Swiss FM Day 2026
Putting People First: Swiss FM Day 2026 in Review
There’s something special about a room full of people who truly care about the spaces we work in. That energy filled the Papiersaal & Folium in Zurich on September 17, 2026, as the Facility Management community came together for the second edition of Swiss FM Day.
At the heart of it all was the Human-Centric Workplace: the idea that great spaces don’t just house people, they support them. Through keynotes, hands-on insights, and lively discussion, participants dug into what it really takes to create workplaces that foster well-being, inclusion, creativity, and performance.
What stayed with us wasn’t just the content, but the openness in the room, the way speakers, partners, and guests shared their knowledge and experience so generously. That spirit is what made the day what it was, and we at IFMA Switzerland are deeply grateful to everyone who brought it to life.
The conversations don’t end here. We look forward to continuing to connect and to shaping the future of Facility Management together at future events.
If you’d like to relive the day, have a look at the photos and videos we’ve captured from the event.
Speakers & Moderation
Yaël Meier
Co-Founder
Zeam
Dr. Matt Tucker
Director of Research
IFMA EMEA
Kati Barklund
Senior Manager, Workplace Strategy
Tenant & Partner – Performing Workplaces
Nicole Berchtold
Moderation
Joel Grolimund
Moderation
Prof. Dr. Lukas Windlinger Inversini
Lecturer, Head of Competence Group – FM: Business Administration & HR
IFM ZHAW, Wädenswil
Victor Eisen
Sales Director
CBRE GWS
Kinga Rycko
Business Unit Director East
CBRE GWS
Martin Bonny
Senior Consultant
Aremis
Adrien Rospabe
Head of Consulting
Aremis
Sandra Gauer
Expert in New Work, Architectural Psychology & Workplace Strategy
Gauer Consulting, Bern
Mona Hepp
Autism Specialist, Lecturer for External Training
Autismus Schweiz
Kira Bloem
Information Security Officer
Kanton Aargau
Björn Dirks
Manager Services
Planon
Stefan Landolt
Co-Founder & Product Manager
thingdust
Leonz Korner
Business Developer
thingdust
Malou von Gleichenstein
Co-Founder
SOA Soundarchitecture
Yagiz Öztürk
Student
IFM ZHAW
Mai Fritschi
Student
IFM ZHAW
Michael Bürki
Co-President
IFMA Schweiz
Thierry Huggler
Executive Board
IFMA Schweiz
Andrin Danhamer
Videograph
The Client Proof System
Dylan Gonzalez
Videograph
Schimmer Media
Kati Barklund
Senior Manager, Workplace Strategy
Tenant & Partner – Performing Workplaces
Prof. Dr. Lukas Windlinger Inversini
Lecturer, Head of Competence Group – FM: Business Administration & HR
IFM ZHAW, Wädenswil
Sandra Gauer
Expert in New Work, Architectural Psychology & Workplace Strategy
Gauer Consulting, Bern
Program
08:00 – 09:00 • GA IFMA Switzerland
(for members)
[Folium]
Shortened general assembly before Swiss FM Day.
08:30 – 09:50 • Admission and networking café
[Papiersaal]
Opportunity for networking/visiting exhibitors over coffee and croissants.
10:00 – 10:15 • Opening of Swiss FM Day 2026, Nicole Berchtold, Michael Bürki & Thierry Huggler
Opening of Swiss FM Day 2026
[Folium]
Welcome by Nicole Berchtold, moderator.
Introduction by Michael Bürki, Co-President IFMA Switzerland and Thierry Huggler, Executive Board IFMA Switzerland.
10:15 – 10:55 • Opening Keynote "FM Beyond Walls", Dr. Matt Tucker (EN)
Opening Keynote incl. Discussion
[Folium]
“FM Beyond Walls”: This presentation challenges FM professionals to look beyond organizational boundaries and consider the social realities of the communities that interact with, work in, and live around the facilities they manage. FM Beyond Walls reflects a shift in mindset: from FM as a purely operational discipline, to FM as a strategic contributor to place-based social value.
Dr. Matt Tucker, Director of Research, IFMA EMEA.
11:00 – 11:30 • "The next generation of office space concepts.", Prof. Dr. Lukas Windlinger Inversini (DE)
Presentation
[Folium]
The next generation of office space concepts. The further development of activity-based office concepts: sufficient, adaptive, inclusive, and team-oriented working environments.
Prof. Dr. Lukas Windlinger Inversini, IFM ZHAW, Wädenswil.
11:40 – 12:10 • Panel discussion - “Inclusive, inspiring, and productive working environments – what does that mean in concrete terms?” (DE)
Panel discussion
[Folium]
“Inclusive, inspiring, and productive working environments – what does that mean in concrete terms?”
With representatives from research and teaching, practice, FM, architecture, and HR, featuring Dr. Matt Tucker, Director of Research, IFMA EMEA, Prof. Dr. Lukas Windlinger Inversini, Sandra Gauer, Gauer Consulting, Mona Hepp, autismus schweiz, Kira Bloem, Canton of Aargau, and Nicole Berchtold, moderator.
12:15 – 13:20 • Networking Lunch
[Papiersaal]
Opportunity for networking/visiting exhibitors during a standing lunch.
13:35 – 13:50 • "From Operator to Enabler – How FM Creates Real User Experiences", Victor Eisen, Kinga Rycko, CBRE GWS, Gold-Partner (DE)
Presentation Gold-Partner CBRE
[Folium]
“From Operator to Enabler – How FM Creates Real User Experiences”
Facility Management is often perceived as purely operational, yet there is much more behind it. In this inspiring keynote, we show how FM becomes a strategic enabler and actively contributes to shaping work environments that genuinely support people.
Using a practical real-world example, we demonstrate how targeted FM interventions were able to deliver tangible improvements.
The focus is not on numbers, but on people and their experiences. Look forward to a shift in perspective that highlights how modern FM approaches create real added value and why Facility Management is now a decisive lever for business success.
Victor Eisen, Kinga Rycko, CBRE GWS
14:05 – 15:20 • Breakout Sessions 1-4
Interactive formats with short presentations, case studies, and group discussions, advance registration required, first come first served:
- Session 1: Presence Is a Lever – Not a Strategy, Aremis (EN): AI is transforming individual productivity, and hybrid work has changed where we work — but few organizations have redesigned how we work together. Organizations still reward physical presence while ignoring collective coordination, so the debate stays on “how many office days?” The remedy is to deliberately design fluid coordination, natural interaction and offices that truly support teamwork.
Moderated by Martin Bonny, Senior Consultant and Adrien Rospabe, Head of Consulting Aremis.
- Session 2: Autism spectrum in the workplace, autism switzerland (DE): Opportunities for innovation and teams. Exchange on specific tools and methods for making work environments more inclusive, diversity-friendly, and productive.
Moderated by Mona Hepp, autism switzerland.
Session 3: From Well-Building to Well-Being. Sensors, IoT & Sound Between Data Quality and Quality of Stay (DE): Unused office space is economically, environmentally, and socially unsustainable. Sensor data makes occupancy levels, vacancies, and usage patterns visible, providing the foundation for using space more efficiently while placing people at the center. Using real occupancy data, we demonstrate how much space is actually needed and identify opportunities for optimization. Innovative design approaches, such as sound architecture, play a key role in this process. In this way, data, optimization, and design work together to address the challenge of underutilized spaces by transforming them into vibrant, human-centered environments that enhance well-being and the quality of stay.
Moderated by Leonz Korner (thingdust) and Malou von Gleichenstein (SOA).- Session 4: Reverse panel with young professionals, IFM (DE):
Students share their expectations for the workplaces of the future. The “Senior Panel” responds to their perspectives, creating a dialogue among equals.
Moderated by Yagiz Öztürk & Mai Fritschi, students at IFM ZHAW.
15:35 – 15:50 • “Data-driven insights for people-centered work environments.”, Björn Dirks, Planon, Platin-Partner (DE)
Presentation Platinum Partner Planon
[Folium]
“Data-driven insights for people-centered work environments.”
How workplace data and intelligent analytics help promote well-being and collaboration and make spaces sustainable, flexible, and future proof.
Björn Dirks, Manager Services, Planon.
15:55 – 16:25 • Coffee break
[Papiersaal]
16:40 – 17:10 • "Workplace as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development", Kati Barklund (EN)
Presentation
[Folium]
Modern workplaces must address social, economic and environmental challenges. By creating inclusive, engaging spaces we strengthen culture, collaboration and innovation, improve safety and resource efficiency, and cut the environmental footprint of buildings. Sustainable workplaces therefore generate value for people, organisations, societies and the planet—and are no longer optional but essential. This presentation will explore the “what” and “how” of leveraging the workplace for sustainability, illustrated with client examples.
Kati Barklund, Senior Manager, Workplace Strategy, Tenant & Partner
17:15 – 17:45 • Closing Special Guest: "Gen Z in the workplace", Yaël Meier (DE)
Closing Special Guest – Interview
[Folium]
Gen Z in the workplace: expectations, values, and opportunities for facility management. What roles do new workplace concepts and sustainable interior design play in making an employer attractive to Gen Z? Opportunities for facility management: FM as a bridge between generations, innovation, and corporate culture.
Yaël Meier, Co-Founder ZEAM.
17:50 – 18:10 • Swiss FM Voice Award & Conclusion, Kati Barklund, Annett Fack, Joel Grolimund, Michael Bürki, Thierry Huggler (DE & EN)
Swiss FM Voice Award
[Folium]
Kati Barklund, Workplace Strategist & Change Manager and Annett Fack, Co-President of IFMA Switzerland.
Conclusion
[Folium]
Joel Grolimund, moderator, Michael Bürki, Co-President IFMA Switzerland and Thierry Huggler, Executive Board IFMA Switzerland.
18:10 – 20:00 • Apéro riche, closing event
[Papiersaal]
Opportunity for networking and strengthening contacts.
Short live interviews with speakers/partners for social media.
“Community Corners”: themed tables with community hosts.
Silver
Our Event-Partners
Boostbar is Switzerland’s modern refreshment solution...
From barista-quality coffee and fresh meals to snacks and refreshing beverages – available 24/7 and designed to suit every taste. Whether in offices, production facilities or public spaces, Boostbar stands for sustainable enjoyment and service that elevates everyday experiences.
CADMEC makes facility management data-driven –...
from strategy and foundations to FM support during planning and construction, all the way to digital process optimization. With Virtual Building (CDE/DMS/CAFM on Microsoft 365), we connect building, asset, and GIS data into a continuous, holistic lifecycle model.
Botirai is a Swiss technology company specializing in...
service robotics to enhance efficiency and address staffing challenges. They provide customized robotic solutions for sectors like cleaning, hospitality, logistics, healthcare, and education. In addition to supplying robots, Botirai offers support through consultation, installation, training, and maintenance, positioning itself as a trusted partner for businesses adapting to the evolving market.
sfb Bildungszentrum is a respected vocational school...
for technology and management, offering recognized Swiss qualifications. It emphasizes interactive, practical learning through a variety of courses for professionals in the machinery, electrical, and metal industries, enhancing skills and supporting the Swiss economy by preparing future specialists for the job market.
Dalux, founded in 2005 in Copenhagen by Bent and...
Torben Dalgaard, transforms the construction industry with intuitive digital solutions. The company offers user-friendly tools and a 3D-BIM visualization engine to improve project management and communication. Committed to sustainability, Dalux reduces paper use and enhances decision-making, serving clients in over 147 countries with quality solutions for the construction sector.
SOA is a pioneer in the field of sound architecture. The studio...
designs sound concepts for environments where people feel good. SOA collaborates with companies, brands, and institutions, guiding projects from analysis through conception to implementation. Studies show that sound can have a far-reaching impact on well-being, community, brand perception, productivity, and economic success.
CWS is a leading provider of sustainable hygiene solutions...
for businesses. Founded in Switzerland in 1954, the company has shaped hygiene standards through continuous innovation. Its tailored solutions ensure safety, comfort, and efficiency. With extensive experience and a full-service approach, CWS supports sustainable hygiene practices.