Facilities Show 2018

The largest global gathering of FMs will take place from 19 to 21 June at ExCeL London. In our special show guide, we introduce some of the highlights of the three days, while a group of exhibitors tell us their plans and expectations for the event

The Facilities Show returns to ExCel this month with an even more varied array of exhibitors and a stellar line-up of speakers, who will be taking part in a variety of seminars and workshops in and around the halls. Co-located alongside the show are other events relevant to FMs, including IFSEC International – the specialist integrated security summit; Safety & Health Expo – Europe’s dedicated health and safety event, and Firex International – the global centre of excellence for fire safety.

SEMINARS AND EVENTS
The Facilities Show 2018 has once again attracted a group of inspirational speakers, contractors and individuals. Held in association with the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) and real estate firm CBRE, this year’s programme includes comedian and mental health expert Ruby Wax OBE, former Army Brigadier Nicky Moffat CBE, and Sir Clive Woodward OBE.

The Keynote Theatre is designed explicitly for facilities management practitioners, with each day split into different themes: the workplace, technology and people, with a programme of presentations and panel discussions on topics including workplaces of the future, security, delivering top-class FM on a budget, leadership, office refurbs and relocations, technology disruption, diversity, skills and recruitment, getting recognition in the boardroom and flexible working.

BIFM will be hosting a free smart client programme, equipping attendees with the knowledge and tools to make smart procurement decisions, enabling successful client-supplier partnerships. Seminar sessions will be followed by pre-booked one-to-one appointments with selected suppliers, addressing procurement needs in a time-efficient manner within a secure setting.

Taking place for the first time at the show will be the renowned Smartworking Summit – chaired by John Blackwell, Managing Director of Quora Consulting, which will discuss the impact of AI in the workplace with a group of senior board executives. Participants include Richard Branson, Chairman, Virgin Group, and Lord Tim Clement Jones, Chair of the House of Lords Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence. Register as a delegate at www.quoraconsulting.com/summits

FMJ DEBATE
Between 12 and 12.40pm on day one, FMJ will hold a debate on the workplaces of the future, where delegates can hear predictions on what they might expect from their workplace by 2025. We know there is likely to be an increase in non-traditional spaces such as gyms – but what will be the biggest challenge for FMs in managing the workplaces of the future?

ASSURITY CONSULTING  STAND R600

Greg Davies

Assurity Consulting is a long-standing supporter, exhibitor, attendee and speaker at the Facilities Show. Greg Davies, Director of Market Development, says: “It is one of the few times in the year you get that big picture view of the industry and how or what is affecting our marketplace.

“While Assurity Consulting is a niche provider, the workplace and wellbeing agenda is very much our domain, be it air quality, health and safety, asbestos, Legionella, access, occupancy comfort, fire, environment or water. And with over 30 years’ experience in delivering accredited effective management around each of these disciplines, we have the solutions too.

“Having the Facilities Show co-located is also an advantage, particularly with Firex International and the Health and Safety Expo. Because of the interrelationship between the different disciplines, we can have a facilities manager, fire responsible person and health and safety manager all on our stand at the same time posing a question or looking for that answer.

“This year will also be the first we have had our ‘assured advice’ in place for Legionella risk assessments, and there may be more news on the subject of primary authority at the show. We will also have a range of subject experts on hand to answer any questions visitors may have or issues they want to discuss.

“We have always viewed attending/exhibiting at the Facilities Show as an investment. Not only do we meet potentially new as well as existing customers in an ‘out of the office’ environment, but we can learn through the seminar programme and assess the developing themes in the marketplace all at one event.

“Our industry is broad and eclectic, so the show offers those attending the opportunity to inform and be informed. Whether you are looking for that one product or service, just seeing what is on offer, or wanting advice in a particular area, the chances are you will find it.”

BUILD RECRUITMENT  STAND T820

Coleen Cloherty

Build Recruitment is a specialist recruiter based in London and the south west, with 45 experts based across both locations delivering bespoke recruitment solutions to partners in the built environment.

Says Coleen Cloherty, Managing Director: “Events like the Facilities Show allow us to directly connect with the professionals we cater to, whether it’s meeting new contacts or strengthening our partnerships with existing clients.

“As well as the excellent networking opportunities presented by the show, we love the learning experiences that can be found at such events. While you can gather a wealth of knowledge to absorb as you stroll around the room and attend the seminars, heading out of the Facilities Show and into any of the surrounding shows, including IFSEC, Firex and the Safety & Health Expo, leave multiple opportunities to fill your notebooks and goodie bags over the three days.

“Being able to exchange expertise on a large scale is beneficial for everybody involved. We will be offering trade industry news, recruitment advice and career guidance on a one-on-one basis. We appreciate that people are the core of FM and want to hear directly from those in the field.

“I will also be attending a panel on Thursday 21 June entitled ‘FM in 2025: the people and skills needed to drive FM in the future’. I have a lengthy career in FM spanning almost two decades, and take care to keep up to date with everything topical in the discipline.

“I’m eager to participate in the dialogue around the future of this exponentially growing industry. I enjoy the back-and-forth at events like the Facilities Show, because we’ve learned that this kind of open communication is what leads to success. I’m keen to talk about developments in FM, like the implementation of artificial intelligence and virtual reality, and learn what others feel will be important for the upcoming generation of FM experts to master.

“Attending the show this year will bring a wealth of knowledge to every visitor, and we look forward to seeing you at the event.”

CRIMSON TIDE MPRO  STAND N920

Dan Teare

Crimson Tide MPRO is a developer of mobile enterprise solutions. The company intends to showcase its new internet of things module, which has just been made available on its mpro5 mobile workforce platform.

“Mpro5 is a mobile workforce solution, available across iOS, Android and Windows 10,” says Dan Teare, UK Sales Manager. “It’s available on a monthly subscription and can be used by FM organisations, large and small, to mobilise their workforce and workflows. There are lots of IoT ‘point solutions’ on the market that are fine for serving their single purpose, but what happens to that data once it’s been captured? Who follows up on that alert? How do they know what to do? That’s where we step in.

“Through mpro5’s IoT module, follow-up actions such as jobs or workflows can be automatically created for field staff to carry out on their mobile device as soon as required. This not only improves staff productivity and customer service, but can save organisations significant amounts of capital since they only use resources when required.

“The show is a great opportunity to network and catch up with some of our clients and other like-minded individuals within the FM sector. I would be lying if I didn’t say it’s also a good opportunity for me to check out what our competitors are up to. “The seminars and networking events are a great way to keep up to date with industry trends. I’d definitely like to listen to Sir Clive Woodward’s talk.

“Every individual within an organisation, regardless of seniority, faces challenges on a daily basis. Technology offers solutions to help overcome many of these challenges. With this in mind, I believe that new ideas and inspiration will be the main take-aways that visitors will get from attending the show. By talking to exhibitors about your business goals and challenges, they’ll be able to provide you with insight and best practice advice as to how you might overcome these issues.”