Lauren Brant explores how wellness, modularity, emotional performance, and experiential lighting are shaping Chicago Design Week 2026. Chicago Design Week includes NeoCon at The MART, Fulton Market Design Days at Fulton Market, and the growing ecosystem of showrooms, installations, pop-ups, and activations transforming Chicago into a citywide conversation about the future of design.

Listen to the whole podcast on iands Design

After covering the first half of the BIFMA 360 Conference, it's time to delve into what came next. While all of the sessions throughout the event covered a wide range of ideas, the ultimately tied together around a shared theme: innovation only works when it serves people. 

The Competitive Edge: Spot Trends in the Future of Work with Crystal Washington, Strategist | Futurist

Focusing on how organizations can distinguish meaningful signals from noise as the pace of technological and social change keeps accelerating, Washington opened by noting that not every emerging tool or headline deserves attention, particularly when it fails to deliver clear human value. Her central argument was that innovation doesn't move at the speed of invention, but instead, at the speed of human adoption. 

To illustrate this point, Washington referenced familiar technologies like video calling and QR codes, which existed for years before becoming widely used. Adoption, she explained, accelerated once usability improved and social conditions aligned. The takeaway for organizations navigating AI and future-of-work technologies is evident: Progress depends just as much on behavioral readiness as it does on technical capability. Washington also addressed the emotional impact of sustained disruption. Through an interactive exercise with attendees, she demonstrated how overlapping change (whether economic, environmental, or technological) can trigger stress responses that make individuals resistant even to things that are beneficial. Resistance, she noted, is often misinterpreted as stubbornness, but understood as a natural human response to ongoing disruption. That means successful change management requires clarity, empathy, and pacing. 

Looking ahead, Washington outlined several long-term trends influencing the built environment and workplace strategy. Flexibility is increasingly favored over permanence, with modular and reconfigurable solutions gaining traction as planning time shortens. Healthcare demand continues to show relative strength, while education is moving toward adult learning, hybrid delivery models, and workforce training. Climate-driven migration, though longer-term, is already shaping investment decisions around durability and mobility. Instead of prescribing fixed responses, Washington introduced foresight tools, including STEEP analysis, scenario planning, and pre-mortems, to help organizations prepare without becoming overwhelmed. She encouraged leaders to seek insight not only from executive teams, but from frontline employees closest to customer friction and early signals of change. The session concluded with reframing of expectations. Rather than striving to "get caught up" Washington urged attendees to cultivate curiosity. In a world where no one can master every emerging technology, she suggested openness, collaboration, and sustained learning were positioned as the most reliable paths forward. 

Read to the whole article at The Business of Furniture!

The BIMFA 360 conference is a bit like a week-long camp for office furniture executives, albeit at a swanky resort in a warm location. They spend time learning, they socialize with their peers and play a bit as well. The conference has become a must-attend for C-suite level execs, one of the few events where competitors become colleagues for three days, this year at the Vinoy Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Fla. 

 
Speaker Bernard Baumohl, chief global economist at The Economic Outlook Group chats with BIMFA President & CEO Deirdre Jimenez. Photos by officeinsight

Not Even a winter storm with bitter cold and snow that stretched across the country could stop the 200 or so attendees from coming together to hear an impressive group of speakers who challenged the group's thinking on everything from the economy to AI. While about a dozen executives were truly stuck or stranded by the weather and didn't make it, those who found their way to St. Pete were treated to another excellent conference. 

BIFMA President & CEO Deirdre Jimenez said 209 attendees were registered, topping last year's total. "Many of you are returning and I'm seeing more leadership teams being registered and attending. We have nine member companies who registered over four  associates per company. JSI took the lead with eight. The conference is designed to provide leadership content and what better way to prepare your teams that determine the future of your company by hearing the same messages, taking them back and hitting the ground running."

Read to the whole article at Office Insight!

The phrase "connection is key" was top of mind for me at the 2026 BIMFA 360 Conference, held this pas week at The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Florida — for several reasons. While a major snowstorm complicated travel for some attendees, for those who made it through, the event's networking moments and educational sessions reinforced a clear message to us all: Technological and societal advancements aren't things to resist; they are innovations to embrace and work with because when paired with a human touch, collaboration delivers real, measurable business value. 

Starting with the Welcome Reception and signature Speed Dining Dinner on Monday, attendees had the opportunity to catch up with familiar faces and engage with new ones during the popular networking accelerator. Nothing beats an in-person experience like this, where ideas cross sectors. As we've reported previously, the rotation of tables for each course remains a favorite experience among attendees, serving as a prime example of the conference's human-centered thesis: Technology doesn't replace relationships: instead, it creates space for them. 

The Opening festivities laid the foundation for why this event matters, and across the six hour-long educational sessions that followed, one realization consistently came to mind: This gathering isn't just about thoughtful content: first and foremost, it is about connection. Below are key highlights from each session, capturing the ideas and perspectives that will shape the industry today and in the future. 

Read to the whole article at BoF!

After a long search, BIFMA is please to announce that Ali Gillman will Join as the Marketing Communications Manager.

Ali has 10 years of experience as a multidisciplinary graphic designer, with a background in marketing for agency, corporate, nonprofit, and retail sectors. Her work blends strategic thinking with hands-on execution - whether she's building design systems, leading brand initiatives, or creating digital campaigns across platforms. Ali has a strong collaborative mindset, communication skills and passion for storytelling.

Ali holds a bachelors of fine arts with an emphasis in graphic design from Grand Valley State University. She volunteers her creative talents to Grand Rapids organization Pleasant Peninsula. She has one dog, deemed the fun aunt of four, and lives in Grand Rapids, MI. 

Read the full article by The Business of Furniture.

Kicking off the festivities was the ever-popular Speed Dining Dinner hosted on Monday evening after arrivals, registration, and the welcome reception. The event -- an ice breaker for both newbies and returning attendees -- provides the perfect opportunity to connect and catch up in a relaxed space over a three-course meal, which always helps fuel conversation.

Read the Article on BellowPress

The theme this year's conference was "Creative Curiosity" and a stellar lineup of speakers did not disappoint the record-setting number of more than 200 executives who came from virtually every notable furniture and textile manufacturer and a number of major suppliers. Leadership from design organizations such as IIDA and ASID attended as well, along with trade show organizers, technology partners and dealer groups.

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BIFMA's level certification for furniture provides much-needed clarity in a sea of sustainability standards and certifications.

In this episode of the "I Hear Design" podcast, host Robert Nieminen discusses the topic of specifying sustainable and healthy furniture, focusing on understanding various sustainability standards. He is joined by Steve Kooy, technical director for health and sustainability at BIFMA, who provides insights into the development and integration of these standards. Kooy explains the level certification program and its role in simplifying the process of identifying eco-friendly furniture, offering a clearer perspective for designers navigating the complex landscape of sustainability certifications.

Listen to the whole podcast on i+s!

Speakers at the conference offered practical advice and tools for attendees of all ages to navigate the changing industry. “As a first-time participant, I was struck by the combination of senior, experienced leaders and young professionals who are shaping the future of their businesses,” shares John Crosby, Vice President of Sales for Sandow Design Group. “That’s a sign that companies in the space are looking to try new things and get smarter about their businesses in the process.” From insights into the rise of AI and its implications for businesses to discussions on the preferences and behaviors of Generation Z, participants gained valuable perspectives on staying ahead of the curve.

One of the highlights of the event was the emphasis on fostering a culture of innovation within organizations. Industry leaders recognized that in an era of rapid change, experimentation and adaptability are essential for staying competitive. Nancy Giordano, CEO and Founder of PLAY BIG Inc., delivered the conference opening keynote, focusing on the mindset necessary to shape the future effectively. Her talk, which was titled "The Mindset We Need To Build The Future We Want," left a profound impression. As Crosby stated, "It struck me that manufacturing leaders have to adopt a future-focused mindset in order to stay ahead of competitors and be responsive to user needs. That’s got to be difficult when you’re in the business of factory-based production."

Throughout the conference, attendees were encouraged to challenge conventional thinking and explore new approaches to problem-solving. With the industry evolving at a brisk pace, the ability to innovate and experiment has become a cornerstone of success. As the conference came to a close, participants left with renewed inspiration and strategic insights to lead their companies and shape the future of the commercial interiors industry. The BIFMA 360 Leadership Conference exemplified the association's commitment to fostering collaboration, innovation, and excellence among its members, setting the stage for continued growth and advancement in the years to come.

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by Bryan Ballegeer, Education Market VP, KI

In November, I had the honor of joining the Monthly Learning Series hosted by BIFMA and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). 

During this event, I shared my expertise as a panelist for a virtual discussion on trends in education design, alongside Taneshia West Albert, assistant professor of interior design at Auburn University, and Suzanne Lefebvre, interior design discipline leader at CannonDesign.

Below, I outline a few takeaways from what we shared about how designers and schools are responding to everything from increased staff burnout to the rise of career and technical education.

Read the full article by KI

"When I was first assigned to cover the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association's 2024 360 Leadership Conference at The Ritz-Carlton last week in Sarasota, I wasn't sure what to expect—but the theme of "Experimental Excellence" was definitely an intriguing draw. Wondering how it would be defined and what it would entail was summed up in the three-day agenda with a host of events and seminars that made for a holistic experience about embracing the future and how best to prepare for it.

The roster of speakers was impressive and their inclusion of practical tips and tools for industry pros to ponder definitely answered the call for what members were hoping to get more intel on: technology and its impact. From rise of AI and insights on Generation Z to an outlook on the economy and the benefits of making big bets, there was a lot of process (in the best way possible)—so let's unpack what we can."

Read the full article by The Business of Furniture.

Have you ever wondered how AI will affect design? Perhaps economic risks and opportunities keep you up at night. What is the generational influence on the workplace? Or maybe you fret about big ideas and how to implement them.

All of those topics and more were covered at the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association 360° Leadership Conference, held last week in Sarasota, Fla. The event attracted nearly 200 executives from the commercial interiors industry who gather annually to explore big picture topics and how they might affect the workplace.

The topic of the 2024 BIFMA 360° was “Experimental Excellence” and challenged attendees to throw out preconceived notions about topics like AI and generation gaps to simply experiment more.

By all accounts (including my own after covering dozens of the BIFMA Leadership Conferences past), it was one of the most successful held. After several stunted BIFMA conferences due to COVID, the event drew its largest crowd ever.

Throughout the two-day event, industry executives learned how to create a cultural mindset needed to become an innovative organization. The industry is changing rapidly, and change isn’t so much a strategy as it is a necessity, said Dan Byrne, chief executive officer of Byrne Electrical Specialists and chairman of BIFMA’s Member Services Council.

“The event provides so much value to all of us,” he said. “Access to globally recognized thought leadership, time to exchange ideas, reconnect with friends and peers, and respite — time to take a time out, reflect on the issues today and find the path forward. It’s BIFMA’s goal that the content presented enables our members the strategic inspiration, tactical approaches to lead not only your companies but the industry for, as we say, each year, the future of the industry will be determined largely by the people that are in this room.”

The 360° Leadership Conference, scheduled for Jan. 22-24 in Sarasota, Fla., is about fostering communication among industry executives, but it is designed for those leaders to listen more than speak. The 360° Leadership Conference brings together industry executives with thought leaders and speakers from other sectors, providing a fresh look at common challenges and ideas for helping the office furniture industry move forward.

This year the theme — Experimental Excellence — continues to build upon the conversations BIFMA started at previous events, though new attendees will feel right at home at the event.

“Building off the 2023 360 Leadership Conference, focused on the ‘Future First,’ the 2024 conference paves the way through ‘Experimental Excellence,’” said Deirdre Jimenez, president and CEO of BIFMA. “Finding breakthrough innovation requires space and willingness to experiment in all areas of the business. This year we will cover topics from creating experimental space and mindset, exploring how Gen Z will change work, understanding and applying AI, CRE workplace strategies, right sizing experimentation for your organization, to the current economic framework.”

Read the full article "BIFMA 360° Leadership Conference set for Sarasota" by officeinsight!

Wherever you fall in the spectrum, one thing is certain: the great office debate is not ending in 2023. Leaders - including CHROs and CMOs - will need to balance the opportunities created by physical collaboration against some employees desire to work remotely for part of their work week.

How to Make Your Office Space Everything it Needs to Be

“Gen Z , or Zoomers as some fondly call them, will drive not only the evolution of the ‘office’ but also the evolution of ‘work’ for the next few decades,” said Deirdre Jimenez, President & CEO BIFMA (Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association).

Embrace the "Phygital" Experience

Gen Z's affinity for the digital world is undeniable, but it doesn't mean they want to abandon the physical realm. They seek a "phygital" experience—a seamless integration of physical and digital interactions. According to ThinkLab research, 78% of Gen Z feel they can work effectively without ever meeting in person. However, seemingly in contrast to that stat, 88% of the primary ways they forge new professional connections involve face to face experiences. Companies that can strike the right balance by leveraging technology to enhance in-person experiences are more likely to engage Gen Z employees effectively.

Cheryl S. Durst, International Interior Design Association Executive Vice President and CEO, said, “We are seeing workplace interior designers focus strongly on experiential design—creating not just a place for focused work, or collaboration, but true experiences that use technology to offer customization and adaptability.”

Read the whole article "Gen Z And The Great Office Debate Won’t End In 2023" by Forbes.com!

Think back to the last industry event you attended: What was the average age of the attendee? To put it mildly, the office furniture industry is aging. And BIFMA is working to help attract young people to the industry. The furniture trade group recently hosted a panel discussion, “Finding Your Future Within the Furniture Industry” to help young professionals discover some of the attractive careers available to them in the industry.

The panel, sponsored by BIFMA’s Young Professionals Subcommittee, was made up of young professionals in the industry who described how they are making an impact on the world through their work. The panel discussion focused on the opportunities and challenges in the furniture industry.

The panelists discussed the importance of networking, staying updated with industry trends, and fostering cross-functional collaboration. They also highlighted the need for a focus on human needs and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the industry. The panelists explained how the furniture industry offers a unique blend of innovative, creative, and diverse career options and is constantly evolving, making it an exciting and desirable field to work in.

Panelists included Rachel De Deyn, senior designer at Trellis; Navid Forootan, laboratory management and manufacturing engineer at Via Seating; Clara McDowell, associate brand manager, growth strategies at Crate & Barrel; and Maria VanDeman, workplace advisor and sales manager at OFS. The panel was moderated by Amy Edington, product manager for the North American commercial furniture market at Cyncly.

Edington said those new to the industry might only think of manufacturing or design as career paths, but there are many diverse roles young professionals might consider.

“I think being able to be a part of something that is impactful to everybody’s day is something really important,” she said. “I think it also gives you a variety of different career paths, whether that be project management or the sales and design process. There are many, many roles that encompass this entire industry to make sure that we are all successful.”

It is also an industry that allows for a diversity of career options. Edington, for example, began as an interior designer, but moved into technology. An interior designer might be called on to help with the sales process as well.

Many of the panelists were surprised by the complexity found in the furniture industry. Forootan has only been in the industry for a little over three years. He graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from University of Nevada-Reno and began as an intern at Via Seating. He became a full-time engineer and lab manager after he graduated.

Read the full article by OfficeInsight

Watch the event recording!

October 20, 2022 07:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wayfair Inc. (NYSE:W), one of the world’s largest destinations for the home, today announced its expanded Shop Sustainably offering, which allows shoppers to easily find sustainable products that adhere to a wide-variety of third-party certifications. With more than 50 third-party sustainability certifications to-date, Wayfair is home to the largest variety of sustainability certifications featured by a home retailer.

Customers can now shop more than 12,000 Shop Sustainably products on Wayfair and across Wayfair’s family of brands by filtering for categories such as water-efficient, nontoxic, cruelty-free, fair trade, and more. Wayfair has partnered with suppliers and trusted third-party certification bodies to enable customers to discover and shop products for their homes that meet sustainability requirements for one or more of over 50 sustainability certifications.

“At Wayfair, we are committed to advancing the sustainability of our supply chain, including responsible sourcing of our products,” shared Derek Oliver, Wayfair’s global head of Corporate Responsibility and Government Affairs. “We’re thrilled to partner with our suppliers and trusted certification bodies to enable our customers to easily identify and choose products that consider social, environmental, and health-related impacts in design, sourcing, and manufacturing.”

Shop Sustainably products are labeled in the product description on site to provide customers with information about the product’s sustainability certification. The offering spans furniture, décor, and appliances, including a multitude of furniture and building product-specific certifications such as LEVEL® BY BIFMA, FloorScore®, Green Squared®, MAS Certified Green®, and Indoor Advantage. Many of the certifications included in Shop Sustainably qualify for building rating systems, including LEED v4.1, BREEAM, WELL Building, and Living Building Challenge, allowing both homeowners and business professionals to shop Wayfair’s vast selection of third-party certified sustainable products for their home or business needs.

“We’re proud to have LEVEL by BIFMA recognized and featured by Shop Sustainably at Wayfair,” said Deirdre Jimenez, president and CEO of BIFMA. “LEVEL® was created exclusively for the furniture industry as a multi-attribute, comprehensive certification program that measures environmental, social, and sustainable practices across sourcing, manufacturing, and operations. Helping customers easily identify and shop for sustainable furniture products is a goal we both share.”

For more information about Shop Sustainably at Wayfair and product certification requirements, please visit aboutwayfair.com/shop-sustainably.

Early Wednesday morning, June 16, 2022, before the start of the last day of NeoCon, BIFMA members gathered in the presentation studio on the second floor of theMART for the industry association’s annual meeting. Held every year as NeoCon winds down, the meeting is an opportunity for exhibitors and other members to get out of their showrooms, do a little industry networking and then settle in for a report on the state of their industry association. BIFMA Board President, Jeff Lorenger, Chairman, President and CEO of HNI Corporation called the meeting to order and greeted the members in attendance. After brief remarks Mr. Lorenger turned the podium over to Deirdre Jimenez, President and CEO of BIFMA who gave a spirited report on the state of BIFMA after a couple of really unusual pandemic and semi-post pandemic years. Ms. Jimenez took over as the leader of BIFMA at the beginning of … continue reading by signing into your officeinsight account.

Closing out NeoCon 2022, the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association hosted a lively breakfast at theMART June 15. Brian Ramsey, founder of Making Way Services, ignited a conversation around embracing transition moments during the BIFMA event, noting that external forces inevitably impact organizational changes. His presentation, aptly called “Change Happens,” offered designers insights on why companies struggle with change and how to power through it. 

The new standard from BIFMA covers home office and occasional-use desk, table, and storage products.
May 19, 2022

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved the introduction of the safety and performance standard: ANSI/BIFMA X6.5-2022 Home Office and Occasional-Use Desk, Table and Storage Products.

The BIFMA Sub-Committees for Desks, Tables and Files worked diligently for the past three and one-half years to introduce this ANSI standard. This standard is a revision and redesignation of ANSI/SOHO S6.5-2008(R2013) Small Office / Home Office. The Sub-Committees began work in 2018 with an invitation to broad industry stakeholder participation to revise and redesignate ANSI/SOHO S6.5. The Sub-Committees revised ANSI/BIFMA X5.5 Desk and Table Standard in 2021 and used this standard and ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019 Storage Units as the basis for ANSI/BIFMA X6.5-2022 Home Office and Occasional-Use Desk, Table and Storage Products. Numerous participants worked on extensive reviews of the standard and many improvements have been achieved. There was special emphasis on the Stability, Leg Strength, and Height Adjustable Desk/Table Surfaces tests.

Several multi-stakeholder lab workshops were held in 2018 and 2019. In 2020 and 2021 the draft proposals were reviewed by the BIFMA Association and approved. Thanks to the hard work of the BIFMA Sub-Committees and diverse industry stakeholders, this national consensus standard was finalized and approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on April 5, 2022.

The timeline in revising this standard, both before and during the pandemic, provided timely insights that benefited the development of tests and requirements for products used in the home office. The Scope of ANSI/BIFMA X6.5-2022 includes the following: “This standard provides a common basis for evaluating the safety, durability and structural performance of home office and occasional-use desk, table and storage products.”

Copies of the new ANSI/BIFMA standard are available from BIFMA for members, and available from Techstreet for non-members.

Read the whole Facility Executive article here.

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The workplace is undergoing an era of substantive change, perhaps the most transformative period since the cubicle conquered the desk.

These unprecedented times provided a particularly opportune context for the BIFMA 360° Leadership Conference, the annual membership symposium hosted by the Business + Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association.

Rallying under the theme “Navigating Next,” top executives from leading commercial furniture manufacturers gathered January 17-19 at the Mandarin Oriental in Miami to exchange ideas and inspiration, hear from a compelling slate of speakers, and partake in numerous networking opportunities.

Following an arrival day that included a walking tour of Little Havana, welcome reception, and networking dinner, the official program began with opening remarks by OFS president and chief executive officer Hank Menke, outgoing chair of the BIFMA board of directors and chair of the organization’s Membership Services Council, who introduced incoming BIFMA board chair Jeff Lorenger, president and chief executive officer of HNI, and Deirdre Jimenez, president and chief executive officer of BIFMA.

The opening keynote by Peter Sheahan centered on an especially relevant topic—Turning Challenge into Opportunity & Change into Competitive Advantage—with the Karrikins Group founder telling the crowd, “An organization will only go commercially where its leaders first go personally.”

Other highlights of the three-day confab included a presentation on diversity and inclusion by Brainy HR Solutions managing partner Syrine Reese-Gaines, an economic forecast by Armada Corporate Intelligence director Dr. Chris Kuehl, and digital-acceleration presentation by McKinsey & Company senior partner Mark Patel, as well as a closing keynote address—Looking to the Future—by Outthinker Strategy Network founder Kaihan Krippendorff, who predicted, “Those who embrace the new strategic playbook with lead the future.”

But of course, it wouldn’t be BIFMA if designers didn’t get their due. And so, before heading off to a beachside reception, attendees wrapped up the first day of pertinent programming with “Design Trends 2022—Designer Perspective.”

American Society of Interior Designers chief executive officer Gary Wheeler. Photography courtesy of BIFMA.
The compelling panel discussion was moderated by design industry veteran Gary Wheeler, who serves as chief executive officer of the American Society of Interior Designers, who was joined by HOK regional leader of workplace Steven Burgos, DLR Group principal for higher education Gretchen Holy and AECOM senior vice president of interiors practice Brett Shwery.

Wheeler kicked off the conversation by emphasizing the need for collaboration and information sharing between industry members and sectors, then began querying the panel about their experiences with partnerships.

Holy described collaboration within and outside her firm as “collective intelligence,” and stressed the importance of creating equity in the workplace.  Burgos described the challenge of “reimagining the coming together” as lines blur with clients, and underlined the need for designers to share, to act like a council of advisors. Shwery concurred that learning from peers and sharing information, whether locally or globally, is critical to his firm’s success.

The panel also pointed to the challenge of attracting and retaining employees, which has led some firms to collaborate and share talent with other firms, as needed, on a project-by-project basis.

After reviewing BIFMA programs such as the multi-attribute LEVEL® sustainability certification and the upcoming chemical database initiative, Wheeler stressed that designers are hungry for more specifics on processes and materials from manufacturers to make the specification process easier. “We can’t do it without you,” he said. Shwery also underscored the need for transparency between designers and manufacturers, so that information can be clearly communicated to clients, adding, “We need help!”

BIFMA is responding. The new BIFMA Compliant Registry, launched in March 2021, is designed to assist designers and customers in specifying and sourcing furniture products that meet industry safety and performance standards. Similarly, the LEVEL® registry helps source furniture products meeting both environmental and social impact criteria.

When it comes to the day-to-day, the panel reported that clients want “design to do more,” and are requesting multifunctional spaces and furnishings that boost functionality. Wellness and sustainability remain critical issues. “Wellness is just intuitive for us now,” Shwery remarked, while mentioning the enduring importance of LEED and Gensler’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality.

As the conversation shifted to the impact of COVID-19, Holy maintained that the industry has been given “a great opportunity to observe” and learn how design will affect space and the people who use it. As Wheeler said in summary, “The door has not only been opened; it’s been blown off its hinges. Design has the opportunity to lead out of this pandemic.”

BIFMA’s post-conference survey elicited consistent and enthusiastic feedback from the attendees, revealing that 92 percent agreed or strongly agreed the information was beneficial and relevant, and 93 percent were satisfied or strongly satisfied with networking and socialization opportunities.

Respondents reported an “excellent experience” and “amazing venue” with “great energy and wonderful choice of topics.” Members were particularly taken with the “focused and impactful presentations,” with one remarking, “The speakers provided concrete suggestions I can implement quickly.” 

If you missed BIFMA 360° Leadership Conference 2022, save the date—next year’s edition is set for January 24-26, 2023.

The scene of this year’s BIFMA 360 ° Leadership Conference was the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Brickell Key, just over a short bridge from the Brickell neighborhood of Miami, FL. The conference is designed, in part, to give the leadership of our industry, largely based in the northern climes, a valid excuse to take a break from mid-winter weather. And the timing of this year’s conference proved to be pitch perfect. After braving travel problems caused by unusually nasty winter weather, attendees found the clear blue sky and breezy 70s temperatures of Miami most enjoyable.

While taking a break from winter may be a factor in planning when to hold the conference, it’s the content that makes it so rewarding for those of us who look forward to attending each year (well, save last year for obvious reasons). Even a year later, and despite all the recommended precautions being taken, given the weirdness of life in the COVID era, attendance was about half of the 2020 event.

The role of Chair of the BIFMA Board rotates among the members. Hank Menke, President and CEO of OFS has served a year longer than he expected when he agreed to take the position, so he opened the conference then quickly introduced Jeff Lorenger, President and CEO of HNI who then introduced Deirdre Jimenez, President and CEO of BIFMA.

At the 2020 conference, Tom Reardon who was the President and CEO of BIFMA at the time, announced his retirement and given the lockdown that followed the 2020 conference and the cancellation of the 2021 version, this was the first opportunity for many of us to meet Ms. Jimenez.

It’s hard to imagine a harder time to assume leadership of an industry trade association, which by its nature, involves keeping the disparate interests of the many members focused on moving the association forward. But Ms. Jimenez announced a remarkable body of work accomplished since she took the helm.

Over the years BIFMA has gained an international reputation for its excellent safety and durability standards; how many times have you heard something like, “this product passes BIFMA.”

The BIFMA e3 Sustainability Standard (Level®) is the gold standard of sustainability standards. It gives companies a path for continuous improvement toward more sustainable products, operations and social responsibility. And it’s 3rd party certification adds a layer of credibility. Ms. Jimenez announced that 2022 will see a further revision of the standard and this one will include cooperation with European manufacturers.

The need for a performance standard for outdoor furniture presented itself as we realized the importance of including outdoor space in workplace design. So too is the need for a standard for the increasing number of work pods hitting the market. Ms. Jimenez announced that standards for both those product types will be rolled out in the coming months, along with new ergonomic standards and new standards for cleaning and disinfecting.

The opening Keynote, “Turning Challenge into Opportunity and Change into Competitive Advantage” was delivered by Peter Sheehan, Founder of Karrikins Group. He described the uncharted waters in which businesses are operating right now, with rapid growth in demand that is complicated by issues with the supply chain, the war for talent and inflation.

He described a business environment with unprecedented change and turmoil, with greater than historic levels of consolidation occurring in many industries, new business models complicating the value chain, the “Amazonification” of customer expectations and businesses trying to deal with all this turmoil while employees are working remotely and new employees hard to come by.

Of course he didn’t just leave us hanging, he followed up with examples of how others have thrived and suggestions as to how you could turn these challenges into opportunity by identifying the place where you can create the most value. I won’t attempt to relate them here in a watered-down paraphrase. If getting answers to questions like these intrigues you, be sure to attend next year’s conference. Or buy his book from your local business bookstore: Matter by Peter Sheehan with Julie Williamson, PhD.

Back by popular demand at this year’s conference, Chris Kuehl, PhD in Economics and Managing Director of Armada Corporate Intelligence, has become the BIFMA Leadership Conference’s resident economist. Few speakers can put an audience to sleep quicker than an economist! But few economists could have been a stand-up comedian rather than an economist. Meet Chris Kuehl. He has a talent for presenting the economic facts and predictions in a straightforward and easy-to-understand way while lacing the facts with great funny quips. My favorite this year was, “COVID was started by Zoom.”

Among his “Bold Predictions for 2022” – GDP growth between 4% and 4.5%, Interest rates will rise to somewhere between 0.75% and 1.5% over the course of the year, and mortgage rates will rise to about 3.8% – 4.5%. He thinks unemployment will remain at near record low rates in the 3.7% to 3.9% range.

His most welcome prediction is that by the end of 2022 COVID will have transitioned from a pandemic to endemic, being seen more as a seasonal threat like the flu. With typical Chris Kuehl humor he said he hopes we forget his predictions because they’re sure to be wrong.

Mark Patel, a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and Leader of the consultancy’s Internet of Things (IoT) and digital business practice spoke on the “Digital Acceleration – Practical Models to Increase Pace & Impact.” He brought into focus how much business has changed due to the impact of digitization and outlined a set of actions –  “Must do’s,” and “Very important’s” –  for companies to adopt in order to avoid simply being left behind.

His six “Must do’s” are, 1.Performance guarantee (full refund), 2.Product availability online, 3.Ability to purchase from many channels, 4.Prices available online, 5. Real-time/always-on customer service and 6.Consistent brand experience across channels. Of course the must do’s follow changes in consumer behavior and expectations that are being driven by the digitization (or as Peter Sheehan called it the Amazonification) of the economy.

You may rightfully ask how he recommends doing all these “must do’s” – through digitization of course! He said it’s become clear that companies are  transforming their core and building new businesses by harnessing the power of data and AI. They are modernizing their core technologies by capitalizing on advances in those technologies to automate operations. They are also building digital talent in their organizations to create captivating brand experiences.

Mr. Patel wrapped up by discussing sustainability. He said sustainability has finally reached a tipping point – where companies will either get on board or be left behind. But he pointed out that the threat is only half the equation – there’s tremendous opportunity for those who recognize it. For example, McKinsey estimates that $3-5 Trillion will be invested in various “sustainability themes” across various industries between now and 2030.

He ended with what he believes are the sustainability priorities for BIFMA members: Sustainable sourcing and supply chain traceability, and Circularity and carbon neutrality

Gary Wheeler, CEO of ASID led a panel discussion among designers, Gretchen Holy, Principal at DLR, Steven Burgos, Director of Design at Gensler, Miami, and Brett Shwery, SVP Interiors Practice at AECOM. They discussed the trends and concerns they are seeing with their clients that will have an impact on the BIFMA members. It has become a key item on the BIFMA Conference agenda to hear the points of view of the design community; a trend we heartily endorse.

Maria VanDemen is the District Sales Manager for OFS in South Florida and the Caribbean. She spoke of an IIDA outreach program aiming to increase awareness of architecture and interior design as a potential career among minority middle school children. There’s a long way to go, as she reported that only 5% of interior designers identify as Black and only 3% identify as Hispanic.

Syrine Reese-Gaines, is the Founder and Managing Partner of Brainy HR Solutions. Her presentation, “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging – The Modernized Approach to Cultural Evolution & Organizational Success” made a compelling case for why it is in the self-interest of companies to be more inclusive. She also provided a DEIB Cultural Blueprint – a list of eight actions companies (and individuals, for that matter) can take to become more inclusive and equitable for all people.

The closing Keynote was delivered by Kaihan Krippendorff, Founder of the Outthinker Strategy Network. Mr. Krippendorff was an animated and inspiring speaker with way too much to say to pack it into an hour’s speech. So he made signed copies of his latest book, Out Think the Competition available to attendees. Perhaps the best way to give an idea of what he presented is to relate the subtitle of his book: “How Innovative Companies and Strategists see Options Others Ignore.”

I genuinely wish that all my friends could have been there, and recommend next year’s conference to anyone who can possibly attend. Watch officeinsight for announcements of timing and the line-up of speakers, starting in about October. It’s a fun and energizing experience. The BIFMA Board and staff do an incredible job of mixing worthwhile content with ample opportunities for networking with others in the industry.

No stranger to the BIFMA 360 state, an economic forecast was presented by Chris Kuehl, Managing Director or Armada Corporate Intelligence. Problems like the supply chain, the great resignation, and, of course, COVID have executives worried. Kuehl was cautiously optimistic about the coming year, though a few headwinds remain.

The webinar featured BIFMA Board of Directors Member and Chair & CEO of Neutral Posture Inc., Rebecca Boenigk, and BIFMA Board of Directors Member and President of Leggett & Platt Work Furniture Group, Kyle Williams speaking to the impact of the pandemic on their business and Industry 4.0 considerations for the commercial furniture industry.