IFMA announced that San Antonio and Philadelphia will host the World Workplace Conference & Expo in 2012 and 2013, respectively.

As the annual conference of the International Facility Management Association, World Workplace brings industry leaders from the world’s top business and government organizations together with educators and exhibitors to analyze the trends and new products impacting today’s built environment. The event attracts attendees from across the globe and from industries including facility and property management, real estate, engineering, security, design, architecture and more.

“World Workplace not only brings in thousands of attendees and an influx of new ideas to the cities that host the conference, but also provides them with a robust economic impact,” said IFMA President and CEO Tony Keane, CAE. “When World Workplace last came to Texas in 2008, the event brought US$12.8 million to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, according to Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau estimates. We look forward to similarly successful conferences in San Antonio this year and Philadelphia in 2013.”

World Workplace features keynote speaker and educational session presentations; Sustainability Central, an exclusive section of the expo floor reserved for companies offering environmentally friendly products and services; and instructor-led courses for professionals seeking any of IFMA’s three credentials — the Certified Facility Manager, Facility Management Professional or Sustainability Facility Professional designations.

San Antonio, the nation’s seventh largest city, will welcome World Workplace later this year when the conference comes to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center Oct. 31-Nov. 2. The event will feature facility tours of some of San Antonio’s finest attractions, including the Alamo, the Pearl, Rackspace Headquarters, the Gonzalez Convention Center and more.

“San Antonio is honored to host IFMA's World Workplace,” said San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro. “World Workplace attendees share San Antonio's commitment to sustainability in the workplace, and the city welcomes the discussion on environmental stewardship this conference will bring.”

The Pennsylvania Convention Center will play host to World Workplace 2013 when the conference comes to the nation’s fifth largest city, Philadelphia, Oct. 2-4, 2013. Details about facility tours and other Philadelphia events are forthcoming.

“In an effort to address the evolving opportunities and challenges of facility management, Philadelphia is excited to host the World Workplace Conference & Expo in 2013,” said Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “As Philadelphia continues to work toward becoming the greenest city in the country through our Greenworks Philadelphia program, the city is pleased to welcome World Workplace attendees who share this commitment to sustainability. Smart facility management can play an important role in helping to create healthier, more efficient buildings and communities.”

To learn more about World Workplace, or to register, visit www.worldworkplace.org.