2025 CONFERENCE

NORTHWEST FACILITIES EXPO / MANAGING GREEN BUILDINGS CONFERENCE

Time Name Speakers Description
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
8:50 AM - 9:50 AMSession 01: Future-Proofing Facilities Via Smart Lighting

Discover how luminaire level lighting controls (LLLC) can transform facility operations by integrating intelligent lighting systems with advanced controls. This session will highlight practical applications, including how LLLC reduces energy costs, simplifies system monitoring, and improves maintenance efficiency. The session will explore real-life case studies showcasing the tangible benefits of LLLC for facility managers looking to enhance building performance and future-proof their facilities, all while improving occupant satisfaction.

8:50 AM - 9:50 AMSession 02: Testing and Service Requirements for Standby Power Systems

Standby power system testing, although often misunderstood and misapplied, is critical to the reliability of a modern power system. This session will walk attendees through the final part of the four major stages of testing that takes place for a generator set: maintenance testing. This review of best practices will empower facility owners and managers to administer appropriate test strategies in an effort to maintain a reliable power system.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AMSession 03: PDX Next Terminal Core Redevelopment: ORAT’s Operational Lessons Learned and Best Practices

Everybody has been reading or hearing about the new terminal at Portland International Airport, and you may have wondered what this means to the PDX Operations. This in-depth presentation will describe the ORAT program – Operational Readiness Activation & Transition – pivotal to ensuring a seamless transition from design to full-scale operations.  This will show how ORAT at PDX supported the successful introduction of new facilities, infrastructure, systems and standard operating procedures. Among the topics discussed will be:  development of operations and maintenance needs and staffing, participation of Operations staff with the project team during construction, and review and acceptance of training, equipment, inspection and commissioning, including the development, planning, testing and certification of fire life safety systems. Hear about PDX ORAT experiences, including a very public opening dress rehearsal, and gain ideas you can apply to changes within your facility.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AMSession 04: Practical Thermal Imaging Applications

This session will provide information about infrared thermography, and about practical applications for the testing of electrical systems, pumps, bearings, motors, steam traps, tank levels, roofs and building envelopes. Learn about the energy-saving/maintenance improvement benefits of infrared, and ways in which infrared testing can also improve safety, product quality and process performance.

11:10 AM - 12:10 PMSession 05: How to Comply with the Oregon Building Performance Standards

Description to come.

11:10 AM - 12:10 PMSession 06: How to Mitigate and Minimize Damage after a Water Incident

Whether a building experiences a broken pipe, a roof problem, or a flood, most construction materials quickly degrade when exposed to water for even brief periods: wallboard, insulation, wood, flooring and paint to name just a few. In addition, in the case of energy-efficient airtight commercial facilities, damp materials and air-tight buildings create perfect conditions for mold, so the first 24 hours after exposure to water are crucial. In this session, the speaker will discuss measures to minimize additional damage after a water incident, and proper steps to navigating microbial growth. These tips can help save you thousands of dollars, and get your facility back on track faster.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PMSession 07: Security Guidelines for Safer Schools – Information Managers Need to Know to Safeguard K-12 Facilities

Of all active shooter situations, those involving K-12 schools are possibly the most terrible. But in recent years, guidelines have been developed, by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security and also The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS). The PASS guide contains much information that facilities managers and their staff members need to know to safeguard K-12 school facilities. Find out about the various aspects of physical security described in the guide (doors, locks, fences, gates, etc.) and how to make sure your policies and equipment meet the security need for your unique schools and districts.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PMSession 08: Improving Your Communication Skills – Essential for Professional Success

Communication is at the heart of every successful endeavor – whether you're leading teams, managing projects, or building strong relationships. This session will focus on essential strategies for active listening, delivering clear and compelling messages, and tailoring your approach to diverse audiences. Through practical insights and actionable tips, you'll learn how to overcome common communication barriers, foster collaboration, and navigate challenging conversations with confidence. 

2:10 PM - 2:40 PMSession A: Film - Earthquake-Resilient Hospitals for the Future – Facilities Lessons LearnedFacilities managers who work in companies located on the West Coast are always cognizant of earthquake risks and want to ensure they are prepared. And of all facility types, possibly hospitals are those where emergency preparedness is the most vital. This extremely interesting film, produced by University of California Television, shows a first-of-its-kind structural test conducted at UC San Diego as a five-story mockup of a hospital, including a surgical suite, is subjected to dramatic earthquakes and fire testing in order to better understand how the many complex systems within hospital buildings perform after earthquakes. Teaming up with the California Seismic Safety Commission, this UCSD-TV documentary explores the history of seismic safety for California's hospital infrastructure, and what is being done to secure its future. This film will be of value to facilities engineers who work in all types of West Coast facilities – not just hospitals – since the “lessons learned” from this important testing project will give ideas of what they need to examine regarding their own emergency preparedness.
Thursday, May 15, 2025
8:50 AM - 9:50 AMSession 09: Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail: The Bathtub Curve of Fire System Failures

Fire system failures often follow predictable patterns. This session explains the “bathtub curve” of failures and the impact of neglecting testing. Attendees will gain insights into critical standards, learn practical steps to commission and maintain fire systems, and establish a routine to avoid disaster.

8:50 AM - 9:50 AMSession 10: Cost-Effective Strategies to Enhance Your Workplace and Retain Top Talent

Explore approachable solutions to help transform your office spaces, making them more appealing to employees and clients. This session highlights actionable concepts, inspired by cutting-edge workplace design that fosters engagement and helps attract and retain top talent.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AMSession 11: NFPA 70E: What You Need to Know About the Electrical Safety Standard

NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® is the topic of this presentation, which will focus on safety related work practices, safety related maintenance requirements and safety requirements for special equipment. Also learn about additional resources for electrical safety in the workplace. This session will advance on-the-job safety for you, your staff members, and contracted people.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AMSession 12: The Flying Inspector: How Wilsonville’s Building Department Uses Drones

This interesting and informative presentation will showcase how a local Oregon jurisdiction incorporates drones as a tool in their inspection program to save time and money. The two speakers from the City of Wilsonville will discuss how their building department utilizes drones for solar installations, tall warehouses, re-roofing, framing, shear walls, rooftop mechanical units, and final inspections. A third speaker will answer technical questions about drone use. Why drones? It’s an innovative inspection tool that enhances safety, improves time efficiency, and provides better inspections. The high-definition cameras allow inspectors to see even the small details such as nailing placement. They also allow for a safe and rapid response in post disasters to facilitate quick asset deployment and recovery. Be in the know on this valuable technology.

11:10 AM - 12:10 PMSession 13: Get Your Projects Approved By Presenting Maintenance as a Contributor to the Company, Not a Cost

Deferred maintenance is an ongoing challenge for nearly every facility. Facilities engineers often face difficulties in securing the necessary resources to maintain equipment and ensure its safe operation. This presentation will explore strategies for presenting deferred maintenance projects as value-driven investments rather than mere costs, increasing the chances of project approval. We’ll cover how to use self-funding projects to generate savings, which can then be reinvested into other important maintenance tasks that don’t offer a direct payback, such as door hardware, ADA improvements, and cleaning equipment. Attendees will also gain insights from real-world case studies and learn about available incentives to help support their maintenance goals.

11:10 AM - 12:10 PMSession 14: Roof Inspections of Commercial Buildings – Advances in Methods and Technology Bring Benefits

Routine roof inspections can help prevent leaks and delay replacements, but not all roof inspections are created equal. This session will cover the latest advances in roof inspections, including technology advances, infrared or thermal scanning, core sampling, and more. The speaker also will review inspection best practices like timing, frequency, and more.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PMSession 15: Training – the Overlooked Opportunity for O&M Savings, and a Look at the BOC Program

Trained and motivated building operators in facilities nationwide are reducing energy and utility costs by 15% or more -- with little to no capital investment – simply through changes in the operation and maintenance of complex building systems and equipment. Learn the details of the Building Operator Certification (BOC) program created by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council and delivered in Oregon by the Northwest Water and Energy Education Institute (NWEII). Designed for operations and maintenance staff working in public or private commercial buildings, it educates individuals on energy and resource-efficient building system operation at two levels. This presentation will discuss the BOC program in detail including costs and Energy Trust of Oregon incentives.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PMSession 16: Tour of the Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center

Attendees will congregate in a meeting room and from there be guided to the Hyatt Regency Portland at the Convention Center, the largest hotel in Oregon, which recently celebrated its 5-year anniversary. Designed and built as a LEED-certified building, the hotel’s engineering director will provide a behind-the-scenes, top-to-bottom tour of facilities operations, including central plant features, the elevator room, fire control room, main and emergency power electrical rooms, pump rooms, and waste collection areas.

2:10 PM - 2:40 PMSession B: Film - Earthquake-Resilient Hospitals for the Future – Facilities Lessons LearnedFacilities managers who work in companies located on the West Coast are always cognizant of earthquake risks and want to ensure they are prepared. And of all facility types, possibly hospitals are those where emergency preparedness is the most vital. This extremely interesting film, produced by University of California Television, shows a first-of-its-kind structural test conducted at UC San Diego as a five-story mockup of a hospital, including a surgical suite, is subjected to dramatic earthquakes and fire testing in order to better understand how the many complex systems within hospital buildings perform after earthquakes. Teaming up with the California Seismic Safety Commission, this UCSD-TV documentary explores the history of seismic safety for California's hospital infrastructure, and what is being done to secure its future. This film will be of value to facilities engineers who work in all types of West Coast facilities – not just hospitals – since the “lessons learned” from this important testing project will give ideas of what they need to examine regarding their own emergency preparedness.

As of 2012, the Green Building Certification Institute allows individuals with LEED Professional credentials to report any education related to green buildings to the Institute for continuing education. Upon request, Facilities Expo will send a certificate of completion for sessions on green building topics to any LEED Professional who requests one for GBCI documentation purposes, as long as they make the request at the conclusion of the class session, and as long as their badge was scanned.