There’s a lot to get through this month, what with the awards looming on May 25th, the passing of the inaugural fmME Breakfast Club and Conference at the end of March, and of course this month’s content.
Start at the start I say. And so to the Breakfast Club, an initiative that has been bubbling away since last November, and born through the lack of a Middle East association or body for the region’s facilities managers to work with, and from.
As I said when I took the reigns last year, this magazine is the voice for the industry. That’s all well and good, but somewhat dislocated if the publication doesn’t go out, meet the industry – supplier, client and educator – and listen to the challenges and opportunities faced in today’s marketplace.
With help and guidance from a number of the sector’s passionate free thinkers, fmME BC sat for the first time on March 29th. And from that small gathering of 10 came the message loud and clear that change and communication is needed; change in standards; change in legislation; change in working practices – all these need to be communicated to the various elements of FM and the construction industry.
Indeed, a move towards best practice and how to achieve and communicate that through the platform that is now the fmME Breakfast Club. We’ll be reconvening in a month or so, so let me know your thoughts. And a big thanks to the guests that are determined to make this happen: the magazine is but the facilitator.
On to the awards. May is not so far away, so good luck to those who entered and for those who didn’t, have a go next year. The ceremony is at the Westin this year, so be sure to log onto www.constructionweekonline/fmawards and book your table, after all, it’s a celebration of both what’s good about the industry and recognition of the hard work that goes in to it. So see you there.
Last and by no means least, content. A couple of issues have come to the fore recently: unemployment law in the UAE and the standard of tendering. We’ve got expert advice on both subjects, so have a read on the April issue of fmME and find out what’s what. We’ve also been down to the Dubai Metro with a report on the unique challenges and opportunities this project throws up for its FM provider and its importance to the Dubai public in general. There is more, but you’ll have to read it.
Paul Collett is the editor of facilities management Middle East.
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