwood/Utilities Council Golf Tournament will fund two US$5,000 scholarships for the Foundation's scholarship program. The IFMA Foundation Gala and silent auction will be held that same evening and is sure to be a great beginning to the conference.  And finally, if you have a passion for the role that education plays in the future of the FM profession, please take advantage of the opportunity to meet some of the brightest student minds as well as leaders of the various Accredited Degree Programs at the Thursday, October 28^th, IFMA Foundation Education Reception & Scholarship Presentation. 

There so many more exciting activities that this newsletter article would be a telephone book if I mentioned them all, but these highlights should be enough to convenience anyone who has not registered yet, to do so.  I can't wait to see you all at the World Congress Center and remember to smile.  After all, this is our party.*

Christy

*Volunteer positions are still available.  See www.ifmaatlanta.org to register.