Seminars

Title	Strategies for Sustainable Facilities
Code	[W01]
Time	Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 10:00AM - 3:00PM & Thurs. 8:30am - 11:00am
Level	Intermediate
CEU	0.7
Fee	$485
Streams	Dealer, Architectural Design, Facility Management, Hospitality Design, Retail Design, Sustainable Design, Workplace Design

Sustainability has fast become the key issue of this generation, and has great impact on our day-to-day workplace functions. Key linkages that exist between sustainability and the function of a facility include: budgeting, space use planning, interior design, strategic planning, policy development and implementation, consultation and the relationship between design, technology and building users.

Participating in this new “green-rush” is not merely an adjunct to your current business practices because it is expected of you. There are challenges to be met and strategic choices to be made. Developing and implementing strategies presents new challenges and opportunities for facility management professionals.

The function and efficiency of facilities impact on every facet of conducting business. Energy costs are rising, employees are seeking comfortable and engaging workplaces and employers are looking to increase efficiencies and cut costs in a climate of economic uncertainty.

The goal of this workshop is to highlight opportunities for proactive and forward thinking in facility management. Concepts discussed will include: the definition of sustainability, the role of sustainability in strategic management, resource and energy management, and integrated facility management. This presentation will lay the framework for all professions involved in maintaining a sustainable and efficient environment.

In addition, workshop attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a special session designed to provide insight on how to skillfully influence others. Exercising Influence: Building Relationships and Getting results enables immediate application of new skills to achieve outstanding business results.

Objectives:

By attending this workshop, participants:
1. Will learn how consultation can ensure that the built environment suits the needs of key user groups.
2. Will gain understanding of how sustainability planning is a core process in all key facility functions.
3. Will learn how sustainability plays an important role in developing and operating a positive and comfortable environment.
4. Will learn about the evolution of facility management into its integrated form.
5. Will learn about strategic planning and its importance in facility management.

Who Should Attend:

This workshop is geared towards facility managers, interior designers, building managers, space planners and other professionals involved in facilities.

Speakers:Marcia O’Connor is a senior management consulting specialist and principal with AM FM Consulting Group Inc., a company specializing in asset management and facilities management consulting. She has worked helping organizations in education, knowledge transfer, and change/transition management strategies. Her areas of specialty include facilities space planning, strategic planning, implementation planning, and coordination of facility evaluations and portfolio reviews.

Marcia is a member of the International Facility Management Association and currently provides program expertise and coordinates the Facility Management Certificate Program, offered for the last eight years at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering.

Beth Savan is the inaugural Sustainability Director at the University of Toronto, where she has been responsible for establishing the Sustainability Office and managing its staff, for engaging over 100 students a year in sustainability activities on campus, and for overseeing energy and resource conservation programs. For seven years, Beth directed the Environmental Studies Program at Innis College, University of Toronto. She served as Research Director for the Centre for Environment and has a cross-appointment as an Adjunct Professor in the Geography Department and in the Masters in Planning Program. Beth obtained her PhD in insect ecology from the Imperial College of Science and Technology at the University of London (England), and has received numerous large research grants, most recently to work on energy conservation on campus, on community sustainability locally, on climate change internationally, and on barriers and factors facilitating Community Based Research in Canada.

Ashley Taylor is the Sustainability Coordinator at University of Toronto Sustainability Office. Ashley completed her B.A.Sc. at the University of Toronto in Engineering Science in 2006. Her specialization in Infrastructure Development led her to become involved with the Sustainability Office through her thesis work. She is now the Sustainability Office’s co-coordinator and her work focuses mainly on the development of a sustainable plan for energy and resource use on the campus. She is also a part-time student pursuing a Masters in Civil & Environmental Engineering.

Gregg Brown is the Director of Training and Learning Solutions at SPM Group Ltd. A seasoned and dynamic workshop leader, consultant and project manager, he provides expertise in areas such as leadership development, strategic planning, change management and adult learning to improve organizational performance. He has worked in a variety of sectors including health, criminal justice, not-for-profit, government, and business.

For nearly 15 years, Gregg has consulted and collaborated with organizations locally, nationally and internationally to help them grow and prosper. He has developed and lead over 650 seminars, retreats, presentations, and planning sessions to over 4000 participants. Gregg has helped both organizations and individuals clarify their vision and purpose and to develop the necessary skills and plans to achieve these goals. He has also developed comprehensive learning solutions for individuals ranging from frontline staff to CEOs. Prior to joining SPM Group, he was the project manager on a $2.1 million innovative health care initiative.

In addition to volunteer and pro-bono work for non-profit organizations, Gregg is an active member in the Canadian Society for Training and Development and has received the Certified Training and Development Professional (CTDP) designation. He holds a Masters degree in Training and Human Resource Management from the University of Leicester in the UK, and his Project Management Professional (PMP) designation from the Project Management Institute.

PLEASE NOTE: This seminar carries over to Thursday, from 8:30AM to 11:00AM.