By invitation. Thursday and Friday, 2027.
University & School Facility Leaders Summit
Two days with peers who have the same problems, and only the vendors you choose to meet.
- ColumbusApril 29–30168 days to go
- DetroitOctober 28–29350 days to go
Led a project worth 20 minutes? Tell it to your peers.
Ten past delegates, in their own words · 1:47
- 35summits since 2007
- 189campus and school facility leaders have come
- 19past summits had universities, colleges or schools in the room
- 2days. Home Friday afternoon.
Built around the problems you’re working on.
What campus and school facility leaders are up against this year and next, with the numbers behind it. Every talk on the program answers one.
of deferred capital renewal at colleges and universities, up nearly 8%.
What to repair, replace or close first.
Gordian, 2026cancelled school in 2024–25 over a facilities issue, about 2 million students.
Keeping HVAC, air and water working.
GAO, 2026PJM's capacity price hits its cap from June 2027. Ohio, western Pennsylvania and West Virginia budgets feel it first.
Procurement, peak demand and the contract.
PJMto fill a facility-management vacancy, on average.
Keeping know-how when people leave.
IFMA, 2026in school-safety grants, first come, first served. Applications close May 28, 2027.
Doors, cameras, alarms and controls.
Spectrum News, Nov 2026Fixed a problem that isn’t on this list? Propose it for the program.
Propose a talk
Facility leaders come to hear how other campuses fixed it.
The program is built from projects campuses and districts actually finished, presented by the facility leader who ran them. Every session below is open. If you’ve solved a problem like these, your story belongs here.
Capital renewalThe $156-per-square-foot problem: what to repair, replace or close firstSpeaker wanted
Deferred capital renewal at colleges is $156 per square foot, up nearly 8% (Gordian, 2026).
The problem: Backlogs grow faster than budgets, and every board asks why this roof and not that boiler.
We’re looking for: A campus or district that rebuilt its capital plan around condition data and got it funded.
The power billYour 2027 power bill: procurement, peak demand and what your contract won't fixSpeaker wanted
PJM's capacity price hits its $333.44/MW-day cap from June 2027.
The problem: Capacity charges reach bills from June 2027 across Ohio, western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
We’re looking for: A campus or district that cut peak demand or re-bid its supply, with the before-and-after numbers.
Heating and coolingSteam to geothermal without losing a heating seasonSpeaker wanted
Campuses are replacing steam plants with heat pumps and geothermal while classes go on.
The problem: Aging steam and chilled-water plants, carbon goals and no room for a winter outage.
We’re looking for: A campus that converted part of its plant: the budget, the cutover and the first-year results.
Open buildingsSafe water, working HVAC, open buildings: ready for the 2027 school yearSpeaker wanted
Nearly one in five districts cancelled school over a facilities issue in 2024–25 (GAO, 2026).
The problem: HVAC failures, air quality and water problems close schools, and students lose learning days.
We’re looking for: A district that fixed chronic HVAC, air or water problems and stopped losing school days.
Capital projectsThe summer shutdown window: long-lead equipment, contractors and finishing on timeSpeaker wanted
Summer is the only window for big work on most campuses and schools.
The problem: Switchgear, chillers and air handlers take months to arrive, and good contractors are booked early.
We’re looking for: A team that delivered a major summer project on time despite long lead times.
PeopleWhen your best technician leaves: keeping buildings running without losing what they knowSpeaker wanted
A facility-management vacancy takes 17 weeks to fill on average (IFMA, 2026).
The problem: Retirements and turnover take undocumented know-how with them.
We’re looking for: A campus or district that built a training pipeline or captured know-how before it walked out the door.
Safety and securityDoors, cameras and controls: physical security and building-systems cyberSpeaker wanted
Ohio's $9.01 million school-safety grants close May 28, 2027, first come, first served.
The problem: Access control, cameras and alarms need upgrading, and building controls are now a cyber target.
We’re looking for: A district or campus that upgraded access control or secured its building controls.
- Open slotYour project goes here.Propose it
People like you came before.
Past delegates are not 2027 attendees. They show who you’d be in the room with.
- 189facility leaders from 100 universities, colleges and school districts
- 71energy and sustainability leaders
- 62facilities and physical-plant leaders
See the campuses and districts that came, and the ones that came back
They came back.
- Governors State University3 summits, 6 people
- Alamo Colleges3 summits, 5 people
- Texas Tech University3 summits, 5 people
- Illinois State University3 summits, 4 people
- University of Texas at San Antonio2 summits, 7 people
- University of Maryland College Park2 summits, 5 people
- Georgia Institute of Technology2 summits, 4 people
- Clemson University2 summits, 3 people
- Georgia Southern University2 summits, 3 people
- Kankakee Community College2 summits, 3 people
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln2 summits, 3 people
- Arizona State University2 summits, 2 people
Universities
University of Texas at San Antonio, Governors State University, Texas Tech University, University of Maryland College Park, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Tech Research Institute, Illinois State University, Roosevelt University, University of Houston, University of Texas at Austin, Clemson University, Cleveland State University, Georgia Southern University, Texas State University, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of North Texas
Colleges, community and technical colleges
Ramapo College of New Jersey, Babson College, Alverno College, Maryland Institute College of Art, Dartmouth College, Alamo Colleges, Alamo Colleges District, Eastfield College, Kankakee Community College, Minnesota State Colleges & Universities, College of Lake County, Gwinnett Technical College, North Lake College, Valencia College, Auraria Higher Education Center, City Colleges of Chicago
K-12 districts and schools
Atlanta Public Schools, Adams County / Ohio Valley Schools, Garland Independent School District, Katy ISD, Mansfield Independent School District, Wylie Independent School District, Boston Public Schools, Phillips Exeter Academy, Academy for Global Citizenship, Anne Arundel County Public School System, Arlington Independent School District, Boone County School District, Chilton County Board of Education, Del Valle Independent School District, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Hutto ISD
The people at your table.
Facility, energy and sustainability leaders from universities, colleges and school districts: people working on the same problems you are. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are assigned seating, so you meet them.
“A lot of other colleges that I can really identify and relate with.”
Mathew EmdenEnergy Champion, Principia CollegeWe’re inviting public universities, private colleges and universities, community and technical colleges, K-12 school districts, career-technical centers and private and parochial schools.
Thursday and Friday. Home Friday afternoon.
Same two days in Columbus and Detroit: 20-minute talks by peers, the meetings you picked, and meals at a table of people like you. Not a trade show.
Thursday
- Breakfast at assigned tables
- 20-minute talks by facility leaders
- Coffee and shop talk
- 20-minute talks by facility leaders
- Lunch at assigned tables
- 20-minute talks by facility leaders
- The meetings you picked, 20 minutes each
- Coffee and shop talk
- 20-minute talks by facility leaders
- Reception, then dinner at assigned tables
Friday
- Breakfast at assigned tables
- 20-minute talks by facility leaders
- The meetings you picked, 20 minutes each
- 20-minute talks by facility leaders
- Closing lunch
- Last talks, then head home
“The intermix of the people at those tables was very beneficial.”David Muzzy, Energy Manager, Texas Christian University, on the assigned seating
Photos are real FMA Summit rooms. No stock photography.
Who has spoken before.
Facility, energy and sustainability leaders from these universities and colleges have presented their own projects at FMA summits. They are past speakers, not the 2027 program.
- Texas Wesleyan University
- University of Iowa
See the speakers and their talksHide the speakers
- John BradleyAssociate Vice PresidentNew York University“Greening Washington Square Campus”
- David ReynoldsAssociate Vice President for FacilitiesUniversity of North Texas“Higher Education Facilities Challenges & Opportunities: What Business Partners Need to Know”
- Juan OntiverosAssociate VP for Utilities, Energy & Facilities ManagementUT Austin“How the University of Texas at Austin's Microgrid Supports Campus Energy Security Cost Effectively”
- Jim RileyExecutive DirectorTexas A&M University“Comprehensive Energy Management”
- Texas Wesleyan UniversityBrian FranksExecutive DirectorTexas Wesleyan University“Blue + Gold = Green. A Strategic Approach to Sustainability”
- Julie NewmanDirector of SustainabilityMIT“Sustainability at MIT: Building a Next Generation Platform for Impact”
- Aurora WinsladeDirector of SustainabilitySwarthmore College
- Texas Wesleyan UniversityJimmy GreshamDirector of FacilitiesTexas Wesleyan University“Blue + Gold = Green. A Strategic Approach to Sustainability”
- Stanley NolanDirector of Utilities Operations & Energy ManagementUniversity of Connecticut“Public University: Sustaining Growth and Conservation”
- Mary-Ann IbeziakoDirector of Engineering and EnergyUniversity of Maryland“The Convergence of Facilities & IT Data Center”
- Julie PaquetteDirector of Energy ManagementYale University“Yale University Energy Management: Advancing Programs for Deep Energy Renewal”
- Michael LeasureAssociate Director, Energy ConservationGeorgia Tech“Air Reduction Conservation”
- Morgan WhiteAssociate Director of Facilities & ServicesUniversity of Illinois“Illinois Climate Action Plan and Renewable Energy Development at Campus”
- University of IowaZuhair MasedAssociate Director, Utilities and Energy ManagementUniversity of Iowa“Balancing Predicted Energy Demand with Cost-Optimized Supply at The University of Iowa (with Rockwell Software)”
- Lon MirllCampus Energy ManagerTexas Tech University“Energy Data and the Transition from Deferred Maintenance to Persistent Commissioning”
- Kristin EpleySustainability Project ManagerUniversity of Colorado Boulder“Compostable Waste Collection Pilot Program”
- Tim LindquistProfessor & DeanArizona State University“ASU's Polytechnic Campus: Embracing Industry Partnerships in Delivering Professional Baccalaureate Education”
- Carol DollardEnergy EngineerColorado State University“Campus on a Carbon Diet - Sustainability Efforts at Colorado State”
- Kenneth RennelsProfessorIUPUI“Facilities Management Education Opportunities”
- Nate VerhanovitzPerformance EngineerMichigan State University“Microgrid Operations with a Large Scale Solar PV Array”
- Mathew EmdenEnergy ChampionPrincipia College“The Effectiveness of a Strategic Energy Management Program at Principia College”
Your total investment.
Each seat covers the whole summit: full access to both days, every talk, your meetings and all meals. The more people you bring from your campus or district, the lower the rate for each added seat. A seat is one person at one summit, and seats are interchangeable: use them in Columbus, in Detroit, or both.
- Your first 2 seats$2,900each
- Seats 3 to 5$1,850each
- Every seat after that$950each
A team of three is $7,650. A team of six is $12,300.
Register your teamPick how many people are coming and see your total.
Complimentary for speakers.Present a 20-minute talk and your seats are complimentary, as our thank you for speaking: up to 6 people from your campus.Propose a talkAnd only the vendors you pick.
FMA brings in a short list of vendors from a range of industries to help with these problems. You choose which ones you meet. One past delegate put it this way: “the vendors weren’t real pushy.”
“…the opportunity to connect with solution providers in a thoughtful, low pressure environment.”
- Tell us what you’re working on.Before the summit, in a few lines.
- Choose who you want to meet.Both sides accept, or the meeting doesn’t happen.
- Get your schedule before you arrive.20 minutes each, at a set time on Thursday or Friday.
- The renewal backlog
- Facility software and capital planning, construction, roofing
- The power bill
- Energy procurement, performance contracting, building automation, lighting, solar
- Open, safe buildings
- HVAC, building automation, backup power, electrical
- People
- Facilities outsourcing, custodial and cleaning
- Safety
- Security, building-systems cybersecurity
“It's the best conference I've ever been to, and I go to a lot of conferences.”
Brendan SullivanExecutive Director of Facilities, The Estée Lauder Companies“That gives me a lot of great ideas to bring back to my campus.”
Mathew EmdenEnergy Champion, Principia College“It's a small private group which gives you a lot more one-to-one time.”
Stan NolanDirector of Utilities & Energy Management, University of Connecticut“We've been able to meet vendors who have been able to help us meet those goals.”
Chauncey JenkinsFacility Operations Manager, University of Maryland, College Park“I met others in the state that I haven't met before.”
David MuzzyEnergy Manager, Texas Christian UniversityIn writing, from past delegates
“The setting for the Summit proved to be very valuable as it provided an intimate and less aggressive environment for vendors to create meaningful partnerships with customers. I was able to get answers to my pressing facilities’ needs and forge partnerships with various vendors that can provide the solutions I need without all the wasted time on cold calls.”
Mary-Ann IbeziakoDirector of Engineering and Energy, University of Maryland
“The quick pace of the presentations was a nice change from long, drawn out versions. Plenty of time for interactions with the vendors. Food was excellent!”
“…the communication from presenters and fellow attendees was outstanding. I arrived with 3 concerns for Del Valle and through the presentations and discussions I have left the conference with 3 plans for the concerns. This has been a very productive conference.”
See 4 moreShow fewer
“Your conference was well-organized and I have a mountain of contacts to work through for what hopes to be some very beneficial collaboration. …”
“I enjoyed hearing about new developments in lighting and other equipment and systems. I learned ideas other organizations had and how they were implemented. I benefited from networking with other organizations’ representatives.”
“I always learn so much when I attend your conferences and I meet such interesting people.”
“The FMA Summit is an ideal vendor/user experience offered in a comfortable environment with outstanding food & refreshments. The structure of the Summit maximizes face-time among vendors and users…”
Your questions, answered by delegates.
Past delegates on camera, in their own words: campus facility leaders, and their peers from other industries. Each one is under a minute.
Brendan Sullivan, Estée Lauder · Stan Nolan, University of Connecticut · Mathew Emden, Principia College 0:38
David Muzzy, Texas Christian University · Al Hildreth, General Motors · Kevin Butt, Toyota · Brendan Sullivan, Estée Lauder 0:42
Jamie Meyers, Walgreens · Steve Driver, Sanofi · Stan Nolan, University of Connecticut 0:43
Chauncey Jenkins, University of Maryland · Jamie Meyers, Walgreens · Steve Driver, Sanofi 0:38
David Muzzy, Texas Christian University · Mathew Emden, Principia College · Jamie Meyers, Walgreens 0:32
Brendan Sullivan, Estée Lauder · Scott Bohnhoff, FBI · Mathew Emden, Principia College 0:49
Register your team.
Choose your summit and how many people are coming, and your total investment shows right away. Then fill in the participation agreement, sign it and make your investment by card. Seats are interchangeable: use them in Columbus, in Detroit, or both.
Have a project worth sharing? Tell it to your peers.
20 minutes, the real numbers and what didn’t work, in front of facility leaders working on the same problems. Bring the company that did the work, if you like. Proposing commits you to nothing.
Complimentary for speakers. Present a 20-minute talk and your seats are complimentary, as our thank you for speaking: up to 6 people from your campus.
What every talk covers
- The problemWhat was happening on campus or in the district.
- What was at stakeEnergy, maintenance, closures or lost days.
- The decisionThe options you weighed, and why this one.
- The workWhat changed, how long it took, what went wrong.
- The resultsMeasured before and after. Achieved, estimated or identified, said plainly.
- The lessonsWhat another campus or district should check first.
Who's behind it.
Started FMA in Montreal in 2007 and has run every summit himself: 35 of them, 17,000+ meetings. Every delegate is invited, every meeting is booked before anyone arrives, and the group stays small.
Read the full story
Every sponsor and speaker, as printed. Facility leaders from universities, colleges and schools came to 19 of the past summits.
Open any program
Your campus fixed something. Tell the room how.
Propose a 20-minute talk, or register your team. Reply to the email that brought you here, or write to Joe Piazza at info@fmasummits.com.
35 summits since 2007. The films and quotes on this page are from past summits.