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Skedda was proud to attend and speak at WorkX 2025, the premier event bringing together real estate, facilities, and workplace leaders to shape the future of work. Held in Dallas, TX, this year’s conference centered around some of the most pressing challenges facing workplace decision-makers, including:
- The evolving role of facilities managers as strategic business partners
- Employee experience and how to create a frictionless workplace experience
- RTO strategies that balance flexibility and collaboration
- Supporting hybrid workplaces, with 78% of the WorkX audience reporting that at least half of their workforce attends the office 2-3 days a week
Organizations are rethinking how they manage office space, optimize real estate, and support dynamic work environments. These themes were front and center during our fireside chat, where Skedda’s SVP, Jenny Moebius, and Warner Music Group’s Vice President, Global Head of Facilities, Larry Charlip, explored how facilities managers are adapting to the modern workplace.
The Productivity Puzzle: What Role Does Facilities Play?
Productivity is often framed as a formula, but as Larry pointed out, there’s no one-size-fits-all equation. Instead, the real question is: What are facilities managers doing to create a space that enables productivity? It’s about providing a frictionless experience, one that supports employees whether they’re in a 20-person office or a 200-person hub.
The modern workplace isn’t about where work happens, it’s about the outcome. Amenities alone won’t bring employees back to the office, but they are essential in making time in the office worthwhile. Facilities teams need to focus on scalability, adaptability, and creating consistency across spaces.
78% of the WorkX audience report that at least half of their workforce attends the office 2-3 days a week.
Data-Driven Facilities Management
Historically, facilities management was not seen as a data-driven function, but that’s changed dramatically. Today, occupancy sensors, AI-driven tools, space utilization insights, and other workplace analytics are giving FM teams the insights they need to optimize space, manage resources, and improve the employee experience.
For example, by integrating desk booking systems, meeting room software, and food catering systems, FM leaders can better predict occupancy and make real-time adjustments. These tools are no longer just nice-to-haves—they’re essential for maintaining a workplace that is agile, efficient, and responsive to employee needs.
40% of FM leaders are set to retire in the next ten years.
Adding to this urgency, 40% of FM leaders are set to retire in the next ten years, making it critical to attract the next generation of talent. Modernizing facilities through technology and data-driven strategies isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about ensuring the long-term strength and relevance of the profession. For young professionals, an industry that embraces AI, automation, and smart workplace tools will be far more attractive and positioned for sustained success.
AI’s Role in the Future of Facilities
AI is often seen through the lens of extreme transformation, but in reality, it’s the next iteration of what facilities teams have been doing for years. Building Management Systems have been automating climate control and maintenance for decades. AI simply takes it further, helping teams with preventative maintenance, occupancy forecasting, and resource allocation.
The key takeaway? Small, incremental steps with AI will yield the biggest impact. Rather than overhauling entire systems overnight, FM leaders should focus on integrating AI gradually to enhance efficiency and decision-making.
The Intersection of Facilities, HR, and IT
Another crucial shift in facilities management is the blurring of lines between FM, HR, and IT. Hospitality has become a core part of facilities, but who defines what workplace hospitality looks like? Often, it falls under HR’s domain, but the reality is that facilities, HR, and IT must collaborate to create a workplace experience that meets the evolving expectations of employees.
From concierge-style services to workplace “champions” within each department, companies must take a cross-functional approach to defining and delivering hospitality in the workplace. Facilities teams are no longer just managing buildings—they’re shaping workplace culture.
What’s Next? The Future of Facilities Management
As the workplace continues to evolve, facilities leaders must embrace agility. Strategies and systems should be decoupled from rigid physical infrastructure, allowing organizations to pivot as workplace needs change.
Technology will continue to play a dominant role, but one thing remains clear: facilities management isn’t going anywhere. No matter how digital or automated workplaces become, organizations will always need strategic, people-focused facilities teams to create an environment where employees can thrive, connect, and be productive.
As the workplace landscape continues to shift, facilities leaders who embrace data, technology, and collaboration will be the ones driving the future of work.
Read the 2025 State of the Modern Workplace report for more on the evolution of facilities.
