First-Time Attendees Guide to World Workplace

Attending World Workplace for the first time? You're in for an experience unlike any other facility management event.

From educational sessions and facility tours to networking opportunities and one of the industry's largest expos, World Workplace brings together thousands of facility professionals from around the world to learn, share ideas and explore what's next for the built environment.

With so much happening throughout the week, a little preparation can go a long way. Here are six tips to help you make the most of your first World Workplace experience.

1. Plan Your Schedule in Advance

With seven curated education tracks, facility tours, keynote presentations, networking events and expo activities, World Workplace offers more opportunities than you can fit into a single week. Reviewing the agenda in advance will help you prioritize the experiences most relevant to your goals and ensure you don't miss popular sessions or special events.

Create a personalized itinerary and identify the sessions, networking events and activities that align with your professional interests and objectives.

Don't Miss the Welcome Reception

The Welcome Reception is one of the easiest ways for first-time attendees to start building connections before the conference officially begins. Whether you're attending with colleagues or arriving on your own, it's a relaxed opportunity to meet fellow facility professionals from around the world.

2. Network Intentionally

Networking is one of the biggest reasons to join World Workplace in person. Take advantage of opportunities to connect with peers, industry experts and potential collaborators. Be proactive in introducing yourself, exchanging contact information and participating in discussions throughout the week.

Before arriving, consider sharing an "I'm Attending" graphic to your LinkedIn to let other attendees know you are going.

Make Time for Informal Networking

Some of the most valuable conversations happen between sessions. Networking lunches, refreshment breaks and evening events provide opportunities to exchange ideas, discuss common challenges and build relationships with professionals who understand the realities of facility management.

3. Explore the Expo Floor

The World Workplace Expo is more than a trade show. It's a place to learn, network and discover solutions that can help you solve real facility management challenges.

Connect with leading FM solution providers, explore the latest tools and technologies, and get answers to your biggest workplace and facility questions. Exhibitors represent a wide range of product and service categories, including building automation, HVAC and IAQ, energy management, security, software solutions, operations and maintenance, emergency response, real estate, sustainability, workplace services and more.

While you're on the expo floor, be sure to:

• Attend Innovation Arena presentations for quick, practical insights and product demonstrations from industry experts.
• Visit exhibitors and schedule one-on-one conversations to learn about solutions that align with your organization's needs.
• Update your professional image with a complimentary headshot at the Headshot Hub.
• Participate in interactive expo activities like Trail to Treasure and Wear it to Win It for opportunities to win prizes and cash giveaways.
• Take advantage of networking lunches held on the expo floor and connect with fellow facility professionals.

Tip: Before arriving, view the exhibitors and floor map before you go, so you can maximize your time and make the most of your World Workplace experience.

4. Learn from Industry Leaders

Education Sessions

World Workplace 2026 features a redesigned educational experience built around seven curated learning tracks, making it easier than ever to find content aligned with your goals. Whether you're focused on operational excellence, workplace strategy, emerging technology or leadership development, you'll have access to expert-led sessions designed to deliver practical insights you can take back to your organization.

The seven tracks include:

1. Connected Buildings

2. Digital Futures: Facility Fusion

3. Leading Change

4. Facility Operations

5. Resilient Facilities

6. Future Workplaces

7. The Ideas Lab

Whether you're focused on operational excellence, workplace strategy, emerging technology or leadership development, you'll have access to expert-led sessions designed to deliver practical insights you can take back to your organization.

Keynotes

Beyond education sessions, World Workplace's keynote speakers bring fresh perspectives from outside the facility management profession while offering lessons that directly apply to leadership, innovation and workplace culture.

The Opening Keynote features B.J. Novak, writer, actor and executive producer best known for his work on The Office. In a moderated conversation, Novak will share stories and lessons from his career spanning television, film, comedy and publishing. Attendees can expect insights on collaboration, creativity, adaptability and the role workplace culture plays in helping teams thrive.

The Innovation Keynote welcomes Duncan Wardle, former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney. Drawing from his experience working with Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm, Wardle will challenge attendees to rethink how innovation happens in organizations. His session will explore how facility management professionals can cultivate creativity, curiosity and problem-solving skills to navigate disruption, embrace change and prepare for the future of work.

5. Take Advantage of Unique Experiences

Beyond educational sessions and networking events, World Workplace offers experiences you won't find anywhere else. From behind-the-scenes facility tours to interactive expo activities and special networking events, these experiences provide additional opportunities to learn, connect and gain practical insights from fellow professionals.

Exclusive Facility Tours

Participate in behind-the-scenes facility tours that offer a unique opportunity to explore some of the most innovative workplaces and facilities in the region. Guided by the facility professionals responsible for operating these spaces, you'll gain firsthand insight into best practices, operational strategies and lessons learned that can be applied to your own facilities.

These popular tours often sell out, so be sure to reserve your spot early.

6. Put Your World Workplace Experience Into Action

The value of World Workplace doesn't end when you leave. After the event, take time to review your notes, download session materials and organize the ideas, resources and contacts you gathered throughout the week.

Connect with new colleagues on LinkedIn, follow up on conversations with peers and solution providers, and identify a few key takeaways you can immediately apply in your role. Whether it's implementing a new process, exploring a technology solution or sharing insights with your team, putting your learning into action will help maximize your return on investment.

Your first World Workplace is more than a conference. It's an opportunity to expand your professional network, discover new ideas, gain practical knowledge and connect with a global community of facility management professionals. Come prepared, stay curious and make the most of every conversation, session and experience along the way.