Conferences

By on June 28, 2022

Dates for the 2026 Conferences!

We’re pleased to announce that the 2026 MiAPPA Winter Conference will be hosted by Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI! 

The event is scheduled for Feb. 18-20, 2026, at the Radisson Plaza Hotel. Registration and hotel reservation information will be announced soon. 

Our theme for this conference is Lean Spaces, Vibrant Places

CALL FOR PROPOSALS – Deadline 12/15/25

Lean Spaces, Vibrant Places 

What is critical to achieving your mission? What changes impact your operation for the better? Share your success and best practices with over 250 active Michigan facilities professionals! We want to showcase what works in your operations! MiAPPA invites you to submit your proposal to share your best practices, innovative ideas, proven programs and projects with your facilities colleagues at the 2026 MiAPPA Winter Conference taking place at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo, MI. 

The deadline for proposal submissions is Monday, December 15, 2025 by 11:59 p.m. 

The conference theme is Lean Spaces, Vibrant Places: how facilities can be designed, maintained and operated to maximize functionality and resourcefulness, while still fostering engaging, dynamic and inclusive environments for learning, collaboration and growth.  

The focus of each presentation should relate to at least one of these four topics: 

  • Lean principles in facilities management, including streamlining operations, reducing waste and optimizing space usage. 
  • Innovative design strategies, including the creation of vibrant, welcoming spaces that support student success and staff well-being. 
  • Sustainability and stewardship that balances environmental responsibility with budget-conscious solutions. 
  • Technology integration using smart systems to enhance space efficiency and user experience. 

Priority will be given to submittals that include demonstrated successes (case studies) and innovations that offer inspiration and excellence in addressing key challenges. Proposals should showcase the portability of these successes. If you have a topic that will be of significant interest to the audience, but may not align exactly with the theme, you are still encouraged to submit your proposal for review.  

If you have any questions, please contact Laura Cornish by email at laura.cornish@wmich.edu.

  

Best regards, 

2026 MiAPPA Winter Conference Committee 

Summer MiAPPA hosted by Ferris State University and Grand Valley State University – June 3 – 5, 2026

Look for details on call for papers and hotels soon!

 

PAST CONFERENCES:

Boyne Highlands – Summer 2025 MiAPPA Conference Evolving Facilities: A Mountain of Change.

Summer MiAPPA Agenda

Presentation Slide Decks:
Optimize to Maximize – Smithgroup, Tricia Beck

Modeling Energy Conservation at Scale – Affiliated Engineers, Andrew Price

Michigan State University – Winter 2025 MiAPPA: Celebrating a Multi-Generational Campus. 

We would like to thank Michigan State for hosting the first Winter Conference since 2020! They did a great job. Below you will find some of the slide decks from the conference.

Agenda

Slide Decks by Tracks:

Track 1: Sustainable Infrastructure and Energy
Energy Efficiency: Where’s the Bang for your Buck?
Airflow Optimization for Decarbonization and Energy Efficiency
The First Step to Carbon Neutrality: Calculating Your Energy Efficiency
Avoiding Common Pitfalls with Heat Recovery Chiller Applications
Track 2: Innovative Campus Design and Planning
Harmonizing Spaces: Integrating Biophilic, Regenerative, and Universal Design to Promote Belonging
Designing with Input: Leveraging Stakeholder Feedback for Innovative University Learning Spaces
Leveraging Accreditation and University Alignment to Define Needs
WMU’s Mass Timber Adventure
Track 3: Facility Management and Operational Excellence
Custodial Department Evaluation
ASHRAE 62.1-2019 IAQP Made Simple
Michigan MEP Code Updates
The Old and the New
Track 4: Heritage Preservation and Modernization
Marygrove Conservancy: Maintenance and Upgrades Case Study
Bridging Eras: Preserving MSU’s Heritage While Building for the Future
Reimagining Existing Buildings
Harmonizing Heritage: Redesigning a Historic Music Building for Modern Education
Track 5: Friday Track
Campus-Wide Impact: How Innovative Project Delivery Strategies Can Influence Change
Leveraging Clear Goals to Enhancing Functionality, Identity, and the Student Experience
Revitalizing Campus Spaces: The Story of Secchia Piazza
Empowering a Multifaceted Team

2024 MiAPPA Boyne Highlands Presentation Slide Decks & Descriptions

Boyne Highlands Friday keynote by Jennifer Fields regarding Prevailing Wage is available for your  reference.

It has been requested that we post the past conference agendas for use in continuing education credits. They are listed below:

Accounting Facilities Forum

Future Proofing Outdoor Sports Complexes

Lean Into Unique Projects

The Power of GIS

The Whole Wall: Case Studies in Integrated Wall Systems

2023 MiAPPA Mackinac Island Presentation Slide Decks & Descriptions
Focused Renovations – Monroe CC
Physical Security in Higher Ed Environments – People Driven Technology
Putting the Fun in Project Closeout – MSU/Miller Davis
Understanding the Ins and Outs of Sustainability Reporting – GVSU/Nichols
“Where’s the Men’s Room?” TMP Architecture
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Your Campus – PBA

2022 MAPPA/MiAPPA Joint Conference

2022 MAPPA/MiAPPA Presentation slide decks & descriptions

Please note not all presentations have been received.

2022 SummerMiAPPA Conference

Please note that the presentation, 10-Year Implied Warranty on Public Bond Projects by Miller Canfield and Allana Buick & Bers, has a very strict copyright restriction with each slide stamped. No slide can be reproduced without the written permission of Karim Allana, Allana Buick & Bers and James Spurr, Miller Canfield.   

2019SummerMiappaConferenceAgenda

Winter 2019 MiAPPA Conference Agenda

2018 MiAPPA Summer Conference Agenda

Winter 2018 MiAPPA Conference Agenda 2.26.18

2017 MiAPPA Summer Conference Agenda

2017 Winter MiAPPA Agenda

Summer 2016 MiAPPA Conference

Winter 2016 MiAPPA Conference