A deep-dive cleaning assessment is the best way to ensure you are protecting the health of facility occupants and the future of your cleaning operation.

In June, the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) Commissioner of the Public Buildings Service (PBS) Nina Albert testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management. In her testimony, Commissioner Albert underscored the importance of properly maintaining federal facilities for the safety of the public and federal employees; the financial risks to the government if we do not address mounting deferred maintenance; and, the savings to taxpayers if we proactively address these issues.

PBS Commissioner Nina Albert asserted, "The opportunity is here to work together to achieve better outcomes while saving taxpayers money."

Citric acid cleaning solutions are gaining more interest in the professional cleaning industry. ProNatural Brands, a manufacturer of cleaning solutions made from citric acid, explains two major reasons for this:

However, to take advantage of the benefits of citric acid cleaning solutions, sanitizers and disinfectants, ProNatural Brands advises cleaning professionals to be aware of certain “DOs and DON’Ts.

There’s a strong business case for including renewable energy assets in real estate development plans, according to a new report from the Urban Land Institute (ULI). Investments in renewable energy have the potential to unlock billions in new real estate value, helping owners reduce long-term energy costs and in many cases generate supplemental income from their existing assets.

Renewable Energy Strategies for Real Estate is the latest report from ULI’s Greenprint Center for Building Performance. As momentum builds for decarbonizing the built environment, the report provides a comprehensive framework for implementing renewable energy both on- and off-site. By prioritizing renewable energy in their projects, real estate organizations can reduce their carbon footprint and add value for buildings, tenants, investors, and communities.

Facility managers will be walking the line when they reach Nashville to attend World Workplace 2022, Sept. 28-30. The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has chosen “Take Center Stage” as the conference theme in recognition of the changing role of FMs in the workplace arena. “As the curtain lifts on FM’s shift from purely operational to indispensably strategic, there’s no business like know business,” says IFMA. “Get your act together – this year’s marquee FM event in Music City Center will prepare you to take center stage in making the spaces you manage your tour de force.”

World Workplace is the largest facility management conference in the world, offering discussions and sessions on FM and the wider built environment since 1995. World Workplace offers sessions in tracks, introducing “Emerging Topics” that consist of new or evolving business functions, external influences, or mandates that have a high probability of impacting the FM profession in terms of roles, responsibilities, and skills and knowledge requirements. The other tracks are FM Solutions; Finance & Business; Leadership & Strategy; Operations & Maintenance; Project Management; Risk Management; Facility Information Management & Technology Management; Occupancy & Human Factors; Performance & Human Factors. Sustainability; and Workplace Evolutionaries.

The responsibilities of facility managers have been growing and evolving rapidly. With its global study, the 2022 FM Training Outlook Survey, the Professional Facility Management Institute (ProFMI) explored the need for FM training and credentials from both the management and staff points of view.

When it comes to addressing the FM skills gap, ProFMI identified 24 cross-functional competencies and FM knowledge areas required of FMs today. Many of these skills can be developed over time with on-the-job experience, but as the need for job-ready FMs grows, time is a limiting factor. Benchmarking existing knowledge and filling the gaps with training is an efficient path to a skilled workforce.

If you haven’t checked out an fnPrime virtual FM Huddle yet, be sure to set aside 20 minutes on August 19. These short, virtual networking opportunities connect facility managers (FMs) together to ask questions and share advice. For the past few months, fnPrime has been helping members solve problems ranging from indoor air quality to electric vehicles. No topic is off limits!

The next Huddle takes place Friday, August 19 at 9 a.m. Eastern. Click here to register.

If it seems like it’s been four years since a National Facilities Management & Technology (NFMT) Conference and Expo was held in Las Vegas, it’s because that’s exactly how long it’s been. NFMT Remix makes its long-awaited return to Las Vegas November 2-3, 2022, at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Resort Conference Center.

What’s new at Remix after a four-year hiatus? Lots! Attendees have three options to register: Basic (Free), Pro ($29), and Elite ($149). Basic grants you entry to the expo hall. Pro Level gets you expo hall access as well as full access to the conference agenda and networking party. Pro Level attendees also receive a tote bag, lunch coupons and ability to earn CEUs at the event. Elite Level gets you everything Pro Level offers as well as access to facilities tours, a complimentary 6-month fnPrime membership and access to NFMT Remix videos on demand.