Get ready for an unparalleled experience at Elevate 2026, where facility leaders unite to innovate, learn, and collaborate. This immersive two-day event in the heart of Boston will equip you with the tools, connections, and insights to transform your facilities and accelerate your career. Join us to engage in dynamic panels and sessions with top industry leaders and gain actionable takeaways, all while expanding your professional network.
Early Bird Rates Extended—secure your spot by June 7th!
2025 Agenda
Schedule Snapshot
3:00 PM -Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Boston Red Sox Fenway ParkStep inside one of America's most legendary sports venues for an unforgettable behind-the-scenes experience. Led by Red Sox Director of Facilities and 30-year industry veteran Donnie Gardner, this hour-plus tour will explore the inner workings of Fenway Park from an operations and sustainability lens.
Go beyond the stands to see how the team maintains and evolves a 100-year-old ballpark while preserving its iconic status and meeting modern expectations.
What you'll experience:
Rare access to behind-the-scenes operational areas of Fenway Park
Insight into real-world challenges like aging infrastructure and sustainability
Lessons and stories from decades of hands-on facility leadership
A guided walk through iconic features and hidden gems of the ballpark
Meeting & Parking Details:
Shuttle Pickup (Hotel Guests): 2:15 PM - Meet in the hotel lobby to pick up your badge and board the shuttle to Fenway Park.
Local Attendees: Please arrive at Fenway Park Gate D (Jersey Street) by 3:00 PM.
Parking: Attendees driving themselves may park at the Van Ness Garage, located near Fenway Park.
5:00 PM -Networking ReceptionJoin us at ezCater's Headquarters, 40 Water St, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02109, for drinks, light bites, and great conversation with fellow attendees.
Parking near ezCater: We recommend using the SpotHero App to compare rates. Nearby garages include 33 Arch St Garage, Devonshire Garage (complimentary valet), and Pi Alley Garage.
Public Transit Options:
Orange Line: State St (closest), Downtown Crossing
The Elevate event was very impressive. I love the event space, the tour, the individuals in attendance, and the intimacy of the event. It really gave us all a chance to connect and share ideas.
—Brian Martin, Deputy Program Director of Capital & Facilities PMO at Chicago Public Schools
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It was valuable for me to compare and benchmark how others are dealing with challenges.
—Doug Pearson, Associate Vice President of Facilities Planning and Operations at Kent State University
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The speakers were excellent. I was looking to gain greater insight into strategies being used by solid and proven organizations and individuals to help guide us as our organization moves forward. The insight into how McDonald's manages its construction and design was fascinating, as was the GSA presentation.
—Brian Martin, Deputy Program Director of Capital & Facilities PMO at Chicago Public Schools
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I love listening to topics that are affecting my facilities world/day to day.
—Edia Lamboy, Facility Manager/IFMA Chicago Chapter Membership of Blackrock
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The time spent was incredibly valuable - it not only broadened my knowledge, but it broadened my network which I've come to rely on heavily.
—Scott Wollenzien, Senior Director, Facilities Construction and Operations, Northwestern Mutual
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Sessions
Explore a variety of engaging topics led by industry experts. These interactive sessions will offer fresh perspectives and equip you with actionable insights you can apply immediately.
Keynote Session 1:
Boston's First Large Fossil-Fuel-Free Carbon-Neutral Building: A Case Study in Sustainable Innovation
8:45 AM–9:30 AM
Boston University's Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences is a game-changer in sustainable building design and operations. At 19 stories tall and spanning 345,000 square feet, it's one of the largest fossil-fuel-free, carbon-neutral building in Boston.
In this insightful case study session, Dennis Carlberg, Chief Sustainability Officer at Boston University, will discuss the university's Climate Action Plan and share how this LEED Platinum facility is setting new standards for energy efficiency with its use of geothermal ground source heat pumps, heat recovery wheels, active chilled beams, electric backup boilers and chillers, and much more.
SpeakerDennis Carlberg, Chief Sustainability Officer, Boston University
Small Group Discussions
9:45 AM–10:30 AM
Take part in focused, small group discussions on some of the most pressing topics in facilities management today. This collaborative format encourages you to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and share strategies on key challenges and opportunities. Topics include:
Outsourcing: When Does It Make Sense
Capital Planning: Determining Project Priorities
Emerging Tech Opportunities: AI, Autonomous and Automation
Staff Development: Creating Facility Career Trajectories
Advisory Board Panel:
Cultivate the Next Generation of Facility Leaders
10:45 AM–11:45 AM
Facility departments all across the United States are struggling to find qualified candidates to join their teams. A recent survey shows that 84 percent of facility leaders have a vacancy they are trying to fill.
In this competitive labor market, it's getting increasingly difficult to attract workers to the facility management industry. From trades positions to the C-suite, there are vacancies all across departments. This problem will likely only get worse as 30 percent of facility professionals plan on retiring in the next five years.
In this panel discussion, the Elevate Advisory Board will share proven strategies for developing talent for today, but also for the future. Attendees will learn best practices for attracting skilled professionals, fostering leadership potential within their teams, and creating a succession plan that ensures a smooth transition and organizational stability.
PanelistsClarence Carson, State of Illinois Doug Diaz, Clark County Schools Richie Stever, University of Maryland Medical System Frank David Rhodes II, Benchmark Senior Living
Keynote Session 2:
Unlocking Capital: Strategies for Funding Facility Improvements
12:45 PM–1:30 PM
Facility management is typically seen as an expense and the less spent on it, the better. Budgets are never big enough and the lack of money holds up progress on many capital improvements. Hear how Warren County Public Schools, Kentucky's fastest growing school district, is finding the needed resources for its energy initiatives through a process known as "stacking."
With future federal grants in question, facility executives will need extra help in securing funding. Some of the common fund stacking mechanisms that all types of facilities can use to see a project through include local bonds or levies; state matching funds; utility incentives; securing low-interest loans; applying for grants; power purchase agreements; energy savings performance contract (ESPCs); and creativity, which can involve a combination of all the options presented.
As both a Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Chris McIntyre will provide an intriguing perspective on how facility executives can talk to their C-suite about budgets get the needed dollars for both deferred maintenance and future improvements.
SpeakerChris McIntyre, CFO/COO/Treasurer & Construction Supervisor, Warren County Public Schools
Co-SpeakerKelly Mrsic, Managing Director, Public Finance Banker, Baird
Roundtable
Peer Problems Live
1:30 PM–2:30 PM
An interactive session where attendees share their biggest challenges and collaborate on peer-driven solutions, leaving with practical ideas to apply right away.
Keynote Session 3:
Smarter Facilities: Leveraging AI, IoT, and Automation to Shape the Future of FM
2:45 PM–3:30 PM
Facility management is evolving rapidly, with artificial intelligence and automation becoming integral to every aspect of operations. This session delves into how technologies like AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), smart building systems, and autonomous equipment are revolutionizing the way facilities are run, maintained, and optimized.
Join Shawn Black, Building Operating Management Facility Influencer and co-host of the Decoded Podcast, for a dynamic Fireside Chat with Chief Editor Dan Weltin. Together, they'll unpack the transformative potential of these technologies and how they're driving improved efficiency, lower operational costs, and a better experience for building occupants.
Whether you're beginning your data journey or scaling sophisticated systems, this conversation will offer practical insights and a clear look at what's possible today—and what's next for the industry.
SpeakerShawn Black, Executive Vice President of Business Development, JDECFS
Speakers
2025 Advisory Board
Clarence Carson
Senior Infrastructure Advisor, State of Illinois
Building Operating Management Facility Influencer
Douglas (Doug) Diaz
Director of Facilities Optimization
Clark County School District
Richie Stever
Vice President of Real Estate and Construction
University of Maryland Medical System
Frank David Rhodes II
Senior Director of CapEx & Facilities
Benchmark Senior Living
Keynote Speakers
Shawn Black
Executive Vice President of Business Development, JDECFS
Chris McIntyre
CFO/COO/Treasurer & Construction Supervisor
Warren County Public Schools
Dennis Carlberg
Chief Sustainability Officer
Boston University
Kelly Mrsic
Managing Director, Public Finance Banker
Baird
Venue
Day 1 - Fenway Park Tour & Networking Reception
Locations & Times:
Fenway Park Tour: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM | 4 Yawkey Way, Boston, MA 02215, Gate D (Jersey Street)
Networking Reception at ezCater: 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | 40 Water St, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02109
For Hotel Attendees (Omni Parker House):
A shuttle will transport attendees from Omni Parker House to Fenway Park for the tour and then to the Networking Reception at ezCater (40 Water St, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02109).
Shuttle Pickup: Meet at 2:15 PM in hotel lobby to pick up badge and load shuttle
Hotel Parking:
Valet Parking: $70 overnight (additional fees may apply for late pick-up)
Function/Event Parking: $40-$50 before or after 5 PM
One Beacon Street Garage - 1 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108 | (617) 263-0401
Make the Most of Your Stay in Boston
After Elevate 2026, take the opportunity to experience more of Boston—a city rich in history, culture, and world-class dining. With your time in Boston only just beginning, here are a few ways to make the most of your extended stay.
Walk the Freedom Trail — Discover 2.5 miles of iconic historical landmarks.
Explore the Seaport District — Enjoy waterfront dining, upscale bars, and stunning city views.
Relax at Boston Common — Unwind in the oldest public park in the United States.
Dine in the North End — Indulge in authentic Italian cuisine in this historic neighborhood.
Attend a Show or Concert — Experience Boston's vibrant arts scene, from Broadway to local performances.
Take a few extra days to enjoy all that Boston has to offer. Extend your visit and immerse yourself in a city that blends history, modernity, and cultural charm.
Registration
Who Should Attend?
Elevate is designed for senior-level professionals and decision-makers in facilities management. If you're looking to advance your career, stay at the forefront of industry trends, and connect with fellow leaders, this event is for you.
Senior leaders and executives overseeing facilities management
Directors and senior managers responsible for facility operations
Professionals involved in strategic decision-making for facilities services
Corporate real estate and facilities managers
Leaders in charge of facility planning and construction
Those focused on improving facility efficiency, safety, and sustainability
Education (K-12, Secondary)
Medical and Healthcare
Commercial Real Estate
Government
Industrial and Manufacturing
Hospitality
Past Registrants:
2025 Sponsors:
Gold Sponsor:
Food and Networking Sponsor:
Nexa by Watts
Nexa is an intelligent water management platform that combines hardware, software, and expert support reduce risk, improve efficiency, and protect asset value in commercial and multifamily properties and campuses. By combining real-time analytics, automation, and alerts, Nexa empowers facilities teams to proactively manage water systems, minimize costly disruptions, and achieve sustainability goals, delivering measurable impact across portfolios.
Meet our Company Representative
Andrew Augustyniak
Digital Sales Manager
Watts Water Technologies
Walker Blue
Walker Blue is a leading energy engineering and specialty tax consulting firm formed through the merger of Walker Reid Strategies and Blue Energy Group. We deliver innovative solutions in energy modeling, audits, retrocommissioning, and compliance, while helping clients capture valuable tax incentives such as §179D, §45L, and ITC. Our team partners with universities, corporations, and municipalities to reduce costs, enhance sustainability, and meet regulatory requirements through precise, cost-effective reporting and tailored energy strategies that maximize long-term value.
Meet our Company Representative
Weston Lustig
Director of Business Development
Walker Blue
ezCater
ezCater is the #1 food tech platform for workplaces in the US. The company makes it easy for any organization to manage its food needs and order from over 100,000 restaurants nationwide. For workplaces, ezCater provides flexible and scalable solutions for everything from recurring employee meals to one-off meetings, all backed by beyond helpful 24/7 service and business-grade reliability. For restaurant partners, ezCater helps grow their business by bringing them more orders and new high-value customers.
Jack Harvey
Relish Manager
ezCater
Stuart Martinez
Senior UX Researcher
ezCater
CPower
CPower Energy is a leading Virtual Power Plant platform, monetizing the value of customer-sited energy to intelligently strengthen the grid. For over a decade, we've made turning flexible energy into revenue simple for partners and large energy users such as businesses, manufacturers, public institutions, and healthcare organizations, delivering over $1.2 billion from demand response and energy flexibility programs to customers since 2015. With 6.7 GW of customer capacity across more than 23,000 sites, we're empowering energy users across North America, enabling them to benefit from an innovative energy economy.
Meet our Company Representative
Jeff Wall
Director of Sales, Northeast
CPower Energy
Registration Includes:
Interactive Agenda: A thoughtfully curated program designed to elevate your insights and expand your professional network.
Fenway Park Tour: A behind-the-scenes look at the iconic Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, featuring insights from the Director of Facilities on the unique challenges and operations of managing this historic venue. Reception to follow.
Networking with Industry Leaders: Connect with experts and peers in dedicated sessions for meaningful conversations and collaborations.
Gourmet Breakfast & Lunch: Delicious meals to fuel you throughout the day.
All-Day Coffee, Beverage, & Snack Service: Complimentary coffee, beverages, and snacks available throughout the event.
Closing Reception: Wrap up the event with drinks, networking, and a final opportunity to connect with fellow attendees.
Standard Registration: $599
Social Media Highlight
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Clarence Carson
Senior Infrastructure Advisor, State of Illinois
Building Operating Management Facility Influencer
Carson is a well-rounded and resourceful facilities, construction and real estate development professional with a demonstrated history of working in a variety of industries, including commercial real estate, K-12 schools, government, healthcare, higher education and more at both the project and executive levels. He is currently Senior Infrastructure Advisor for the State of Illinois, as well as president of CCRS, a Chicago-based project management and construction consulting firm. He formerly served as the chief facilities officer for Chicago Public Schools.
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Douglas (Doug) Diaz
Director of Facilities Optimization
Clark County School District
Diaz oversees the district's 378 schools and 40 administrative sites, supporting 300,000 students and 42,000 staff members throughout Clark County, Las Vegas. He has held the position since March 2020 and has given more than 25 years to public service in combination with the district and the City of Henderson, including roles as operations manager, construction supervisor and building engineer supervisor. He is a 2026 recipient of the Facility Champion Award.
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Richie Stever
Vice President of Real Estate and Construction
University of Maryland Medical System
Stever oversees facilities operations across 12 hospitals for UMMS. His responsibilities include managing real estate, directing construction projects, handling property management, and spearheading sustainability initiatives. He holds a Master's in Healthcare Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Stever is a Senior member of the American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) and is the past chair of the ASHE Member Tools Committee (MTC).
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Frank David Rhodes II
Senior Director of CapEx & Facilities
Benchmark Senior Living
Rhodes II is an accomplished facilities executive with over 15 years of experience. He is the senior director of capital expenditures and facilities for Benchmar Senior Living. Prior to this he was responsible for engineering and facilities management for 113 hotel properties in the Northeast for Marriott International. Frank has a proven track record of overseeing large-scale property portfolios, developing, and implementing strategic initiatives, optimizing operational efficiency, and driving sustainability within complex environments. He is also active in IFMA, serving as the Immediate Past President of the Boston Chapter.
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Shawn Black
Executive Vice President of Business Development, JDECFS
As a seasoned professional with almost 30 years of experience in leadership, coaching, speaking, business development, and facility maintenance, Shawn Black has dedicated his career to helping businesses and individuals reach their full potential. As a John Maxwell leadership coach, he has guided and inspired countless individuals and teams to achieve their goals and create positive change in the world.
Black is a Building Operating Management Facility Influencer, known for translating complex strategies into clear, actionable moves — combining sharp operational thinking with a deep understanding of human behavior.
As co-host of the new Decoded Podcast, Black shares expertise and insights about growing and living with purpose. He is passionate about using the platform to educate and inspire others to achieve success and make a positive impact in their communities.
In addition to leadership and coaching, he has played a pivotal role in amplifying brand recognition, expanding market share, and increasing sales figures as a Regional Vice President of Business Development.
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Chris McIntyre
CFO/COO/Treasurer & Construction Supervisor
Warren County Public Schools
Christopher C. McIntyre, CPA, CSFO, CGMA began his career with Warren County (KY) Public Schools in June 2005. He was promoted to Director of Finance in 2007 and CFO/Treasure in February 2015 whereby he assumed the responsibilities of Director of Finance and CFO/Treasurer along with facilities and construction. As of July 2023, he too absorbed the role of Chief Operations Officer in addition to his other duties.
Prior to his tenure at Warren County Public Schools, McIntyre spent nine years in the banking industry whereby he was the CFO of two federal savings banks and asset liability manager and financial analyst for a five-bank holding company managing assets exceeding $1B.
In addition to his "day job," McIntyre currently serves on the Kentucky State Board of Accountancy (appointed by the Governor), Kentucky School Board Association's Unemployment Program Board of Trustees, and the Warren County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
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Dennis Carlberg
Chief Sustainability Officer
Boston University
Dennis Carlberg is the Chief Sustainability Officer & Associate Vice President for Climate Action at Boston University where he focuses on building the programs necessary for mitigating BU's impacts on climate change, preparing its campuses for climate change, and supporting the integration of sustainability into the curriculum. Prior to joining BU in 2009, Dennis was a principal at Arrowstreet, a Boston-based architectural firm where he focused on sustainable design. He began his career at the Solar Energy Research Institute (now the National Renewable Energy Lab) conducting daylighting research to reduce building energy consumption and improve the indoor environment.
Dennis co-chairs the Boston Green Ribbon Commission Higher Ed Working Group. He is the University's Liaison to the University Climate Change Coalition, a group of 23 of leading R1 research universities committed to accelerating climate action on their campuses, in their communities, and collaboratively at a global scale.
He received his Master of Architecture from MIT and his Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from UC Berkeley.
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Kelly Mrsic
Managing Director, Public Finance Banker
Baird
Kelly Mrsic, Managing Director, currently serves as a municipal advisor for Bairds Kentucky and Michigan Public Finance teams. Kelly is responsible for assisting municipal issuers fund various capital projects through debt offerings. Kelly started her career in Public Finance at Hilliard Lyons as a structuring analyst in January 2012. While at Hillard Lyons, Kelly transitioned to a lead advisor in December 2015. Kelly and her Kentucky team joined Baird in April 2019 following Baird's acquisition of Hillard Lyons. In 2024, Kelly was asked to lead Baird's Michigan Public Finance office in addition to covering the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
During her tenure, Kelly has advised on over $10 billion of borrowings, including state-level transactions, higher education issues and local government borrowings issued by cities, counties, school districts, public utilities, and special taxing districts. Kelly and her team specialize in complex financings that require additional attention to detail and more in-depth strategies. As lead advisor, Kelly has demonstrated expertise and leadership for helping clients maximize their revenue available for projects, while managing credit pressures and relationships with the rating agencies.
Kelly resides in Louisville, Kentucky, with her husband, Alen, and daughter, Laney.
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Hotel Information
Omni Parker House Hotel
Our discounted room block has closed.
60 School Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
Only a 3 minute walk to Convene One Boston Place
If you still need accommodations, you may contact the hotel directly to check current availability and rates.
