Balancing career, family, and personal identity often comes with invisible pressures that aren’t openly discussed. This discussion will explore the realities of guilt, burnout, and the struggle to bring your authentic self to work. With an all-women panel, we’ll share candid perspectives on finding community, setting boundaries, and leading without apology.

Join us for an interactive peer discussion on the vital role Facility Managers and cross functional collaboration plays in partnering with Real Estate throughout the lease lifecycle including lease negotiations, remodel or retrofit obligations, and end-of-term planning. This session will highlight strategies for building strong cross-functional relationships with key internal partners such as Real Estate, Facilities, Field Operations, and Loss Prevention/Asset Protection, as well as external stakeholders including landlords and property management teams. Topics will include best practices for data and information sharing, navigating conflict, and strengthening collaboration to ensure smoother projects, clearer expectations, and more effective decision-making across your portfolio.

AI is reshaping facility management, from predictive maintenance to smarter asset planning, but what’s really working in the field? Join your peers for an interactive discussion on how data-driven tools are being applied in real-world retail operations. We’ll share experiences, explore what’s hype versus what’s delivering results, and talk through strategies to save time, reduce costs, and improve decision-making. Whether you’re just starting with AI or scaling your AI strategy, this conversation over coffee is your chance to exchange practical examples and lessons learned.

Technology is rapidly reshaping facility management, shifting the profession toward data-driven decision-making powered by tools such as IoT, AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics. Join us for this VLE featuring industry experts as we explore how these innovations are transforming operations, redefining the role of the facility manager, and creating new expectations for skills and strategy. Attendees will gain practical insights into adopting and integrating emerging technologies, aligning them with organizational goals, and navigating the challenges that come with change. By the end of the session, participants will have a clearer understanding of the future of facility management and actionable strategies to stay ahead in an increasingly tech-driven landscape.

Facilities and construction bring real-world challenges that aren’t always easy to talk about. From being underestimated on the job site to navigating technical conversations, inappropriate comments, or long-term career goals, this discussion creates space for open, solutions-focused dialogue. Together, we’ll discuss strategies for overcoming obstacles and thriving in the industry.

Is fragmented data costing your portfolio millions? In this session, learn how to break down departmental silos, eliminate duplicate site surveys, and leverage AI to drive proactive decision-making. Discover how industry leaders are slashing planning costs by 80% and scaling from 10 to 300+ sites annually.

Fact:  The average manager wastes 3.5 hours a day dealing with problems caused by flawed work systems.

Good News:  By learning and applying System Driven Innovation methods and tools you can vaporize this waste, make your work more fun while at the same time help your organization make more money.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to eliminate the everyday frustrations that slow you and your team down
• How to increase productivity—without adding headcount
• How to redesign broken workflows so work gets done easier, faster, and more consistently
• How to make smarter system & AI investments that actually deliver ROI (not just hype)
• This informational session provides an overview of a four-part program that includes online classes and private coaching leading to a White Belt Certification in Automation & Systems Management. 

Who Should Attend:

• Facility managers tired of firefighting
• Leaders under pressure to do more with less
• Anyone frustrated by “the way things are” and ready to fix it

Learn more about the White Belt Certification in Systems & Automation Management & Enroll Here on our Website. 
First 50 enrollments are $0 (from $250) thanks to scholarships provided by Kaivac.

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of the facilities management conversation but for many organizations, the challenge is not whether to adopt AI, it is how to make it deliver real operational value.

This session focuses on what actually works when applying AI in multi-site facilities and service environments. 

Attendees will learn why the most effective AI strategies do not attempt to replace existing systems or people, but instead integrate AI as an intelligence layer that connects to enterprise data and operational processes. The session will explore how this approach supports technicians and vendors in the field, improves decision-making for facilities leaders, and drives measurable improvements such as faster response times, higher first-time fix rates, and reduced operational friction.

A package of educational components from ConnexFM2026.

The world is changing fast. For organizations, this is not a reason to worry—it is a reason to get ready. In today’s changing market, organizations are under immense pressure to navigate rising costs while maintaining financial stability. Building resiliency requires not only forecasting future risks but also tightening control over day-to-day expenses. This session will explore how businesses can leverage streamlined payables management across utilities, waste, telecom, and other recurring expenses to reduce inefficiencies, uncover hidden savings, and ensure accuracy in every invoice.

Rising costs, market volatility, and external pressures are placing unprecedented demands on budgets. Organizations that take control of their expenses are the ones best positioned to safeguard margins and ensure long-term stability. By standardizing data, auditing invoices, and improving visibility into spend, businesses can prevent costly surprises and build a stronger financial foundation.

Participants will learn how proactive financial management strategies can move organizations away from reactive budgeting and toward a forward-looking approach that protects margins and strengthens resilience. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to control costs, improve cash flow, and build financial agility, ensuring their organizations are prepared to thrive even in turbulent times.