Advocacy for the FM profession lies at the heart of what IFMA does as an international association. Often defined as public support for a policy or cause, IFMA’s Advocacy program works with decision makers and stakeholders at the local, national and international levels to raise awareness of the role and impact of the facility management profession and how FMs can help policy makers identify best practices to achieve both corporate and policy goals.

To support this effort, IFMA has maintained nonpartisan, robust and successful government affairs programs in global capitals for many years. To best capitalize on these efforts, IFMA is empowering chapter leaders to engage with their local elected officials and corporate leaders to magnify the importance of the FM profession. It is a significant benefit of IFMA membership but requires member engagement to be truly impactful.

The global marketplace is in state of tremendous change across virtually every industrial sector, all of which are influenced by FM. The U.S. is in the midst of greatest reorganization of government since the New Deal in the 1930s. Government’s role has been evaluated, reassessed and often downsized. Federal employees have been ordered back to office buildings that in many cases were not prepared for their return. These changes are cascading to the state and local level and have had significant impact on traditional international alliances.

The European Union continues work on implementation of broad-based energy policy, to meet long term sustainability goals and to respond to short term energy shortages caused by the conflict in Ukraine. Operating in a post-COVID-19 world places a premium on competition and national security over international collaboration, EU leadership is investigating immediate solutions such as improved operations and maintenance to reduce energy consumption.

This global reality provides opportunity for global decision makers to refocus on green workforce development to meet energy and economic goals. They view improved operations and maintenance to reduce costs and increase productivity. Meanwhile, they are increasingly concerned with indoor air quality and preventing another global pandemic.

As the business of FM and the policies that drive it evolve, IFMA members and chapters must ensure they are part of that conversation. Positioning IFMA as a resource while engaging in relevant initiatives and expanding IFMA’s footprint helps the FM and its professionals stand out in an often crowded marketplace.

There are many ways to get involved, including creating a chapter government affairs committee, inviting public sector speakers to an event, and amplifying the industry’s voice on relevant pieces of legislation.

IFMA members based in the U.S. can participate in IFMA’s reimagined Advocacy Forum Oct.21-22, 2025.

To facilitate additional engagement, please consider joining an upcoming advocacy webinar, a government affairs committee meeting or contact our government affairs team at advocacy@ifma.org