According to a recent study, Building Maintenance Services, by the Freedonia Group, Inc., snow removal expenses are expected to grow by more than 2 percent annually during next four years; and the snow removal industry is expected to break $4 billion by 2017. To help facilities managers manage long term snow removal services, Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA), a trade association for professionals involved with the snow & ice industry including snow plowing as well as commercial & residential snow removal, will hold its 2013 Snow Strategies Forum titled the Growing Snow Management Return on Investment, August 5-6, 2013 at the Hamilton Crowne Plaza, Washington, D.C.
 
This Forum is designed for leaders in the facilities and property management industries to meet, network and learn with leaders in the snow and ice removal industry. Attendees will exchange information in key strategic areas to:
• Gain more in-depth, balanced understanding of snow management services
• Understand how proper snow management adds value to a facilities management portfolio
• Learn about new trends and gain critical insight that can help qualify, manage and measure snow services year to year.

The Forum includes the following sessions:
 
Conflict management & resolution
Linda Swindling, President, Journey OnSession.
Learning objective: Manage snow-specific disagreements more effectively
 
A conversation on core values
Craig Ruppert, CEO, Ruppert Landscape
Learning objective: Linking values to successful outcomes
 
Understanding How Health Care Reform Impacts Employers 
Jennifer Pierotti, Manager, Health Care Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Learning objective: Understand how health care reform impacts business strategy
 
Discussing LEED and snow removal 
Stuart Kaplow, Principle, Stuart D. Kaplow, P.A.
Learning objective: Help influence how snow removal impacts LEED
 
Snow management best practices roundtable 
Phill Sexton, Director of Education & Outreach, SIMA
Learning objective: Share best practices in snow & ice management with industry leaders
 
Does deicing degrade concrete and asphalt?
Dale Keep, Principal, Ice & Snow Technologies
Learning objective: Understand the impact of deicing on parking surfaces
 
Will climate change impact snow and ice management service long term?
Marcus C. Sarofim, PhD, Environmental Scientist, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Learning objective: Gain scientific insight into changing winter weather patterns
 
Are snow RFP’s effectively managing costs for facilities professionals?
Lloyd Bowman, Acres Group
Learning objective: Identify the core criteria that necessary to any quality snow management effort