The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) announced a new area of interest for professionals concerned with innovation in the workplace. The Workplace Evolutionaries (W.E.) was created by IFMA’s Corporate Real Estate Council (CREC) to provide a collaborative and learning environment to help evolve the workplace, expand workplace innovation and empower people.

“IFMA is delighted to welcome this new group of members  into the organization who are passionate, dedicated professionals interested in the integration of workplace, facility management and real estate. This area of interest is aligned with one of our eleven core competencies. We will all benefit from the focus this group will bring to the organization on new innovative ideas for creating more productive and cost-effective places for work. We welcome CREC Workplace Evolutionaries into the IFMA family,” said Tony Keane, IFMA president and CEO.

Jim Ware, PhD, is the president of the CREC, executive director of The Future of Work…unlimited and global research director for Occupiers Journal Limited. He observed, “I was excited to lead the CREC when I took over as president this past year, but now I am even more enthusiastic with this opportunity to work with Kate North, the Workplace Evolutionary leader and her talented and passionate leadership team. The CRE council’s mission is to align real estate and facility management. Workplace innovation is part of the CREC‘s charter, which is now supported  through the council’s new energy and growth. We plan to align ourselves with the work of the IFMA Foundation and IFMA Foundation Research Committee, other IFMA councils and the global academic community to be in tune with the latest thinking in workplace design, management and technology. Kate North, vice president of global development for e-Work.com, will be assisted by CREC board members Diane Coles Levine, SCAN Health Plan; Nancy Johnson Sanquist, Manhattan Software; Janice Cimbalo, JLL; and Erik Jasper of Planon.”

The CREC Workplace Evolutionaries will have its official kick-off during IFMA’s Facility Fusion conference in Los Angeles, Calif., USA. Those interested are invited Monday, April 1 for a ‘Rock the Foundation’ event from 3:30-5 p.m. CST and Thursday, April 4 from 2-5 p.m. CST for a CREC W.E. workshop. Both events will be followed by a reception to welcome the new addition to the council.