The Facilities Show
The largest facilities management event in the world The Facilities Show is the perfect opportunity to connect with over 250 facilities management suppliers to identify the perfect solutions for your business needs Facilities Show 2020 and its co-located events, which were originally scheduled to be staged in May 2020, will now be held at ExCeL London on 8–10 September 2020. This rescheduling also covers IFSEC International, FIREX International and the Safety & Health Expo. Discussing the rescheduling, Chris Edwards, Group Director at show organisers Informa Markets, said: “We have been
for our clients and exhibitors to regather in September—it gives the market time to recover as demand catches up. The rescheduled date provides clarity and ensures we have time and space to deliver the same fantastic event we promised, providing a safe and secure environment conducive to business, facilitie networking and career s anagem development for ent profess the health and i o n has an essentia safety and facilities during l role to pla management y t h e professions.” c o ro p
closely following developments since COVID–19 began spreading, and we have consistently been mindful of its potential impact on global events like ours. By working closely with our venue partners ExCeL we have now been able to secure rescheduled dates for these events, The which will now serve as an opportunity m
ande navir that bu mic by ensuri us n i users, r ldings, and th g emain s eir operati afe and onal
Facilities managers as ‘key workers’ Linda Hausmanis, chair of the IWFM, recently wrote to the Secretaries of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, calling for workplace and facilities management professionals, and their contractors, to be recognised as key workers in the national effort to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. The facilities management profession has an essential role to play during the pandemic by ensuring that buildings, and their users, remain safe and operational. Despite this, workplace and facilities management professionals have not been recognised by the government as ‘key workers’. Her letter details what we consider to be essential services and safety-critical systems, such as cleaning, security, fire safety, and waste management, among many others. It read: “Buildings enabling the provision of essential services that are so crucial in the COVID-19 response (such as hospitals, schools, banks, etc.) need to be clean, secure and well maintained to ensure they are safe for the people using them. Meanwhile, temporarily unoccupied buildings (such as closed down offices, hotels, etc.) and residential buildings still need essential maintenance, repairs and security to minimise any risk to user safety now and in the future, and to ensure business continuity. Water systems need E
Issue 27.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE
41