Audience

The ERAPPA conference attracts approximately 500 attendees, including facilities professionals from educational institutions throughout the northeastern United States and eastern Canada, as well as business partners supporting the APPA mission. We seek presentation ideas that address the needs of both U.S. and Canadian members.

Theme

The ERAPPA 2027 conference theme is “Channeling Rapid Change.” Set against the powerful backdrop of Niagara Falls, the theme reflects both the force of change and the opportunity to channel it with purpose. Just as the Niagara River’s immense energy has shaped the region, educational facilities professionals are harnessing new ideas, technologies, partnerships, and practices to navigate disruption and create stronger, more resilient campuses. ERAPPA 2027 invites presenters to share practical approaches that turn rapid change into meaningful progress for institutions and the communities they serve.

Potential Topics / Areas of Interest

We invite presenters to share emerging practices, field-tested lessons, case studies, successes, and candid reflections. Creative and engaging presentation formats that encourage discussion and practical learning are especially welcome. Proposals may align with one or more of the following tracks:

1. Leading Through Change

Building people, leadership, and organizational capacity to thrive amid rapid change.

• Leadership development
• Workforce development and succession planning
• Creating and sustaining high-performing teams
• Change management and stakeholder engagement
• EDI strategies in facilities and infrastructure
• Culture of continuous improvement
• Administration and management in the age of AI
• Talent attraction, retention, and employee well-being

2. Navigating Change with Data & Technology

Using data, AI, and emerging technologies to inform strategy and decision-making.

• Strategic planning and visioning
• Digital transformation and smart-campus initiatives
• Artificial intelligence in facilities management
• Data governance and stewardship
• Asset management and deferred capital renewal (DCR)
• Data modelling and decision-support systems
• Performance measurement and analytics
• Innovation through technology integration

3. Transforming the Campus Experience

Creating exceptional campus environments through operational excellence, service innovation, and strategic space planning.

• Customer service and service-delivery models
• Space management and utilization
• Repurposing space and flexible workplaces
• Innovation in campus operations
• Operational excellence and process improvement
• The campus as a living lab
• Campus planning to support evolving user needs
• Enhancing student, faculty, and visitor experience

4. Building Resilience in a Changing World

Managing climate, sustainability, compliance, and institutional risks to strengthen long-term resilience.

• Energy management and decarbonization
• Sustainability and community engagement
• Compliance and risk management
• Policy and regulatory changes
• Emergency preparedness and institutional resilience
• The role of educational institutions in regional resilience
• Climate adaptation and risk mitigation
• Lessons learned from campus failures and disruptions

Other topics: The ERAPPA 2027 Host Committee also encourages submissions on other timely and relevant topics that offer value to attendees, with a focus on current technology, policies, procedures, and best practices. Participation by business partners together with institutional clients is encouraged where the presentation provides a collaborative, lessons-learned perspective.

Selection Process
Presentation opportunities are open to ERAPPA member institutions and business partners collaborating with member institutions. Joint presentations are particularly encouraged to highlight successful partnerships. All presentations must be non-proprietary and free of specific product or service endorsements.

The Professional Development Committee will review and evaluate eligible submissions using the following criteria:

• Relevance to the conference theme
• Timeliness and interest
• Innovation
• Presenter qualifications
• Degree of institutional involvement

Preference may be given to presentations featuring institutions local or regional to the conference location.

Presentation Requirements

• Educational sessions are 60 minutes in length, including time for questions and discussion.
• Presentations must use the standard ERAPPA PowerPoint template.
• Presentations are subject to review and approval prior to the conference.
• Presenters are expected to register for the conference.
• The conference is fully in person; no virtual sessions will be held.
• The Committee seeks innovative and engaging presentation techniques that enhance the attendee experience.

Learning Units and Professional Development Credits

Attendees may participate for personal interest or earn continuing education credits in various disciplines, including AIA learning units. Presentations offering such credits should identify them in the submission form. For high-quality presentations without existing certification, the ERAPPA Professional Development Committee may assist with the certification process. ERAPPA is a registered AIA/CES provider.

Submitting
Submissions will only be accepted online at: Call for Presentations – ERAPPA 2027

Please provide the following:
• Presentation title and brief abstract or description
• Presenter name(s), title(s), institution or organization, and contact information
• Contact person and contact information for future correspondence, if different from the presenters
• Presenter biography or biographies
• At minimum, four learning outcomes
• Identification of any applicable continuing education or professional development credits

Kwy Dates

Questions 

Questions may be directed to the ERAPPA 2027 Professional Development Committee:

• erappa2027-PD@oappa.ca

We look forward to receiving your submissions!