IFMA National News

Our chapter also received two discounted registrations! This offer is valid on a first come, first serve basis and is worth $100 off a Full Facility Fusion registration! Contact office@ifmaseattle.org to claim the code!

Dates: April 7 – April 9, 2026

Location: Hilton San Francisco Union Square, San Francisco, California

Features:

Engaging education sessions covering the latest trends and innovations in facility management
High-impact networking opportunities with industry leaders and peers
Access to the expo floor showcasing cutting-edge solutions and services
Facility tours and curated sessions designed for professional growth
Thought-provoking keynotes and expert presenters tailored for FM professionals

Calling all FM students

Join IFMA for free through April 10.

Connect with facility managers around the world, access career resources and start building your professional network from day one.

Start your journey with IFMA.

Join Today

Our chapter is proud to support the IFMA Foundation’s work through scholarships and workforce development. Each year, scholarship recipients tell us that IFMA Foundation support extends far beyond financial assistance. Scholarships ease financial pressure, create access to industry experiences, and provide meaningful connections that shape career paths. As one recent awardee shared:

Chapter Events

Facility Tour

Bullitt Center

March 20, 2026

9:00AM - 12:00PM

2026 Expo, Education & Annual Meeting

What keeps you up at night: An FMs guide to a good nights sleep

May 13, 2026 | Mercer Island, WA

This year, we’re tackling the real challenges that keep Facility Managers and Professionals awake after hours—from operational pressures and emerging technologies to staffing, compliance, sustainability, and futureproofing. Spend the day connecting with fellow professionals, gaining practical insights, and exploring innovative solutions designed to lighten the load and strengthen your strategic toolkit.

Come for the education, stay for the community—and leave with actionable guidance (and maybe even a better night’s sleep).

Save the Date: 2026 Annual Golf Tournament

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

8:00AM - 4:00PM

More details coming soon!

Check Out Our Entire Calendar of Events

Chapter Announcements

We’re proud to share an article written by our chapter secretary and Museum of Flight Facilities Coordinator, Madeline Neubauer, that was recently featured on the The Museum of Flight blog. "If you find wonder and excitement in the details of essential building components, continue for this brief exploration into the world of The Museum of Flight facilities. You may ask yourself, what is behind that closed door? Today, let’s open them and show you the remarkably unremarkable spaces of The Museum of Flight."

Full article here: https://blog.museumofflight.org/hidden-above

Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Cindy Strickland , Client Development Executive at MillerKnoll and IFMA Greater Seattle Chapter Membership Committee Co Chair.

With more than 20 years of IFMA membership, Cindy continues to find inspiration in the strength and diversity of the facility management community. Her passion for connection and learning has made her a valued resource for fellow members and a dedicated advocate for professional growth.

Cindy shares that facility tours remain her favorite IFMA events, offering behind the scenes insight into the unique demands of different environments. This year, the Kirkland Fire Station and Woodland Park Zoo stood out as memorable experiences, each revealing the complexity and care required to support first responders and wildlife alike.

Her perspective captures what makes facilities management so meaningful: variety, challenge, and continuous discovery.

Member Highlights:

We love spotlighting our members and the work you are doing to transform the field of Facilities Management. Want to be highlighted or know someone doing awesome work? Email us at office@ifmaseattle.org.

Mentorship Program

The Greater Seattle Chapter of IFMA Mentorship Program creates pathways to career success through the collaborative engagement between experienced and early career FM professionals.

In alignment with the greater strategy of the Greater Seattle Chapter of IFMA and Education Committee Charter, the Mentorship program serves as a member benefit, with shared value for both Mentors and Mentees. This program pairs Mentees with knowledgeable Mentors, providing tenured FM’s an opportunity to share their valuable knowledge to enhance the development of the next generation of industry professionals.

Participants also serve as IFMA Ambassadors, speaking to the benefits of a career in FM, IFMA credentials/programming, and connecting purpose with this line of work.

Interested in becoming a mentee or mentor? Visit https://www.ifmaseattle.org/mentorship-resources for more information!

Regional News

Help Desk Contact Info

Energy Benchmarking: EnergyBenchmarking@seattle.gov | 206-727-8484

Building Tune-Ups: BuildingTuneUps@seattle.gov | 206-727-8863

Clean Buildings Performance Standard

The Smart Buildings Center’s Clean Buildings Performance Standard Technical Assistance provides statewide benchmarking assistance, support, resources, and trainings to assist building owners in reaching compliance with the Clean Buildings Performance Standard.

The service is being sponsored and made possible by the Washington State Department of Commerce and participating utilities.

BOC Courses

IFMA members receive $100 off any BOC course registration, visit theboc.info/wa for more information or contact melanie.danuser@buildingpotential.org

Energy Benchmarking

Data Year 2025 Reporting Cycle is Now Under Way!

The Data Year 2025 Energy Benchmarking Compliance Lookup Tool is now live! Benchmarking data for all buildings greater than 20,000 square feet must be submitted by June 1, 2026, for the 2025 calendar year.

Check your building’s compliance status in the Lookup Tool by searching the OSE Building ID, property name, or ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® username. Many properties have fallen out of compliance with Seattle’s annual reporting requirement.

Once you have completed all required annual update steps, please recheck your property’s status on the Benchmarking Compliance Lookup Tool, which is updated every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Visit the Benchmarking Instructions page for more detailed guidance. If you need help or one-on-one support, Benchmarking Technical Assistance is available.

Seattle is Implementing a New Technology for Benchmarking & BEPS

In July 2026, OSE will launch the Touchstone IQ platform as the new data management tool for Energy Benchmarking compliance. This tool is used by many other cities and integrates with users’ ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® accounts. Then, beginning in early 2027, OSE will update its Touchstone IQ platform to add features for Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) compliance. Here are some additional key points:

Buildings that are in benchmarking compliance prior to the June 1, 2026, deadline will not need to take any additional steps for Data Year 2025 reporting.
Buildings that remain non-compliant after the June 1^st deadline will be required to achieve compliance under the new process established with Touchstone IQ.
Moving forward, building owners will continue to use ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® to collect energy and buildings data. However, Touchstone IQ will become the hub for compliance, reporting, and technical assistance for benchmarking and BEPS.
All covered buildings will need to comply with energy benchmarking for Data Year 2026 by June 1, 2027, via the Touchstone IQ platform. Subsequently, all BEPS compliance activities will occur in the Touchstone IQ platform.

Please stay tuned to future bulletins and monitor seattle.gov/energybenchmarking for more information on energy benchmarking compliance, trainings, and the launch of Touchstone IQ.

It’s Time to Get Ready: Join a Building Emissions Navigator Coaching Cohort

Beginning in 2027, the Seattle Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) will require owners of large buildings to verify their building energy benchmarking data and to submit a Greenhouse Gas Report that outlines their plans for meeting future emissions targets. With these new requirements on the horizon, 2026 is the right time to begin preparing for BEPS.

The Seattle Building Emissions Navigator offers free group training and customized technical assistance for your building to get ready for compliance — and it’s available to building operators, owners, and property management teams.

Before enrolling, you must attend a one hour online info session or watch the info session recording. Then email cleanbuildings@seattle.gov to request an enrollment form.

Are you interested in joining us in 2026 as an Annual Sustaining Sponsor?

Email office@ifmaseattle.org for more info!

Connect with IFMA

International Facility Management Association

5727 Baker Way NW Suite 200 | Gig Harbor, WA 98332

(253) 265-3042

https://www.ifma.org/