FMA Summits

By invitation. Thursday and Friday, 2027.

The 11th Future Facilities Summit

Two days with facility leaders from hospitals, campuses, schools, office towers, data centers and cities, and only the solution providers you choose to meet.

  • ColumbusApril 29–30168 days to go
  • DetroitOctober 28–29350 days to go
Propose a talkRegister your team

Ten past delegates, in their own words (1:47)

  • 35summits since 2007
  • 17,000+one-to-one meetings held
  • 605facility leaders have come
  • 2days. Home Friday afternoon.

In writing, from a past delegate

“FMA Summits completely redefines the standard for executive networking. For an institution like the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where our healthcare facilities must operate at peak efficiency and absolute reliability 24/7, finding the right strategic partners is critical.

Unlike traditional conferences where you spend days filtering through noise, FMA’s invitation-only, project-driven format cut straight to the chase. The pre-scheduled 1:1 meetings paired us directly with vetted solution providers who genuinely understood the complex demands of mission-critical healthcare infrastructure, sustainability, and energy efficiency. We walked away with not just a stack of business cards, but immediate, high-value connections and actionable strategies to advance our facilities’ life cycle goals. If you are a healthcare facility leader looking for substance over spectacle, attending an FMA Summit is an absolute necessity.”

Tyler WeaverCoordinator of Sustainability & Waste Management Programs, Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaKeynote speaker at two FMA summits

Find your seat.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are assigned seating at numbered tables. You sit with people who run places like yours, and with people who solved your problem in a different kind of building.

Which do you run?

Pick one, and one seat becomes yours.

These organizations sent facility leaders to past FMA summits. They are not the 2027 list.

Two people shaking hands across a numbered lunch table at a past FMA summit
Numbered tables, assigned seats, every meal
Delegates listening closely to a talk at a past FMA summit
20-minute talks by people who ran the project
Four people at a cocktail table at the evening reception of a past FMA summit
The evening reception
Two attendees side by side at a past FMA summit
The people you came to meet
Four people standing at a solution provider's display at a past FMA summit
The solution providers you chose to meet
Three delegates in conversation at a lunch table at a past FMA summit
Lunch with people like you

Real FMA Summit rooms. No stock photography.

Learn it from another industry. Use it in yours.

Past delegates on why a room of different facilities works: what other organizations tried, and what they took home.

“If industries can do it without the mandates, we can bring it back to the government.”
Scott BohnhoffUnit Chief, Occupational Safety & Environmental Programs, FBI
“Other major companies that are energy users discuss their programs and best practices.”
Al HildrethGlobal Energy Manager, General Motors
“I learned ideas other organizations had and how they were implemented.”
Chris HomanAssistant Director, Office of Energy Management, Illinois State University
“There's been a great complement of folks here from different aspects of industry.”
Kevin ButtGeneral Manager & Chief Environmental Officer, Toyota
“I really want to see what other corporations are doing.”
Brendan SullivanExecutive Director of Facilities, The Estée Lauder Companies
“…what new technologies are out there and that I can bring back to my company.”
Steve DriverEnergy Manager, Global Operations & Biologics, Sanofi
“…a great opportunity to see what others are doing, and to interface with colleagues.”
Anthony MaiellaroCity of Chicago
“That gives me a lot of great ideas to bring back to my campus.”
Mathew EmdenEnergy Champion, Principia College

Who has come from your industry.

Past speakers and delegates, with their titles as they registered.

Built around the problems you’re working on.

What facility leaders are up against this year and next, with the numbers behind it: the power bill and people in every industry, and each industry’s own. Every talk on the program answers one.

The power bill$333.44per MW-day

PJM'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.

PJM
People17weeks

to fill a facility-management vacancy, on average.

Keeping know-how when people leave.

IFMA, 2026
The renewal backlog$156per sq ft

of deferred capital renewal at colleges and universities, up nearly 8%.

What to repair, replace or close first.

Gordian, 2026
The central plant23%of respondents

are building a new central energy plant within the next three years.

Fix it, replace it or build new.

ASHE/HFM, 2026
Getting power4+years

to get a grid connection in primary data center markets.

Deliverable power, on site and on the grid.

JLL, 2026
Something else?Your project

Fixed a problem that isn’t on this list? Propose it for the program.

Propose a talk

Facility leaders come to hear how other facilities fixed it.

The program starts with the problems every facility shares, then each industry’s own. Every talk is a project a facility actually finished, presented by the leader who ran it. Every session below is open. If you’ve solved a problem like these, your story belongs here.

  • Every facilityThe 2027–28 power-bill war room: capacity charges, peak demand and contract trapsSpeaker 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, and most contracts pass them straight through.

    We’re looking for: A building or portfolio that cut peak demand or re-bid its supply, with the before-and-after numbers.

    Propose this talk

  • Every facilityWhen 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.

    Propose this talk

  • Every facilityNo unmanaged outside access: securing the building controlsSpeaker wanted

    Building automation systems are now a common way into a company network.

    The problem: Contractors and service companies reach the controls remotely, often with shared passwords nobody tracks.

    We’re looking for: A team that inventoried and locked down remote access to its building systems.

    Propose this talk

  • Universities and schoolsThe $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.

    Propose this talk

  • Universities and schoolsSafe 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.

    Propose this talk

  • HospitalsReplacing air handlers in a building that never closesSpeaker wanted

    Air handlers are the No. 1 equipment project in the next 12 months: 20% of respondents (ASHE/HFM, 2026).

    The problem: Air handlers serve ORs, isolation rooms and patient floors that can't lose air or pressure.

    We’re looking for: A hospital that replaced or upgraded air handlers in occupied areas without affecting care.

    Propose this talk

  • HospitalsSurvey-ready every day: the testing and maintenance evidence surveyors ask forSpeaker wanted

    Inspection, testing and maintenance records are what a survey checks first.

    The problem: Generator tests, utility-system records and life-safety documents live in too many places.

    We’re looking for: A team that keeps its testing and maintenance records survey-ready all year, not the week before.

    Propose this talk

  • Commercial buildingsStop paying for empty floors without breaking peak daysSpeaker wanted

    89% of companies surveyed require at least three office days a week, up from 78% (CBRE, 2026).

    The problem: Floors run full on Tuesday to Thursday and near empty the rest of the week, and the systems run as if every day were full.

    We’re looking for: A building or campus that matched heating, cooling, cleaning and space to how people actually use it.

    Propose this talk

  • Commercial buildingsThe warehouse retrofit that doesn't stop shipping: power, controls, dock safety and contractor accessSpeaker wanted

    Distribution centers can't close for a retrofit.

    The problem: Lighting, power, docks and controls have to be upgraded while trucks keep moving.

    We’re looking for: A distribution center that finished a major retrofit without losing throughput.

    Propose this talk

  • Data centersYou need power in 2027. The grid has other plans.Speaker wanted

    Grid connections take over four years in primary markets (JLL, 2026).

    The problem: New capacity is waiting on the utility, and on-site generation, storage and phased energization all have trade-offs.

    We’re looking for: A data center that got deliverable power sooner, and what it took.

    Propose this talk

  • Data centersThe $1 million outage: rehearse the failure before you live itSpeaker wanted

    57% of respondents said their last major outage came to more than $100,000; one in five more than $1 million (Uptime Institute, 2026).

    The problem: Transfers, generators and switching procedures fail when they haven't been tested under load.

    We’re looking for: A team that ran a real failure drill, found the weak link and fixed it.

    Propose this talk

  • Open slotYour project goes here.Propose it

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

  1. Breakfast at assigned tables
  2. 20-minute talks by facility leaders
  3. Coffee and shop talk
  4. 20-minute talks by facility leaders
  5. Lunch at assigned tables
  6. 20-minute talks by facility leaders
  7. The meetings you picked, 20 minutes each
  8. Coffee and shop talk
  9. 20-minute talks by facility leaders
  10. Reception, then dinner at assigned tables

Friday

  1. Breakfast at assigned tables
  2. 20-minute talks by facility leaders
  3. The meetings you picked, 20 minutes each
  4. 20-minute talks by facility leaders
  5. Closing lunch
  6. Last talks, then head home
A row of delegates taking notes during a talk at a past FMA summit
20-minute talks to a full room
Delegates at numbered round tables over lunch at a past FMA summit
Numbered tables, assigned seats
Two people shaking hands at a past FMA summit
The meetings you picked
Dinner on a terrace at a past FMA summit
Dinner on Thursday
Columbus, OhioApril 29–30, 2027Hilton Columbus Downtown
Detroit, MichiganOctober 28–29, 2027Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center

Photos are real FMA Summit rooms. No stock photography.

Your questions, answered by delegates.

Past FMA delegates on camera, in their own words: facility leaders from universities and from other industries. Each one is under a minute.

Will vendors pitch me?

Brendan Sullivan, Estée Lauder · Stan Nolan, University of Connecticut · Mathew Emden, Principia College 0:38

Who will I meet?

David Muzzy, Texas Christian University · Al Hildreth, General Motors · Kevin Butt, Toyota · Brendan Sullivan, Estée Lauder 0:42

Is it worth two days away?

Jamie Meyers, Walgreens · Steve Driver, Sanofi · Stan Nolan, University of Connecticut 0:43

Will I find vendors who can help with my targets?

Chauncey Jenkins, University of Maryland · Jamie Meyers, Walgreens · Steve Driver, Sanofi 0:38

What are the talks like?

David Muzzy, Texas Christian University · Mathew Emden, Principia College · Jamie Meyers, Walgreens 0:32

What will I take home?

Brendan Sullivan, Estée Lauder · Scott Bohnhoff, FBI · Mathew Emden, Principia College 0:49

And only the solution providers you pick.

FMA brings in a short list of solution providers from a range of industries to help with these problems. You choose which ones you meet.

  1. Tell us what you’re working on.Before the summit, in a few lines.
  2. Choose who you want to meet.Both sides accept, or the meeting doesn’t happen.
  3. Get your schedule before you arrive.20 minutes each, at a set time on Thursday or Friday.
The power bill
Energy procurement, performance contracting, building automation, lighting, solar, microgrids
Aging buildings and plants
Facility software and capital planning, construction, HVAC, roofing
Power you can count on
Backup power, electrical, data center power and cooling
Staffing the buildings
Facilities outsourcing, cleaning, facility software
Safety and security
Security, building-systems cybersecurity

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 organization, 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 organization.Propose a talk

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.

Which summit?
How are you registering?
How many people?
1
1 seat. A seat is one person at one summit. Bring as many people as you like.
Your total investment$2,9001 seat at $2,900
One page: who is coming, the terms and your signature. Opens right here.
FMA SummitsSummit Participation Agreement

11th Future Facilities Summit · Columbus, April 29–30, 2027 · Detroit, October 28–29, 2027

Main attendee

How many facilities do you oversee?

Additional attendees

Names not decided yet? Leave a name as “To be determined” and send it to us later.

Would you like to present at the summit? Speakers’ seats are complimentary, as our thank you for speaking, for up to 6 people from their organization. Not on the program yet? Propose a talk.
Terms and conditions

Participation includes: Full access to both days of each summit a seat is used for: every talk, the meetings you book, all event meals, breaks and the evening reception. A seat is one person at one summit, and seats may be used in Columbus or in Detroit. Hotel and travel are not included.

Insurance and event security: FMA accepts no responsibility with respect to theft or damage, however caused. Carrying adequate property and casualty, professional liability, and any and all other applicable insurance policies is the sole responsibility of the Client.

Payment terms: The signatory authorizes FMA to charge the amount shown on this agreement by card through Stripe, as well as any additional amounts which may become due to FMA pursuant to this agreement. The signatory recognizes this Delegate Participation agreement as valid, binding and enforceable and renounces any defense, dispute or chargeback request with regard to charges made pursuant to it. Due to limited summit space, FMA advises early registration and reserves the right to refuse admission if payment is not received on time.

Substitution, non-attendance and cancellation: A delegate may be replaced by a colleague at any time by email. A non-attendance fee of $495 will be applied to each delegate, including speakers and guests, if FMA is not informed by email of cancellation two weeks prior to the event.

Electronic signature: The signatory agrees that the signature drawn or typed on this agreement is an electronic signature with the same effect as a handwritten one, and confirms being authorized to sign for the organization named.

Signature

Sign in the box with your mouse or your finger, or choose Type.

On behalf of your organization

FMA Summits · fmasummits.com · info@fmasummits.com

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 organization.

A speaker beside the FMA lectern at a past FMA summit

What every talk covers

  1. The problemWhat was happening in the building, campus or site.
  2. What was at stakeEnergy, maintenance, downtime, compliance or the people who use it.
  3. The decisionThe options you weighed, and why this one.
  4. The workWhat changed, how long it took, what went wrong.
  5. The resultsMeasured before and after. Achieved, estimated or identified, said plainly.
  6. The lessonsWhat another facility should check first.
Propose a talk

Led a project you’re proud of?

Tell us about one project you finished. If it fits the program, Joe will send you a proposed session outline.

Questions delegates ask.

How do I pick the solution providers I meet?
Before the summit, you tell us the problems you’re working on and choose the companies you want to meet. We match you, both sides accept, and each meeting is booked before you arrive.
How long is it?
Thursday and Friday. Friday ends with lunch, and you’re on the road by mid-afternoon.
What is the investment?
Your first two seats are $2,900 each, seats three to five are $1,850 each, and every seat after that is $950. A team of three is $7,650; a team of six is $12,300. Each seat covers full access to both days and all meals. A seat is one person at one summit, and seats can be used in Columbus, in Detroit, or split between them. Speakers’ seats are complimentary, as our thank you for speaking, for up to 6 people from their organization.
How do I speak?
Propose a 20-minute talk about a project you led, with the form on this page. Bring the company that did the work if you like. Every proposal goes to Joe Piazza, who builds the program.
Who runs it?
FMA Summits, founded by Joe Piazza in 2007. He has run every summit himself: 35 of them, 17,000+ meetings.

Who's behind it.

Joe PiazzaThe FMA team at the registration desk of a past Future Facilities Summit
Joe Piazza, founder.

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
Future of Manufacturing Summit, Montreal, QC, 2007Progressive Energy, Environment & Sustainability Congress, Chicago, IL, 2010Progressive Energy, Environment & Sustainability Congress, Weston, FL, 2011Progressive Energy, Environment & Sustainability Summit, with the Progressive Manufacturing Summit, Chicago, IL, 2014Future Facilities Summit, Teaneck, NJ, 2016Future Facilities & Power Summit, Tampa, FL, 2019
The printed programs since 2007.

Every solution provider and speaker, as printed. Facility leaders from universities, schools, hospitals, commercial buildings, data centers and government came to 28 of the past summits.

Open any program

Your facility 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.

Propose a talkRegister your team

35 summits since 2007. The films and quotes on this page are from past summits.

Connecting the right people.

The facility with the problem and the company with the answer, at the same table.

FMA Summits, by the Facility Management Alliance Testimonials are past FMA solution provider and delegate feedback. Statistics cite the sources shown.
Propose a talk

Brendan Sullivan, David Muzzy, Al Hildreth, Stan Nolan, Steve Driver, Jamie Meyers, Mathew Emden, Chauncey Jenkins, Scott Bohnhoff and Kevin Butt, past FMA delegates, recorded at past FMA summits.

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FMA Summits 2027 · Columbus & Detroit

Book a 20-minute call with Joe

Pick a time. Joe calls you at the number you enter: the audience, the package and the dates.

Prefer email? info@fmasummits.com