fmME Breakfast Club is getting hot, hot, hot…

As is the weather, the drive to form a licensed business group for facilities managers in the Middle East is heating up. As this is written, preparations are being made to make a formal presentation to the Dubai Ruler's Court to this end.

You may have received an email from me requesting your support, so many thanks to those who've responded so far. I think it's an amazing achievement after just three meetings to be in this position, amply illustrating your passion and drive to move the industry on.

You can read all about proceedings on page 6 in the print issue of fmME, and a full break down of where the fmME Breakfast Club and the formation of the business group is here.

Continuing the promotional theme, this month fmME is showcasing FM companies in the UAE as both a precursor to World FM Day, which falls on August 28th, and in recognition of the role you play in sustaining the UAEs' built environment - you are its custodians for generations to come. The work the best of you do can, if you do it well, go unnoticed, so here's recognition of your role.

To add grist to the mill, the post-show FM Expo report makes interesting reading: international exhibitors up 30 percent on 2008, while footfall increased 25 percent; and this in light of the grim UBS report estimating that a third of Dubai's housing would be lying empty by 2010. Show director Louisa Theobald makes a valid point, in so much that whether a building is empty or full, it needs to be managed. It is an asset, and hopefully what we're seeing due to the economic correction is developers' recognition of this fact.

We're also featuring a spotlight on corporate social responsibility, best practice and giving back to the community. If you want to be involved drop me a line and fmME will highlight what you're doing.

Enjoy the magazine, and the weather.

Paul Collett is the editor of Facilities Management Middle East.

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