Industry Trends
Elliott’s Industry Trends features forward-thinking ideas on where the industry is heading, including addressing best practices, design considerations, productivity enhancements, and other ideas that will shape how owners and occupiers of commercial real estate plan their best practices. These articles are intended to stimulate ‘out of the box’ thinking about how to deliver the optimum environment for each industry’s unique needs.
Higher Returns: 3 steps to help FMs rethink cleaning protocols
IFMA FMJ article on avoiding "harsh chemicals in cleaning products," their implications on indoor air quality (and therefore occupant health), and the importance of audits of cleaning protocols
Building Operating Management (January 2026 Interactive Edition)
The January 2026 interactive edition of the Building Operating Management magazine discusses the implications of "bridging the gap between IT and operations" on cybersecurity (P. 6-8), using "energy audits" to "uncover hidden inefficiencies" (P. 10), trends in HVAC systems and technology including increased AI integration (P. 12-14), the 2026 National Facilities Management & Technology (NFMT) Conference (P. 20-21), and emphasizing the human element in facility management while using AI and automation to improve efficiency (P. 22).
How Workplace Analytics Helps Owners Right-Size Space and Cut Costs
Buildings.com article on the usage of AI tools "for smarter space planning... in a hybrid work environment"
Building Services Management (January 2026 Edition)
The January 2026 edition of the Building Services Management magazine discusses usage of "autonomous mobile robots" in the cleaning industry (P. 14-15), "cleaning and sanitation for odor control" (P. 16-17), usage of AI "in improving trash sorting" (P. 18-19), "mold cleanup methods" (P. 26-27), and usage of AI for energy optimization (P. 28-29).
Facility Maintenance Decisions (January 2026 Edition)
The January 2026 edition of the Facility Maintenance Decisions magazine discusses continuous improvement in facility management (P. 4-5), sustainability projects at Tampa International Airport (P. 6-9), "practical strategies for keeping grounds equipment efficient, reliable, and responsive to labor and technology challenges" (P. 10-12), and "drain cleaning and maintenance" (P. 16-18).
Loyalty, Trust & Value: Why restrooms matter more than ever
IFMA FMJ article on how restrooms "reflect organizational priorities and directly affect user satisfaction" (and "strategies to elevate restroom performance")
Why Rodents Are a Year-Round Threat for Commercial Properties
Buildings.com article on why facility managers should treat rodents as more than just a "seasonal challenge" (and a "proactive defense strategy" for dealing with them)
Holiday Diagnostics: Using decreased occupancy to optimize facility performance
IFMA FMJ article on using the end-of-year holiday season to measure the "true performance baseline" of commercial facilities and "expose hidden inefficiencies"
Facility Executive (December 2025 Edition)
The December 2025 edition of the Facility Executive magazine discusses the importance of proper HVAC maintenance for the sake of indoor air quality (P. 8-9), usage of robotic cleaning equipment and smart sensors in facility cleaning "to enhance human efforts" (P. 10-11), "AI action plan for facilities management" (P. 12-14), usage of AI for energy management (P. 16-17), "how facility managers can spot IAQ issues before they impact business" (P. 18-19), and infrastructure in higher education (P. 24-25).
Training in 2030: AI Coaches, Smart Glases, and the End of the Notepad
This 61-minute ISSA webinar discusses projected trends "for workforce training in the cleaning and restoration industries" by 2030: Increased usage of AI chatbots (and possibly "agentic AI"), wearable "augmented reality" (AR) devices, and real-time translation.
Facility Maintenance Decisions (December 2025 Interactive Edition)
The December 2025 interactive edition of the Facility Maintenance Decisions magazine focuses on the theme of "maintenance issues affecting FMs." Topics discussed include: "New-generation HVAC upgrades" and usage of indoor air quality sensors (P. 2-5), "touchless and sensor-based" restroom fixtures (P. 6-9), "trends and challenges" regarding grounds management (P. 14-17), and using LED retrofit projects as an "opportunity to install lighting control systems" (P. 18-20).
Spray-on Surface Biocide Shown to be Ineffective
Cleaning Maintenance & Management report on a study showing that "a commercial spray that claims to make surfaces self-disinfecting had no antimicrobial effect shortly after application" and its implications on the usage of "surface-anchoring quaternary ammonium salt (SAQAS)-based biocides" for extended protection against "surface contamination"