Boston's International Facilities Management Association Named Chapter of the Year

Business Wire, Dec 5, 2007

Chapter to Host Seminar on January 16, 2008 at Bentley College on Sustaining Green Buildings

BOSTON -- The Boston chapter of the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA), a non-profit association dedicated to serving the facility management profession, today announced it was named International Chapter of the Year. Additionally, on January 16, 2008, IFMA Boston will kick off the new year with an all-day seminar -- Sustaining the Sustainability -- on maintaining green buildings, presented in conjunction with Bentley College, and sponsored by Bentley, Environmental Health and Engineering, and Rentacrate LLC.

"We are honored with our Chapter of the Year recognition," said Sean Murphy, president of IFMA Boston. "It's been six years since we've received this honor which doesn't seem that long until you consider that oil was hovering around $30 per barrel, the Toyota Prius was a concept car and Al Gore was known as a failed presidential candidate not an Oscar and Nobel Prize winner. So, with heightened emphasis on the environment and building 'green,' there is significant interest in managing existing buildings more efficiently. This will be a great way to get 2008 started."

The IFMA Boston seminar will take place on January 16, 2008 from 8:30 am-4:00 pm at Bentley College, Waltham, MA. Featured speakers include Gloria Larson, President, Bentley College; Alan Whitson, President of the Corporate Design & Realty Institute; and Ian Bowles, Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

"You don't have to inhabit a newly designed 'green' building to reduce energy consumption. There are a number of measures that can be taken to reduce operating expenses, cut down on CO2 emissions and reduce our dependence on foreign oil," said Richard Christiano, Director of Real Estate, Harvard Business School Publishing, and Co-chairperson of IFMA's Green Taskforce. "Building green is a wonderful concept but the true effectiveness is how well it is managed over its lifespan. We will discuss the strategies for maintaining buildings both old and new in the most energy efficient manner possible."

About IFMA/Boston

Established in 1980, the International Facilities Management Association is a non-profit, incorporated association dedicated to serving the facility management profession. The international organization provides education, research, publications, events, and alliances with other related associations and organizations. The Boston Chapter of IFMA was founded in 1984 by 10 facility managers. Today the chapter numbers over 750 members, making it the second largest chapter in the world. Long recognized as one of the most active and progressive chapters, the Chapter was honored as the 2007 International Chapter of the Year. For additional information, visit www.ifmaboston.org.