The International Facility Managers Association (IFMA) has announced the creation of a new community of practice for professionals who manage facilities in the restaurant and food service industries. The Restaurant and Food Service Facility Managers Community, is the latest IFMA's special interest group, which are formed to unite members of specific industries not represented by IFMA councils.

"As more facility managers are being asked to manage outsourced food service, this community will provide them with a network to benchmark best practices and share experiences among their peers," said Matt Mundok of Innovative Hospitality Solutions. "The group will kick off with a webinar entitled "An Introduction to Sustainability in Food Service" presented by Christopher P. Hodges, P.E., CFM, IFMA Fellow, of Facility Engineering Associates, at 2:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, 19 Aug 2008.

"The initiative is a new one from IFMA HQ and is not something we have specifically considered in Hong Kong Chapter," explains Tony Garland, President, Hong Kong IFMA. However, the communities of practice range across locations as opposed to chapters or geographies, so Asian based members can also get involved with this new group.

The importance of food and beverage facilities should not be underestimated believes Garland, whose own organisation has five canteens in various facilities, "and are currently reviewing the suitability of the service they supply and how this may be improved." Besides facility managers (FMs) who have responsibility for food provision within their buildings, the Restaurant and Food Service Facility Managers Community may also help to engage professionals who don't see themselves as FMs.

"One group of people who may wish to get involved in this IFMA community are the managers working for the restaurant chains who control the leasing of premises, fit out and maintenance. They may belong to trade associations within the restaurant area but there could still benefit from working within IFMA," says Garland. RFP

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