From indoor air quality legislation to federal property reform, today’s policy conversations increasingly rely on insights from facility management (FM) professionals. Every facility manager has a wealth of knowledge that can shape the policies, regulations and public perceptions that affect the built environment. Whether it involves strengthening indoor air quality standards, modernizing federal property, clarifying workforce development priorities or simply helping the public understand what facility managers do, advocacy begins with one thing: your voice.
In IFMA’s recent webinar, “Engaging with Elected Officials: How to Make Your Voice Heard,” Executive Director of Government Affairs Jeff Johnson and longtime IFMA policy partner Brian Vickers offered a practical roadmap for how facility professionals can engage policymakers and influence decisions at every level of government. Their message was clear: advocacy is powerful, practical and accessible to every FM.
As Johnson reminded attendees, “Advocacy really means being an advocate for the FM profession, helping people understand who you are, what you do and why it is important.”
If you missed the live session, you can watch it below.
Policy decisions influence the buildings where people work, play and learn. They shape how public funds are allocated, how buildings are maintained and which workforce development programs are prioritized. Facility managers are uniquely positioned to provide clarity and real-world context to those making decisions.
Johnson put it simply: “Elected officials are fully capable of making decisions without our input, but we really prefer that they have informed perspective and know how the decisions they make are going to impact the industries they are regulating.”
This is why proactive engagement matters. In a legislative environment where large bills move slowly, facility managers have greater influence through education, testimony, local engagement and consistent communication with policymakers.
Related: Why Advocacy Matters for Facility Managers - Locally, Nationally and Globally
Throughout the webinar, Johnson outlined several priority issues shaping facility management in 2026 and beyond.
The federal government owns and operates more than 500,000 buildings worldwide, many of which are underutilized. The cost of maintaining vacant or outdated buildings is significant. Johnson explained, “The problems just got that much worse with COVID,” and noted that progress has been made through legislation requiring better space utilization rates and facility condition indexes.
Public awareness of IAQ has increased dramatically since COVID-19. IFMA is supporting federal and state initiatives to modernize IAQ standards, invest in monitoring technologies and improve air quality in schools and public buildings. Johnson noted that one of the main reasons people hesitate to return to offices is concern about indoor environmental quality.
Both speakers underscored that workforce shortages remain one of the biggest threats to FM. As buildings become more complex and technology driven, the need for skilled workers increases. Vickers highlighted a growing gap in hands-on technical fields such as HVAC, building automation and electrical work. “It is an area that needs workers,” he said, noting that many skilled roles will not be automated or outsourced.
The second half of the webinar focused on practical steps FMs can take to build productive, ongoing relationships with policymakers.
As the built environment evolves and global challenges persist, the facility management profession plays an increasingly strategic role. Policymakers rely on accurate, real-world information to make effective decisions. That information must come from those who understand buildings best, and advocacy ensures those voices are heard.