IFMA reschedules and relocates World Workplace 2020 Conference and Expo

After weighing multiple options for our annual flagship event and reviewing recent survey responses from past attendees, IFMA is proceeding with its World Workplace 2020 Conference and Expo as a live event with a change in dates and location.

Previously scheduled for Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2020, in Chicago, Illinois, USA, World Workplace will now take place Dec. 9-11, 2020, at the Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel & Convention Center, located between Dallas and Fort Worth (DFW) in historic Grapevine, Texas, USA.

Less than a 10-minute drive from DFW International Airport, the Gaylord Texan is a four-star resort situated on 125 acres at the southern tip of Lake Grapevine. With more than 490,000 square feet of event space, it can accommodate all aspects of IFMA’s conference and expo, from meeting rooms to guest rooms to exhibit space.

“For the safety and peace of mind of attendees and staff, World Workplace will be self-contained in one facility, with no overlap from other conferences,” said IFMA Director, Conferences and Events Ann Loayza, CMP.

IFMA’s Health and Safety Protocol Task Force has been working to ensure that World Workplace is a model of excellence in providing a safe environment for all attendees. “By implementing the latest, most highly recommended safety measures, IFMA will lead the way in demonstrating what reopening a facility for group gatherings looks like,” added Loayza.

The Gaylord Texan is a Marriott International property. As part of Marriott’s Commitment to Clean, the facility has 200+ cleaning protocols throughout every physical space in the hotel. The resort’s multi-pronged approach to the health and safety of guests and staff will be combined with IFMA’s on-site event protocols, including:

• Mandatory temperature scans
• Required masks
• Social distancing practices
• On-site medical assistance

“We’re responding to our community’s desire to network and learn in a ‘normal’ environment,” said IFMA President and COO Don Gilpin. “Facility management professionals who have been on the front lines of facility shut-downs and re-entry want to share their experiences with colleagues and gain even more insight into safety procedures and preparedness moving forward. Questions about how best to address challenges presented by the pandemic and other factors impacting the industry are ongoing. IFMA has a commitment to safely and responsibly facilitate necessary conversations and essential training for the benefit of our industry and everyone who enters the built environment.”

Early-bird registration, which saves attendees US$100, will be extended to Sept. 18, 2020. IFMA’s cancellation policy has been updated to state that attendees who need to cancel their registration for any reason can receive a 100% refund before Oct. 12, 2020. After this date, they have the option to either transfer registration to World Workplace 2021 or to a colleague. 

Learn more about programming, on-site health and safety protocols, speakers and registration options at worldworkplace.ifma.org.

About IFMA’s World Workplace

Now more than ever, coming together to exchange experiences and viewpoints on managing through crisis, anticipating and mitigating risks, developing plans for resilience and forecasting the future of the built world is of the greatest importance to the facility management (FM) industry. IFMA’s World Workplace is the original all-encompassing learning and networking event on facilities and how to manage them. It is the gold standard in FM education, knowledge exchange, career development and professional network building. Hosted by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), World Workplace facilitates idea sharing and best-practice exchange between all professionals who support the built environment.

What: IFMA’s World Workplace 2020 Conference and Expo
When: Dec. 9-11, 2020
Where: Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel & Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas, USA