BIFM Conference 2008 leads the way on sustainability…
Over 450 delegates arrived on a cold morning at Keble College in Oxford for the BIFM’s 2008 annual conference – ‘Sustainable FM – meeting the challenge. The conference was designed to test, challenge and inform delegates with a varied programme including 10 plenary presentations, 20 parallel and 5 fringe sessions.
Key topics ranged from economic and environmental sustainability to climate change, carbon footprint and environmental performance to flexible working and Women in FM.
Stephen Sackur from the BBC’s Hard Talk, chairman and facilitator on the main stage, gave a professional journalist’s perspective to the programme.
The conference opened with strong presentations from Barbara Stocking, Director of Oxfam and James Woudhuysen, Professor of Forecasting and Innovation at De Montfort University and in the evening delegates were treated to dinner in the splendid Keble Dining Hall, whilst entertained by the "world’s first genetically modified string quartet", Stringfever.
Together with Monday’s Th!nk FM, ‘thought leadership’ dinner which provided an opportunity for around 40 key players to take part in a strategic discussion about the future of the profession and industry, Delegates raised over £1,700 for the BIFM Chairman’s chosen charity Marie Curie Cancer Care.
The Conference Fringe continued to deliver participation, humour and a little controversy. BIFM CEO Ian Fielder had a packed house for his session on how to network whilst Ismena Clout from Harper Collins led the ‘Rising FMs’ session.
Tim Smit the driving force behind Cornwall’s Eden Project, delivered a full-tilt summary of his approach to fund-raising, motivation and networking, ending the conference on a high with much amusement and inspiration.
The next BIFM annual conference at Keble College, Oxford takes place from Tuesday 31st March to Wednesday 1st April 2009.
Keep checking this site for further information.
Click here to see the BIFM annual conference 2008 website
