News on 19 October 2000
Ever wondered about the value of big professional gatherings? Well, IFMA has been asking members for their views of its annual World Workplace conference. The exhibition component, at least, is highly rated.
Viewed as a trade show, it is ranked as first choice for assisting FMs in buying decisions for contract furnishings and floorcoverings.
About half of its members, IFMA says, are final decision-maker for purchases in these areas. And even if they are not the final authority, in most cases the decision is still made within the facilities department.
Whatever other value the conference may have, the trade element is quite significant. In the past 12 months, respondents to IFMA’s survey spent an average of $540,000 on contract furnishings. 12% spent more than a million dollars on furnishings last year, and the same percentage expects to spend that much in the coming months.
The average expenditure over the past year on floorcoverings was just over $200,000. A few American FMs must have some big projects underway – 2% spent more than $1 million on floorcoverings last year, and another 3% will spend that much this year.
