On Sept. 17-19, thousands of industry professionals converged on Minneapolis for the International Facility Management Association’s (IFMA) 2025 World Workplace Conference and Expo. Marking the organization’s 45th anniversary and the annual event’s 30th year, the show offered educational sessions, networking opportunities, and more.
IFMA kicked off the event with a celebratory program reflecting on the association’s achievements over the past 45 years. Opening remarks focused on IFMA’s impact in advancing facility management (FM) as an essential global industry, followed by presentations recognizing those who drive progress and set new standards of excellence.
Opening keynote speaker Daymond John, founder and CEO of FUBU and five-time Emmy-winning investor on TV’s “Shark Tank,” also spoke about the keys to success, including learning how to establish the right mindset and following a few fundamental principles John calls his “S.H.A.R.K. Points.”
IFMA’s 45th Anniversary
Founded in 1980, IFMA supports more than 25,000 members and 122 chapters around the world. IFMA credentials are held by more than 27,000 professionals in 116 countries.
In her opening remarks, IFMA Global Board of Directors Chair Christa Dodoo spoke on IFMA’s role in progressing the FM industry. “FM has evolved beyond the knowledge of one or two astute technicians. Now, FMs stand alongside leaders in our respective organizations with the power to influence organizational outcomes,” said Dodoo. “IFMA has been a key driver of this change. In this anniversary year, we will honor the past with the same pioneering spirit of our founders to shape our industry into something truly world changing.”
IFMA President & CEO Michael V. Geary addressed IFMA’s impact in elevating FM’s profile as a strategic business partner. “That’s not just good for the industry, but for anyone who steps inside a building. It’s good for any organization that looks to gain financial, reputational, and social benefits from your expertise. And it’s good for every community enhanced by skillfully, responsibly managed facilities in their neighborhoods,” Geary said.
Geary emphasized that IFMA’s most important achievement is universal recognition that a highly trained and qualified FM professional is an asset. “Companies seeking that competitive edge as a modern, efficient, and resilient organization—one that not only survives disruption but excels in spite of it—look to their FM team for direction. That makes the investment in professional development a strategic necessity,” he said.
Throughout its history, IFMA has acclaimed individuals for their significant role in IFMA’s growth and FM’s advancement. In a series of presentations, Geary and Dodoo honored IFMA’s Top Global FM Influencers (professionals shaping the future of FM through innovation and leadership); those who, between July 2024 and June 2025, achieved IFMA’s Certified Facility Manager (CFM) designation; and the 2025 Class of IFMA Fellows (the association’s highest honor, recognizing professional and volunteer achievements).
Benjamin Goudy and Laurie Gilmer were also officially inducted as the 2025 Class of IFMA Fellows, joining an elite corps of association advisors and ambassadors.
Geary said, “The first class of Fellows in 1992 included founders of the association—early leaders of the profession—those who helped define facility management and set the stage for the global industry we know today. That legacy has continued through each succeeding class.”
2025 Awards of Excellence
On the closing day of the conference, IFMA also announced the recipients of the 2025 Awards of Excellence. Winners were recognized in 18 award categories representing exceptional contributions to the association, outstanding examples of FM initiative, and innovative FM projects, practices, and solutions. Each nominee was scored individually across a variety of category-specific criteria by judging panels comprised of industry experts.
Awards were presented to individuals, teams, corporate partners, and IFMA Networking Groups from around the world. Recipients of the IFMA Foundation’s Board of Trustees Awards and the winning IgniteFM! student team were also announced.
Congratulated on stage by IFMA’s Dodoo, the 2025 Awards of Excellence Winners included:
Distinguished Author Award: Research Paper
Co-authors David Karpook, Planon Corp.; Efrie Escott, Schneider Electric; Eric Hall & John Galbraith, Gilbane Building Co.; Phil Wales, EBUSINESS STRATEGIES, LLC; Candace Todd, HOK, for “ESG by the Numbers: Key Findings & Resources to Help You Strengthen Your ESG Strategy”
Distinguished Author Award: Book
Co-authors Jan Gerard Hoendervanger, Theo van der Voordt, Jaap Wijnja for “Corporate Real Estate Management”
Community Award of Excellence in Programs & Professional Development
Sustainability Community of IFMA
Community Award of Excellence in Communications
Workplace Evolutionaries Community of IFMA
Chapter Award of Excellence in Professional Development
Denver Chapter of IFMA
Chapter Award of Excellence in Web Communications
Denver Chapter of IFMA
Associate Member Award
Lorie Libby of Knight Commercial
Emerging Professional Award
Juan Jose Servin Diaz de Leon, CFM, SFP, CWO, CM, PM, CP, WD, IAQ MC, EI
The Sheila Sheridan Award for Sustainable Facility Operations & Management
Kelley Whalen, EEP, SFP, ADTRAN
Facility Management Innovation Award
ESFM | Compass Group USA
George Graves Award for Facility Management Achievement
Dhananjaya Abesinghe, Lenovo Middle East, Turkey & Africa
IFMA Volunteer of the Year Award
Lisa Vanderheyden, CFM, FMP, SFP, PMP, LEED AP O+M, CFT
Distinguished Educator Award
Carolyn McGary, CFM, FMP, SFP, PBD, of Metropolitan State University of Denver
Distinguished Member Award
Edward Kacal, MBA, BSc, CFM, SFP, PMP
Student Chapter of the Year
IFMA’s Greater Phoenix Student Chapter at Arizona State University
Council or Community of the Year
Corporate Facilities Council of IFMA
Small Chapter of the Year
Trinidad and Tobago Chapter of IFMA
Large Chapter of the Year
Greater Phoenix Chapter of IFMA
IFMA Foundation Board of Trustees 2025 Awards
The following awards were presented by IFMA Foundation Chair Angela R. Johnson Culver:
Global Workforce Partners of Excellence
JLL, Sodexo, ABM, ESFM
Community Involvement of Excellence
Atlanta Chapter of IFMA & Metro Power
Component of Excellence
Hong Kong Chapter of IFMA
IFMA Foundation Volunteer of the Year
Nada Aboelmagd
Workforce Initiative Partnership of Excellence
Seattle Chapter of IFMA
An Industry Toast
At the conclusion, Geary led the audience in a toast to celebrate IFMA’s milestone anniversary.
“Over the past 45 years, every step forward for FM has been taken by IFMA members. Together, we forged an industry—one with recognition, one with influence, one with purpose and possibility,” said Geary. “Here’s to those who blazed the trail and pointed the way forward. Here’s to every FM who creates better experiences for everyone who walks through their doors. And here’s to every member, partner, leader, and employee, past and present, whose dedication and drive grew and sustained a community of colleagues and friends with the power to positively impact our world.”