RMA 2026 Regional Conference
Annual regional conference
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
to Thursday, September 10, 2026
The Omni Tempe Hotel at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona will host the RMA 2026 Annual Conference, Thriving in the Heat.
This year’s theme, “Thriving in the Heat,” reflects our commitment to sustainability, resilience, and innovative solutions for managing facilities in challenging environments. Join us in beautiful Tempe, Arizona, where we’ll share best practices, explore emerging trends, and build lasting professional connections.
Join us September 8-10, 2026 as educational facilities management leaders from across the Rocky Mountain Region will gather to participate in excellent educational sessions, panels, networking, and collaborations.
Thriving in the Heat · Tempe, AZ
See what's waiting for you at Omni Tempe at ASU
A quick welcome from the Rocky Mountain Region — the host hotel, the campus, and what to expect September 8–10.
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
RMA Member
|
$625.00 |
|
Business Partner Non-Sponsor
|
$1,750.00 |
|
RMA Non-Member
|
$1,200.00 |
|
Business Partner - Additional Attendee
|
$625.00 |
|
Companions
|
$110.00 |
|
RMA Board & Committee
|
$350.00 |
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Golf Tournament
|
$125.00 |
|
Add Another Player
|
$125.00 |
|
Rental Clubs
|
$50.00 |
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Saguaro (Platinum Sponsor)
|
$15,000.00 |
|
Prickly Pear (Gold Sponsor)
|
$10,000.00 |
|
Cholla (Silver Sponsor)
|
$7,500.00 |
|
Barrel Cactus (Bronze Sponsor)
|
$5,000.00 |
2026 RMA Conference – Details
Conference Schedule at a Glance
- RMA Board travel
- Conference registration open
- RMA Board meeting (all day)
- Conference registration open
- Travel day for some attendees
- Travel day for attendees
- Business Partner booth setup
- Activities and optional events
- First-Timer Meeting (evening)
- Welcome Reception, 6:00–9:00, Mullett Arena – ASU Campus
| Time | Track 1 | Track 2 | Campus Tour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00–8:00 | Breakfast | ||
| 8:00–9:30 | Opening Keynote – Molly Miller, ASU Women's Basketball Coach | ||
| 9:30–9:45 | Break | ||
| 9:45–10:30 |
Both Tracks
Beyond the Built Environment: A Panel Discussion on Leadership in Higher Education
Tim Smith, Vice President & Chief Facilities Officer, ASU
This panel brings together higher-ed facilities leaders to discuss evolving leadership roles, workforce development, and how technology and data are reshaping facilities organizations.
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| 10:30–11:00 | Tradeshow | ||
| 11:05–11:55 |
Track 1
Future of Buildings Using AI and Analytics
Justin Lawson, Bosch · Alex Kohnen, Vanderbilt University
|
Track 2
Strive to Thrive in the Heat – Overcoming Supply Chain Challenges with Client Direct Procurement
Caryn Becker, PE, Assoc. DBIA, SourceBlue, LLC
Explores how early procurement and client-direct sourcing strategies help universities mitigate supply chain risk, protect schedules, and control costs, drawing on case studies from Princeton, NYU, Harvard, Pace, and the University of Chicago.
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| 12:00–1:00 | Lunch / Tradeshow | ||
| 1:05–1:55 |
Track 1
AI Applications in Construction
Seth Beer, CORE Construction
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Track 2
From Campus Assets to CMMS Insight: Better Data for Smarter Facilities
Brian Carlin, PE, CBCP, CEM, Partner Engineering and Science, Inc.
Examines how high-quality, property-level asset data underpins effective CMMS performance, preventive maintenance, and capital planning across campus portfolios.
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|
| 2:05–2:55 |
Track 1
The Cost of Doing Nothing
Joshua Spear, NAU · Samuel Robertson, ASU · Jesse Pruitt, Pruitt Building Group
A fast-paced panel reframing deferred maintenance and risk decisions in financial terms, with practical frameworks and AI-assisted tools for building the business case for action.
|
Track 2
Laboratory Decommissioning: Managing Risk, Ensuring Safety, and Enabling Seamless Transitions
Kathryn Peacock, Strategic Director, Partner Engineering and Science, Inc.
A risk-based framework for decommissioning academic, research, and healthcare labs safely and in compliance, covering hazardous materials, timelines, and stakeholder coordination.
|
Student Life Building: Mill Avenue |
| 2:55–3:30 | Tradeshow | ||
| 3:30–4:20 |
Track 1
Achieving Building Electrification Without Increasing Electrical Demand
Ely William LaBerge, PE, CDP, LEED AP BD+C, Dewberry
Covers strategies for decarbonizing campus buildings and electrifying systems without increasing electrical demand, from mechanical controls to campus-wide thermal energy networks.
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Track 2
Fast Builds Fast Failures – In a World of Collaborative Project Delivery, Why Do Many Buildings Fail Shortly After Completion?
Gerard Lee, AIA, DBIA, LEED AP BD+C · Courtney Wladyka, AIA, NCARB, Fitwel Amb. · Rena Russ, AIA, LEED AP — Marx|Okubo Associates, Inc.
An interactive look at why newly built higher-ed buildings frequently experience construction defects and moisture intrusion, and how better delivery and forensic practices can prevent it.
|
Academic Building: University Gateway |
| Time | Track 1 | Track 2 | Track 3 | Campus Tour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00–8:00 | Breakfast | |||
| 8:00–8:55 |
Track 1
Practical, Actionable Strategies for Managing Facilities in Extreme Heat and Arid Environments
Chuck Hink, Director of Business Development, Pueblo Mechanical & Controls
|
Track 2
Decarb Through the Decades: The University of Denver's Journey to 2030 – Era by Era
Chad King & James Rosner, Johnson Controls · Lynn Bailey, University of Denver
Traces the University of Denver's decarbonization journey across five distinct eras of policy, funding, and institutional readiness on the path to its 2030 emissions goals.
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| 9:00–9:45 | Tradeshow | |||
| 9:45–10:35 |
Track 1
FCAs Are Just the Beginning: Turning Assessment Data into Action
Mike Harvey & Shaun Brown, Roth IAMS
Argues that Facility Condition Assessments only create value when integrated with maintenance and capital planning, offering a risk-based approach to prioritizing campus investment.
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Track 2
Recalibrating, Not Replacing: Turning Aging Buildings into High-Performance Assets
Rachel Green Rasmussen, AIA, NCARB, NOMA, Architekton · Todd Reust, PE, LEED AP, Affiliated Engineers, Inc. (AEI)
A case study of the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy showing how targeted, facilities-first renovations can outperform full system replacement in aging academic buildings.
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Track 3
Risk Management and Safety in Occupied Campuses
Matt Gilliland, CHASSE Building Team
Focuses on planning and field strategies for keeping construction work safe while campuses remain fully operational.
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|
| 10:40–11:35 |
Track 1
Building Connections for a Sustainable Future: Pathways to Securing Tomorrow's Workforce for Facilities Management
Alexandria Tannehill & Vimol Mitchell, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Details how a paid internship-to-apprenticeship pipeline and targeted investment helped one facilities department rebuild its skilled trades workforce after pandemic-era staffing losses.
|
Track 2
Designing an AI-Enabled Interdisciplinary Engineering Hub
Benjamin Strain, DLR Group · Steve Johnson, Colorado State University
Uses Colorado State University's Engineering Future Technologies Building to show how early, integrated AV/IT planning future-proofs AI makerspaces and prototyping labs.
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Utilities Building: Tempe District Utility Plant (TDUP) and Cold Storage | |
| 11:40–1:00 | Lunch / Tradeshow | |||
| 1:05–1:55 |
Track 1
ASU's Roofing Program – Best Practices and Lessons Learned
Billy Jackson, ASU · Tim Smith, ASU · Chris Walker, Progressive Roofing · Kirk Autio, PRIMO Data
|
Track 2
From Building Performance Standards to Business Case: RCx That Delivers ROI on Higher Ed Campuses
Ryan Shepherd, Colorado Mountain College · Michael Brubaker, PE, CEM, Colorado College · Matt Wakulchik, CEM, NABCEP, McKinstry
Shows how a utility-partnered retro-commissioning program can align incentives, reduce friction for owners, and sustain energy performance gains across a campus portfolio.
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| 2:05–2:55 |
Track 1
Retro-Commissioning a Medical Campus Chiller Plant: Restoring Efficiency Through Automation and Control Strategies
Erik Jeannette, PE, Iconergy
A case study of restoring a Denver medical campus chiller plant to peak efficiency through sequence optimization and automation, without capital equipment replacement.
|
Track 2
Zero Energy Case Study – U.S. Air Force Academy
Katie Willemarck, U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation · Amanda Occhi, PE, LEED AP BD+C & Corey Chinn, PE, CEM, CxA, CCP, LEED AP, Farnsworth Group · Kevin Gould, AIA & Christine Costa, RA, RTA Architects
Examines the design and delivery of a new zero-energy facility at the U.S. Air Force Academy, including geoexchange heat pumps, high-performance lighting, and rooftop solar.
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| 2:55–3:15 | Tradeshow / Break | |||
| 3:30–4:30 | Closing Keynote – Dr. Chris Howard, Chief Operating Officer at ASU | |||
| 6:00–8:00 | Awards Banquet | |||
Additional schedule details, session descriptions, and speaker information will be posted closer to the conference date.
- Travel day
Sponsorship OpportunitiesFlexible sponsorship options offer brand visibility throughout the event and meaningful engagement with the higher education facilities community. |
|
 |
$15,000 – Saguaro (Platinum Sponsorship)
|
 |
$10,000 – Prickly Pear (Gold Sponsorship)
|
 |
$7,500 – Cholla (Silver Sponsorship)
|
 |
$5,000 – Barrel Cactus (Bronze Sponsorship)
|
Conference Hotel
Stay steps from every session at the Omni Tempe
The Omni Tempe Hotel at Arizona State University overlooks Tempe Town Lake and sits on the edge of ASU's campus — every session, meal, and networking event is an elevator ride away.
$169Group rate, per night 6 miFrom PHX airport 15 minDrive from the airport
7 East University Drive
Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone reservations: 1-888-444-6664 (1-888-444-OMNI)
The group rate is available until August 7 or until the block sells out, whichever comes first. Rooms at this rate are limited — book early.
Getting Here
By Air
Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) is the closest major airport — 6 miles from the hotel, about a 15-minute drive. Served by Southwest, American, Delta, and United, with Valley Metro light rail connecting the airport directly to Tempe.
Ground Transportation
Several options from the airport:
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) — $15–20
- Taxi — $25–30
- Valley Metro Light Rail — $2
- Rental cars available on site at PHX
Parking
Driving in? Options at the Omni Tempe:
- Valet parking — $45/day
- Self-parking — $35/day
- Public lots nearby — $10–20/day
- Electric vehicle charging available
Questions about travel or lodging? Email rma@appa.org
RMA APPA Tuesday Morning Golf Tournament
Kick off your Tuesday with a round of golf at the beautiful Papago Golf Club in Phoenix! Join fellow attendees for a morning of friendly competition and networking on the course.
Location:
Papago Golf Club
5595 E. Karsten Way
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Check-In Begins:
6:30 AM
Shotgun Start:
7:30 AM
Registration Cost:
$125 per golfer
Club Rentals:
Available for $50 per set
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Daytime Activities
- Kayaking or Paddleboarding at Tempe Town Lake
- Pedal Boats at Tempe Town Lake
- Bike Rentals Around Tempe Town Lake
- Downtown Tempe Public Art & Murals
- Explore Papago Park & Hike to Hole-in-the-Rock
- Hike "A" Mountain (Hayden Butte Preserve)
- Tempe Center for the Arts
- Visit ASU Gammage (Frank Lloyd Wright architecture)
- ASU Art Museum
Coffee Shops
- Gio's Coffee & Café
- Press Coffee
- Proof Artisan Bread & Bakery
- Cartel Roasting Co.
- Infusion Coffee & Tea Crafters
- Snakes & Lattes
Evening Activities
- Mill Avenue restaurants, bars & nightlife
- Lucero Rooftop Lounge & Terrace
- Caffe Boa Bistro & Wine Bar
- Society Tempe
- Blue Sushi Sake Grill
- Top of the Rock Restaurant
- North Italia – Tempe
- Blanco Cocina + Cantina – Tempe
- Postino Annex / Postino Wine Café
- Social Hall Restaurant
Breweries
- Pedal Haus Brewery
- Four Peaks Brewing Company
- The Shop Beer Co.
- Fate Brewing Company
- Huss Brewing Co. Tempe Taproom
Worth the Short Drive (within 15 minutes)
- Desert Botanical Garden
- Phoenix Zoo
- Old Town Scottsdale
- Phoenix Art Museum
- Heard Museum