The Conference Fringe, running alongside the main event, provides a mix of offbeat and interactive sessions, designed to stoke controversy and provoke thought.
Day 1: Tuesday 18th March
12.45
Walking Tour of Oxford
This tour will give an overview , past and present, of the city and the university. During our two-hour stroll, we will visit a college and some of the main university buildings. The pace is leisurely and only a mile and a half or so of walking is involved. A packed lunch will be provided.
A Carbon offsetting – solution or guilt tax?
Carbon offsetting is big business - the regulated offsetting global market is expected to be worth £68.2 billion by 2010. But it remains hugely controversial. Is offsetting simply a guilt tax that encourages us to continue to pollute at the same rate? Or should it be seen as a last resort once all the possible reductions in emissions have taken place?
Two experts on the subject will battle it in this session. The Carbon Neutral Company will argue the case for offsetting. Neil McLocklin, director at green consultancy Corpra, will present the case against offsetting. Then the audience will quiz the speakers in a debate chaired by Cathy Hayward, Editor of FM World, followed by a final vote on the topic. A light lunch will be provided.
14.00
Site visit - Estates tour of Keble College
Keble College is a familiar setting for delegates at the BIFM Annual Conference but how much do we know about how the College really works?
Join this tour for a behind the scenes look at the history and development of its historic and modern facilities. From an FM perspective, the College operates under an unusual set of restraints
including both academic and commercial use and the juxtaposition of new and historic facilities in a listed setting. We will look at the College from a range of perspectives: technical, maintenance,
funding, planning/building control, security, catering, telephony, data management and cleaning. The tour will last approximately two hours.
B Dodging Bullets Live!
It’s interactive; it’s competitive; it’s essential for FMs facing a barrage of law and regulation. If you missed it last year, this entertaining session is back, with a new panel, and new questions. Based on ‘Dodging Bullets’, this fast-paced session gives FMs the chance to test their knowledge of employment law, H&S and premises management practices. Don’t let the law give you the run-around!
Workplace Law Group
16.45
C Women in FM
"Leading FM professionals examine the progress women have made in facilities management and the challenges they still face in the profession.
Does a group representing women in FM help or hinder? Presenters include Lynda Tilbury, Lucy Jeynes, Alison Halfpenny and Carol Bell, Chair of the South East Branch of Women in Property"
Day 2: Wednesday 19th March
10.05
D Networking not working?
If you want to get ahead in FM, a well-maintained network of contacts will help you negotiate all the major pitfalls as well as provide tips on everything from job vacancies
to valuable insights into a company’s culture, helping you also to market yourself.
This popular fringe session will help you understand the value of networking in a safe and friendly workshop. A consummate networker offers his tips on how to win friends and influence people!
Led by Ian Fielder, Chief Executive Officer, BIFM
13.45
F Rising FMs
Members of the newly created BIFM special interest group, Rising FMs, discuss career development, how to get ahead and the challenges of facilities management.
Facilitated by Ismena Clout, Facilities Manager, Harper Collins
The Conference Fringe programme could be subject to change. Please check the conference website for full details.
