State of the Chapter and Expo Recap | | |
Thanks to everyone who came out to our Facility Expo, "Empowering Facility Professionals: Helping Teams Get 'Stuff' Done." The event brought together facility management professionals from across the region for a day of learning, collaboration, and actionable insights.
Our Programs Committee designed the day with a practical focus, featuring education sessions, a dynamic Q&A panel that addressed everyday challenges faced by those managing complex facilities, and time to network with associate and professional members.
Seasoned FMs and emerging professionals walked away with tools, techniques, and inspiration to help their teams get things done — more efficiently and more effectively. The event underscored the power of collaboration, shared learning, and the critical role facility professionals play in building smarter, more resilient operations.
Chapter President, Adam Thordarson, also provided our 2025 “State of the Chapter” address during the event. The chapter is thriving in 2025, thanks to strong leadership, active member engagement, and robust sponsor support. With successful events like Lunch and Learns, tours, roundtables, and a strong financial rebound post-COVID, the chapter has maintained 12 months of operating funds while keeping its mission in focus. Sustaining sponsorships at Diamond, Platinum, Gold, and Silver levels have fueled programming and educational opportunities, including mentorship, outreach, and collaboration with organizations like the Smart Buildings Center and local colleges. A dedicated board and growing committees continue to refine strategy, expand the team, and drive impactful programming that meets the evolving needs of our community.
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May Lunch and Learn Event
"Making the Business Case: A Cost Framework for Smart Building Adoption"
Friday, May 30th, 2025
Smart Buildings Center | Seattle, WA
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Learning Objectives
- Understand The Complete Cost Picture: Participants will identify a comprehensive cost perspective associated with smart building adoption, including those typically overlooked in traditional business cases.
- Apply a Structured Framework: Attendees will learn how to use insights from emerging research to develop more comprehensive business cases for technology initiatives.
- Recognize Organizational Impacts: Facility professionals will gain insights into quantifying and planning for the human and organizational costs of technology adoption.
- Develop Stronger Business Cases: Participants will acquire practical strategies to build compelling, realistic business cases that address stakeholders' concerns across different organizational levels.
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Facility Tour
Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. Seattle Headquarters Tour
A tour of the Seattle corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility of the The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a private, non-profit social enterprise whose mission is to empower people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities through sustainable employment and transformative services for independence and career advancement.
Friday, June 6th
8:30AM - 12:30PM
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. | Seattle, WA
Free Event for All
Note: Wear closed-toe shoes for walking through the production floor.
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June Lunch and Learn Event
Friday, June 27th
11:30AM - 1:00PM
More information coming soon!
| | | Golf Classic - Save the Date! | | |
Member Highlights
Our chapter is dedicated to our members and would like to showcase the efforts of professional and associate members alike! If you have a member to showcase in our newsletter, please contact melanie.danuser@buildingpotential.org
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MacDonald Miller
Platinum Chapter Sponsor
At MacDonald-Miller, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. We have implemented several steps to ensure a diverse internal workforce, including targeted recruitment at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), partnerships with the Black Engineers Association, and outreach to LGBTQ+ and women-focused organizations in trades and construction. Additionally, we engage in high school and technical training outreach to attract a diverse pool of candidates early on.
Since the Inclusion Council's inception in 2020, we have welcomed new members and set new goals to refine our initiatives. Our motto, "You Be You and Together We Can," underscores our belief that diverse perspectives drive success. The Inclusion Council focuses on three pillars: Community Outreach, Education and Retention, and Recruitment. Key initiatives include DEIB training for management, equitable recruiting and retention practices, and strong relationships with local organizations like SPIN and ANEW.
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Wildfire Awareness Month
May is Wildfire Awareness Month. FEA is raising awareness through a Ready Set Go initiative!
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Energy Benchmarking Deadlines
(Nonresidential and Multifamily Buildings 20,000+ Square Feet)
The Reporting Year 2024 Compliance Portal is now live! Benchmarking data for all buildings must be submitted by June 1st, 2025, for the 2024 reporting year.*
Please check your property’s compliance status in the portal 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.
The City of Seattle Energy Benchmarking Reporting Year 2024 Compliance Portal is now live. Owners of buildings that are required to Benchmark can submit their energy use data now or learn more about the assistance OSE offers.
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Building Tune-Up Deadlines
Cohort 2 Buildings (Nonresidential Buildings 100,000–199,999 SF)
Owners of Cohort 2 buildings have until April 1st, 2025, to submit a complete Tune-Up Summary Report before a first Notice of Violation with a $2,500 penalty will be issued. Owners of buildings that remain noncompliant after October 1st, 2025 will receive a second Notice of Violation with a $10,000 penalty.
If you are working on a tune-up that will not be completed by the deadline, please submit an incomplete Tune-Up Summary Report in the Seattle Service Portal, to demonstrate actions owners have initiated and what remains unfinished. While all required corrective actions must be completed before a tune-up is approved, a partial tune-up shows which buildings are close to compliance.
Cohort 3 Buildings (Nonresidential Buildings 70,000–99,999 SF)
The deadline for owners of Cohort 3 buildings to apply for an extension, waiver, and alternative compliance request is April 1st, 2025. All owners that do not apply for an extension, waiver, or alternative compliance request by this Tuesday must complete their second cycle tune-up by October 1st, 2025.
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Qualified Energy Manager Training
June (multiple days), hosted by the Smart Buildings Center in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Commerce
The Qualified Energy Management (QEM) course is designed to equip building professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to comply with the Tier 2 requirements of the Washington State’s Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS). There are multiple options to attend either virtually or in person this June. This comprehensive training is ideal for building operators, energy managers, and facility staff. More information and registration details can be found here.
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FM Tech Week 2025
Get a front row seat to FM innovation with live and on-demand tech demos, expert insights and direct access to subject matter experts. Join virtually June 16th - 20th from anywhere and stay ahead of what’s next in tech and facility management. Membership in the IT Community is not required to attend.
Volunteer as a Judge
Volunteer as a judge for IFMA’s 2025 Awards of Excellence and help recognize outstanding facility professionals. Judging takes just 10-15 hours from June 9th – July 11th. Volunteer on the awards website and choose your preferred categories!
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World Workplace Registration Open!
At World Workplace, we're bringing together the brightest minds in facility management, workplace strategy and business innovation.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just dipping your toes into the world of facility management, World Workplace has something for everyone. Come for the knowledge, stay for the experience and leave with a toolbox full of ideas to revolutionize your facilities.
Early Bird Rates End June 27th—Register now!
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Thank You to Our
2025 Annual Sustaining Sponsors!
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International Facility Management Association
5727 Baker Way NW Suite 200 | Gig Harbor, WA 98332
(253) 265-3042
https://www.ifma.org/
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