Connected FM: A Blog by IFMA

Your Guide to the World Workplace 2026 Agenda

Written by Elizabeth Shelton | 8 September 2026

The countdown to World Workplace 2026 is on, and it's time to start planning your experience in Anaheim, California.

From inspiring keynote speakers and expert-led education sessions to networking events, hands-on experiences and the Expo, this year's agenda is designed to help facility management professionals gain practical insights, discover new solutions and build meaningful connections.

Whether you're attending to explore AI, strengthen your leadership skills, discover new technologies or expand your professional network, the World Workplace agenda makes it easy to build a schedule that matches your goals.

The full agenda is now live, so here's what you need to know before you start planning.

What You'll Find on the Agenda

In-Person Training

Want to get even more from your trip to Anaheim? Arrive early and take advantage of IFMA's in-person training courses before the conference begins. These courses help you build practical skills, earn continuing education credits and make progress toward IFMA credentials.

Space is limited, so registering early is recommended.

Facility Tours

Go behind the scenes at some of Southern California's most innovative facilities and hear directly from the professionals who manage them. These exclusive tours offer a firsthand look at how leading organizations approach operations, sustainability, maintenance and building performance.

This year's facility tours include:

  • Park Place Irvine — Explore a 2.1 million-square-foot campus featuring a centralized utility plant, advanced building automation and smart energy optimization strategies that support efficient operations across multiple buildings.
  • Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) — Discover the operations behind one of Southern California's most recognizable transit hubs, known for its iconic architecture, sustainable design and complex transportation systems.
  • Anaheim Convention Center — Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the LEED-certified venue hosting World Workplace and learn how its facilities team manages preventive maintenance, utility systems and nearly 10,000 tons of cooling across the campus.

Facility tours are one of the most popular experiences at World Workplace and often sell out. If you're interested in attending, be sure to reserve your spot early.

Keynote Speakers

This year's keynote lineup brings together two creative thinkers who will challenge the way you approach leadership, innovation and problem solving.

Opening Keynote: B.J. Novak

Best known as an executive producer, writer and actor on The Office, B.J. Novak will open World Workplace with a keynote focused on creativity, collaboration and embracing new ways of thinking.

Innovation Keynote: Duncan Wardle

Former Head of Innovation & Creativity at Disney, Duncan Wardle has helped teams at Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm rethink how they solve problems. His keynote will explore practical techniques for fostering creativity and innovation that attendees can apply in their own organizations.

Education Sessions

Finding the right sessions is easier than ever at World Workplace 2026. This year's education program features eight curated learning tracks that group related topics together, making it simple to build a personalized schedule around your interests and career goals. Each track delivers practical insights, expert perspectives and real-world strategies you can apply long after the conference ends.

Session Spotlights

Here are a few sessions you may want to add to your schedule:

  • The Future of Smart Facilities: AI, IoT & Digital Twins in Buildings
  • AI Starts with Clean Facility Data
  • The "R" Factor: A New Approach to Employee Engagement, Performance & Loyalty
  • In Pursuit of Operational Perfection: The Life of an FM Quality Specialist
  • Expect the Unexpected: Facility Resilience Lessons from Cultural Properties
  • Downtime, Exposure and the Risks You Cannot See

Join Virtually with World Workplace Live

Can't make it to Anaheim?

World Workplace Live lets you participate from anywhere with access to select live-streamed sessions, on-demand content and insights from the industry's leading conference. It's a flexible way to stay connected and continue learning no matter where you're located.

Explore the Expo

The World Workplace Expo brings together hundreds of solution providers showcasing the latest products, technologies and services shaping the future of facility management.

Whether you're searching for new software, workplace technology, maintenance solutions, sustainability products or building services, the Expo is an opportunity to compare solutions, ask questions and connect directly with the experts behind them.

Before you arrive, browse the exhibitor directory to identify the companies you want to visit, schedule time to explore the Expo floor and discover innovations that can help solve challenges at your own facilities.

Innovation Arena

Located on the Expo floor, the Innovation Arena features short presentations from industry experts showcasing emerging technologies, practical solutions and new ideas shaping the future of facility management.

It's a great opportunity to learn something new between education sessions while exploring the Expo.

Networking Opportunities

Some of the most valuable conversations happen outside the classroom. Throughout the week, attendees can connect with peers, industry leaders and solution providers at networking events across the conference.

Highlights include:

  • California Dreamin' Welcome Reception — Kick off World Workplace with Southern California-inspired food, music and networking under the Anaheim sky.
  • Explore FM — Meet IFMA Fellows, volunteer leaders and fellow attendees while discovering the many career paths within facility management.
  • IFMA Cares Community Service Project — Give back to the local community by assembling holiday care packages for families supported by Miracles for Kids.
  • Lights. Camera. Impact. — Support the IFMA Foundation during an evening of entertainment, networking and fundraising at the House of Blues.
  • Awards of Excellence — Celebrate the professionals, teams and organizations making an impact across the facility management profession.

Start Building Your Schedule

The World Workplace agenda includes hundreds of opportunities to learn, network and discover new ideas. Before you arrive in Anaheim, take time to browse the agenda, bookmark your favorite sessions and leave room in your schedule for the Expo and networking events.

The earlier you plan, the easier it will be to make the most of your World Workplace experience.

Browse the full World Workplace 2026 agenda and start building your schedule today.