The FM sector in the UK was valued at £106.3bn in 2012 and this is anticipated to increase to £117.2bn by 2017.
The Irish market is estimated to be worth £10bn and the BIFM Ireland Region committee is planning this year’s conference with an emphasis on the future of this sector, Irish trends and what is now needed to achieve this growth.
Organisers say the conference, sponsored by services provider Aramark and H&J Martin Facilities Management, will feature a mix of FM speakers, along with exhibitors from Ireland and the UK.
It aims to provide a platform for public and private sector professionals with a business interest in FM to share ideas, enhance their knowledge and skills base and network with others in what is a rapidly growing sector.
Delegates can look forward to topics including the art of intelligent negotiation, the A-Z of compliance, how to take control of your outsourced contracts and Building Information Modelling (BIM).
It will also take a look at innovation within the sector and how this can be built upon for the future.
Speaking about this year’s event, Stephen Welch, Chairman, BIFM Ireland Region said: “Within the UK and Ireland FM is still one of the fastest growing professions. Recent reports are extremely encouraging, highlighting that the sector has massive potential to grow and develop.
“Therefore, it is vital that as an industry we put in place clear and strategic plans that will help the sector flourish in the years ahead. Our conference, now in its 17th year, is designed to focus on what is currently top of the agenda in the FM industry and to look towards what could be top of the agenda in the future.
“We are delighted to have in place a diverse line-up of speakers and look forward to welcoming professionals from throughout the UK and Ireland, who want to learn how to use facilities management to improve the future success of their organisation.”
Wilton Farrelly, division director of H&J Martin added: “Despite the economic downturn, FM is still a growing sector and we as an industry need to meet the higher demands of organisations and individuals.
“This conference will centre on what makes good facilities management and outline how we can deliver flexibility, adaptability and sustainability to help organisations respond to cost pressures or the need for greater security.”
Ray Taylor, regional operations director of Aramark, said: “The BIFM Ireland Region Conference presents an ideal platform to discuss with fellow professionals the way forward and delve into the topics that are challenging and changing the sector.”
The BIFM was founded in 1993 and provides information, education, training and networking services for more than 13,000 members.