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Building Connections - August - Issue 2
august 21/2026 - issue 2
Building Connections
Connecting people, ideas, and opportunities across our community.
Marcia O'Connor
President & Academic Director, CAFAE Founder & President, AMFM Consulting Inc. Inspirational Leader | Educator | Mentor
From Marcia's Desk
Our industry has never been one that stands still. The challenges change, the tools evolve, and expectations continue to grow.
What excites me is seeing how professionals across the built environment are responding. We're asking different questions, challenging old ways of working, and taking a more strategic role in the organizations and communities we support. Growth doesn't always mean having all the answers. Sometimes it starts with being willing to rethink the ones we already have.
I hope something in this issue gets you thinking.
Marcia
Spotlight - CAF2026
CAF2026 Session Spotlight: Supply Chain Resilience
Supply chains are unpredictable. Your operations can't be.
Hear four industry perspectives on navigating rising costs, shifting lead times, and supplier uncertainty, with practical insights on procurement, contingency planning, and building greater operational resilience.
CAF2026 - Sponsorship Spotlight
Troy Life & Fire Safety
CAFAE newsletter subscribers use Promo Code: SpecialCAF2026 for $50 off!
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Speaking with Confidence to Leadership
Sept. 9, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. EDT | Virtual Webinar
Great ideas don't speak for themselves. Let's share ways to make our expertise heard, communicate our value, and bring greater confidence to conversations with leadership.
CWF: When High Standards Become Invisible
September 16 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET | Virtual Webinar
What happens when being dependable makes your best work disappear? Explore how women in facilities can recognize when reliability is taken for granted, name their value, and shift from essential to seen.
Advanced FM Certificate
Begins Sept. 21 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. ET | Virtual Program
Great facility managers don't just manage buildings. They shape strategy. Develop the skills to improve facility performance, manage risk, and support organizational success through this 12-week program.
U of T SCS: 3302 Facilities Management
Begins Sept. 22 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. ET | Virtual Program
Ready to see the whole FM picture? Led by Marcia O'Connor, this 10-week program explores the core competencies of FM, from operations and planning to communication, risk, and the built environment.
Looking Ahead
Move from Reactive to Proactive Maintenance Using Data, Analytics & AI
Sept. 22, 29 & Oct. 6 | 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET | Virtual Workshop
Still spending too much time putting out fires? Learn how to shift from reactive maintenance to a more proactive approach that reduces surprises, improves planning, and puts you ahead of problems.
Resource Centre
How FMs Influence Organizational Success
If you're doing your job well, people may barely notice. That's the strange reality of facilities management. Marcia explores the leadership happening behind the scenes every day, from preventing disruptions and protecting budgets to influencing decisions and strengthening organizations.
Article - The Shift Leaders Forget
Your building doesn’t stop when you go home. Neither should leadership.
Your night shift sees a side of your facility most leaders rarely experience. So, when was the last time you talked to them when nothing was wrong?
Community Events & Updates
IFMA: Sun Life Waterloo Facility Tour
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of a historic headquarters? Join IFMA on September 16 for a facility tour of Sun Life's historic headquarters, followed by networking.
WIRAM Global Summit 2026
Women in reliability and asset management are taking the global stage. Connect, learn, and share perspectives with women across the industry at the WIRAM Global Summit.
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