April 27, 2026 — Multi-site facility managers (MSFMs) have unique and distinct job functions that differ from those of commercial/corporate, education or healthcare facility FMs. Retail stores, bank branches, chain restaurants and fast-food dining present contact with an unforgiving public that determines the success of a brand — often based on experiences in the venues.
Multi-site facilities management (MSFM) is at an inflection point. The buildings and spaces managed are smarter, more complex and more connected than ever before. AI, a key component of all the education sessions, is reshaping how FMs operate their buildings, according to Bill Yanek, CEO, ConnexFM, the Multi-Site Facilities Management Network. “Circularity mandates are redefining how facilities are designed and operated. The workforce responsible for it all is evolving just as rapidly, facing new skill demands, technologies and expectations from their organizations,” says Yanek.
I was fortunate to attend the ConnexFM 2026 conference and show in Orlando, April 20-22. Key observations across the standing-room-only education sessions largely consisted of how AI is applied to operations:
- Daily digital data impact is enormous, and MSFMs are exploring software tools, AI reporting, and more financial training to improve deliverables to upper management.
- Attendees explored how to use AI-driven dashboards to replace manual reporting, how to use predictive analytics to schedule maintenance before failure (moving past basic preventive schedules), and how to use machine learning to manage complex multi-site budgeting.
- MSFMs are embracing AI for its ability to streamline and customize predictive maintenance reports that used to take hours to compile across multiple platforms and reporting systems. One presenter said that because of AI, people feel like they are starting a new job after 25 years, but need to know that once their predictive maintenance reports prove trustworthy, there will be full adoption of AI’s use for this purpose
- Attendees were encouraged to be an AI leader or mentor for those who are not sure how to use it to do their MSFM jobs better
- Success now relies on executive communication — specifically, the ability to translate technical “pain points” (e.g., an aging HVAC unit) into financial “value propositions” (e.g., how replacing that unit reduces long-term operational risk and improves asset valuation).
As multi-site managers, their focus is always on scale of operations and using standards, whether they manage four or 400 locations. MSFMs embrace:
- Delivering a uniform customer or guest experience across dozens to hundreds of retail locations as an ongoing challenge and goal;
- Implementing “smart” systems that allow a central command center to monitor energy use across an entire portfolio. This included heavy discussions on autonomous maintenance systems and how to use drones and robotics to handle site inspections that are too costly or dangerous for human staff; and
- Growing internal talent and concerns around talent growth and recruitment of new MSFM professionals as a mission.
This conference was the most-attended event since 2018, with 180 multi-site companies and 600 new first-time attendees. The ConnexFM organization also has grown this past year, reporting 60 new FM companies. Across all membership types, there are 750 companies (including 26 new FM companies already in 2026) and membership figures over 3000. Roughly 52% of individual members are on the “Multi-Site FM” (facility management) side, while 47% are supplier or professional services providers.
See ConnexFM for upcoming opportunities to engage nationwide and future conferences and meetings.
