Conference Programme
The full agenda from FM Today and Tomorrow 2026 — keynote, presentations and panels across the morning and afternoon at the Crowne Plaza, Santry on Wednesday 4 November 2026.
Hour by hour.
Keynote, presentations and panels across the morning and afternoon.
Introduction
Registration
Chair welcome
- Eileen Slamon, Property & FM Leader, Formerly LinkedIn & Bank of Ireland
The strategic rise of facilities management: from operational support to organisational influence
Facilities management has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade. Once viewed primarily as an operational function focused on buildings and services, FM is now playing an increasingly strategic role in organisational performance, workplace experience, sustainability and business resilience. This opening keynote will explore the forces driving that shift, from Covid and changing workplace expectations to technology, ESG and growing stakeholder demands. The session will set the scene for the day by examining how FM’s influence is expanding and what this means for the future of the profession.
- Áine Mulcahy, Managing Director, OCS Ireland
Design today, manage tomorrow: how building design shapes facilities management
The decisions made during building design and construction can shape facilities management for decades to come, influencing everything from maintenance access and equipment reliability to energy performance, operational costs and sustainability. This presentation explores why FM expertise needs to be brought into the conversation much earlier, ensuring buildings are designed not simply to look and perform well at handover, but to remain practical, adaptable and cost-effective throughout their operational life. It will examine how greater collaboration between designers, contractors and FM teams can improve maintainability, reduce lifecycle costs and ultimately create buildings that work better for the people who manage and use them.
- Alex Magee, Lecturer, Atlantic Technological University
Technology, AI and the intelligent workplace
Beyond automation: how AI, data and smart technologies are reshaping FM
From predictive maintenance and intelligent building systems to AI-assisted planning and operational analytics, technology is changing the way facilities are managed. This session will explore how leading organisations are using AI, IoT and data-driven insights to improve efficiency, optimise assets and enhance workplace performance. The presentation will separate practical reality from industry hype and examine where the greatest opportunities lie for FM leaders today.
- Conor Cleary, Technical Director, Tekifi
From smart buildings to smart decisions: what will technology mean for FM?
Technology promises significant benefits, but how far can automation go in a people-focused profession? This panel will explore the real-world impact of AI and digitalisation, the challenges of implementation, data governance, cybersecurity and the skills FM teams will need to thrive in an increasingly connected environment. Panellists will discuss how technology can support better decision-making while ensuring that human expertise remains at the centre of the workplace experience.
- Moderated by Eileen Slamon, Property & FM Leader, Formerly LinkedIn & Bank of Ireland
- Stuart McIntosh, Managing Director, Walkair Ireland
- Julie Nicholson, Bid Director, Bidvest Noonan
- Patrick Crawford, Business Development Manager, SOS Group
- Fionnuala Byrne, GM, Real Estate & Workplace Services, EMEA, Google
Refreshment break
Workplace experience and the future of work
Creating workplaces people want to use
The role of the workplace has fundamentally changed. In a world of hybrid working, organisations can no longer assume that employees will automatically come into the office. This session will explore how workplace expectations have evolved and what organisations are doing to create environments that foster collaboration, culture, wellbeing and productivity. From hospitality-inspired services to smarter space utilisation, the presentation will examine how FM is helping shape the future workplace experience.
- Narcisa Popovici, HR Director, Aura Holohan Group
What is the purpose of the office today?
As organisations continue to navigate hybrid working models, questions remain about the role of the office, employee expectations and the value of in-person collaboration. This panel will discuss the challenges and opportunities of the modern workplace, exploring how organisations can balance flexibility with culture, support employee wellbeing and create spaces that people actively choose to use. The discussion will consider whether the workplace is evolving from a place of work into a destination for collaboration, connection and innovation.
- Moderated by Eileen Slamon, Property & FM Leader, Formerly LinkedIn & Bank of Ireland
- John Cunniffe, Head of Operations and Facilities, Maples Group
- Mary Banks, Office Facilities Manager, Tirlán
- Maeve Boland, Facility Manager, Gilead Sciences Ireland
Lunch break
Leadership, talent and skills in an age of change
From service delivery to strategic partnership: the changing role of the FM leader
Client expectations of FM are changing — and so is the role of those leading its delivery. This session explores how FM leaders can move beyond managing contracts and services to become trusted partners who understand organisational priorities, anticipate needs and influence decisions.
- Ronan McDonnell, Operations Director, SOS Group
Leading through uncertainty: the future of facilities management
Bringing together senior FM leaders and award-winning practitioners, this headline discussion will explore the biggest opportunities and challenges facing the profession over the next five years. Topics will include AI and technology, workplace transformation, sustainability, talent and skills, regulation, stakeholder expectations and organisational resilience. The panel will provide strategic insights from leaders at the forefront of the profession and examine what successful FM leadership will look like in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing environment.
- Moderated by Eileen Slamon, Property & FM Leader, Formerly LinkedIn & Bank of Ireland
- Gar Holohan, Founder and Executive Chairman, Aura Holohan Group
- John Smith, Sustainable Infrastructure and Facilities Manager, An Post
- Vincent Hickey, Director, Aramark Property
- Conor Cooney, Workplace and FM Consultant, Arup
- Fionnuala Byrne, GM, Real Estate & Workplace Services, EMEA, Google