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20.06.2011 15:15

Global FM and EuroFM host International Workshop in Vienna, Austria

The workshop discussed sustainability matters and the need of internationally accepted definitions and standards for FM

AUTHOR: publics.bg

The Global Facility Management Association, together with the European Facility Management Network, organised the 12th annual Global FM International Workshop in Vienna, Austria, on 23 May. Sponsored by the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, Construction Unit, and EuroFM members, the debate centered around the 2011 Global FM workshop theme: ―The New Economy – the Right Time and Right Place for FM. The event featured representation from countries including the U.K., Switzerland, Spain, Ukraine, Australia, U.S.A., Hungary, Austria and others.

Composing the workshop panel were Gordon McMillan, Euro FM Chair of Corporate Associates, Wilfried Hauffen from Baxter Deutschland and Timur Bondaryev from Arzinger. Alex Redlein, FM Professor at the Vienna University of Technology, moderated the panel session.

The event started with an introduction from Fred Kloet, EuroFM Vice-Chair, who provided an overview of the European 2020 Strategy detailing how EuroFM will try to connect with the European Commission in regard to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The discussions that followed touched upon pertinent questions including: ―Is there a need for international FM standards? and ―Should there be an internationally-accepted definition of FM?

Participants felt there is a need to gather and communicate common core competencies in FM. Educating facility management professionals to meet the highest levels within those competencies was considered crucial by most participants. One important take away for many was the continuing need to communicate the value FM brings to the corporations, universities, agencies, and governments the profession serves.

“The value of joining Global FM lies not only in information sharing and learning, but also in building an international FM culture to connect our sector with the rest of the global economy. This workshop delivered the opportunities to do just that, said Fred Kloet. ―The diversity in backgrounds and continental politics represented resulted in a greater breadth of knowledge and more alternatives to choose from in identifying solutions. This is similar to the European Union model, which is why EuroFM strongly supports workshops such as this one. It creates a level playing field and helps us understand the various ways of defining FM. EuroFM was honored to host the Global FM community.

The next Global FM International Workshops will be held in at the ABRAFAC Conference in São Paulo on 19 October and at IFMA’s World Workplace Conference & Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A. on 25 October. Please plan to join us as we continue our dialogue, sharing and exploration of how to support one another across the globe.