ConnexFM 2026
- ConnexFM
- 21 hours ago
- 5 min read
The National Conference Recap
By Tim Ballard | ConnexFM
What’s the right word to describe ConnexFM’s yearly National Conference?
You could have called ConnexFM 2026 a learning center, a networking engine, a gathering of industry leaders, or a celebration of its members. But more than anything, it was a hub. A place where all of those moments converged at once and at scale.
From the moment you joined old friends and colleagues in tropical Orlando early Sunday morning, to the night you left us at that electric closing party, members from organizations small and large were met with opportunities to help communities, the industry, and themselves.
We’re excited to say this was one of our biggest and best yet too. With over 2200 attendees from an array of Multi-Site FM organizations and Exhibiting Suppliers. Each day was a chance to gain something special, something you can actually use. And why wouldn’t it be? That’s the whole point of ConnexFM!
Let’s take a peek at the highlights that made ConnexFM 2026 one for the books.
Sunday – Up with the Orlando sun, and off to make an IMPACT
In true people-first fashion, the pre-conference kicked off as the ever-altruistic Connex Foundation got to work. Members joined in raising funds and partnering with "Help Now of Osceola" in Kissimmee, Florida to support temporary housing for victims of domestic abuse and help shape a brighter tomorrow for those who need it most.
Celebrating 10 years of the IMPACT program, the Foundation marked the occasion with a charity raffle, paired with an evening fundraiser to continue supporting communities in need.
Monday – Back to class, ConnexFM style
After sign-ins (and a stop at the registration line mimosa bar), the day shifted fully into learning mode. We had an absolute field day with the education lineup that was headlined Monday and ran through the rest of the conference.
There were phenomenal industry insights on a variety of social engineering concepts and practices such as the practical application of the DISC Assessment and how Woman were breaking barriers in the industry. There was clever instruction on team building techniques and technical revolutions in AI and mechanical engineering. We even witnessed demonstration labs that let us fully experience the breakdown of an HVAC system’s components or see how a patch of road is paved over from start to finish.
Here’s the full line up this year from our education specialists, you should have a look at everything we got up to.
Tuesday – Finding Inspiration and the Main Event
Now we arrive at the main course of the event, where the bulk of the connections for many of you were made.
We all got together Tuesday morning for the annual General Session, welcoming our new Chair of the Board of Directors, Jessica Fumo, who took the reins following a successful term from Kenneth Jones. After her opening remarks, Jessica joined ConnexFM CEO Bill Yanek for a co-hosted interview with this year’s keynote speaker and Duke University and college basketball legend, Mike ‘Coach K’ Krzyzewski.
Coach K reflected on how the challenges of his career helped shape his outlook on professionalism, emphasizing adaptability and the value of teamwork, even in the most demanding situations.
Jessica Fumo, Director of Store Preservation for Sephora, is welcomed as the new Chair of the ConnexFM Board of Directors.
Mike ‘Coach K’ Krzyzewski, during his keynote speaker interview with ConnexFM CEO Bill Yanek and Chair Jessica Fumo.
After the General Session, we got down to business with Quick Connect. Many of you might be familiar with the format, your chance to “speed date” potential partners and build connections designed to help meet the needs of organizations across the FM industry.
The same energy carried onto the exhibition floor, where what could only be described as a carnival of industry engagement unfolded. Exhibitors and viewers shook hands and made professional connections over game booths, interactive displays, team building activities, service presentations, and swag galore. These more than 400 large exhibits felt right at home in the amusement park capital of the world.
FM's and Suppliers meet and greet at the lightening fast Quick Connect event.
Attendees mingle and share opportunities to work together on the exhibition hall floor.
Wednesday – Honoring contributions and saying farewell
Spending our closing day on Wednesday with you all is something many of us at ConnexFM look back on fondly. We wrapped things up with a bang, recognizing long-term contributors and active achievers across the industry and within the association.
Members who accepted these awards joined us in celebrating their accomplishments, and we encourage all of you to take a look at this year’s winners to see the impact being made, and how you can be a part of it as well. This year’s honors highlighted excellence across several key areas:
Multi-Site Team of the Year Awards – Recognizes the highest level of performance and excellence from a multi-site facility management team in the United States and Canada.
Supplier of the Year Awards – Recognizes outstanding supplier or consultant performance within the Canadian and U.S. FM landscape.
Global Impact Innovators Award – Highlights organizations leading the way in social and environmental responsibility through innovative practices.
Young Professional of the Year Award – Awarded to an emerging leader under 35 making meaningful contributions to both ConnexFM and the industry.
Lawrence W. Whelan Connex Lifetime Achievement Award – The association’s highest honor, recognizing a career of extraordinary impact and lasting contributions to the profession.
Service Excellence Award – Recognizes dedicated volunteer members who have made significant contributions to ConnexFM and the broader FM community.
In addition, we were proud to present the Hubster of the Quarter Award, our newest member achievement recognition, highlighting individuals already making a strong impact within the ConnexFM community.
We closed out the conference with an incredible afterparty, headlined by the fantastic cover band Q The Band, sending everyone off on a high note.
The Lawrence W. Whelan Connex Lifetime Achievement Award received by Bill & Maryella Pegnato.
Q the Band rocking out to a full house during the closing party.
Until Next Year…
It’s hard to sum up a week like this, but if there’s one thing that stands out, it’s the authenticity of the relationships that come out of it. The conversations you had and the moments in between are what make National Conference what it needs to be every year.
Wherever you’re headed next, we hope ConnexFM 2026 gave you the connections and momentum to get there. We’ll see you at the next one.
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