The Future of Education Operations is Human-Centric, Tech-Driven, and Adaptive.
July 22nd | 10:30 AM - 2:00pm ET
Free & Exclusively for K-12 and Higher Ed Professionals
Live Access & Innovation Toolkit
OPTIMIZE 2026 is more than a virtual conference. It is a gathering of forward-thinking K-12 and Higher Education Innovators coming together to pioneer the next generation of facility strategy, workplace efficiency, and team empowerment.
At Stillwater Public Schools
At CrowdComfort
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Interactive Agenda & Speaker Lineup
REAL EXPERTS. REAL STORIES. REAL RESULTS.
Breaking the "Do More with Less" Cycle: Welcome to OPTIMIZE
Speaker: Eric Graham
Kick off the day with a transparent look at the state of education facilities management. Eric Graham sets the stage for the conference, challenging the traditional, unsustainable mandate of "doing more with less." This intro establishes a new framework for education leaders: using innovation and real-time data to bridge the gap between ideal scopes and daily operational reality while setting foundation for continuous improvement year to year.
School Building & Environmental Health Trends: Navigating the New Education Landscape
Speaker: Sara Porter, Healthy Green Schools and Colleges
K-12 and Higher Ed facilities are facing unprecedented pressures, from aging infrastructures to strict environmental health expectations. In this opening keynote, Sara Porter explores the macro trends transforming campus operations nationwide. Learn how leading institutions are shifting toward sustainable, healthy building practices that directly support student attendance, staff retention, and positive community perception.
10-Minute Campus Catch-Up Break
Take a few minutes to check in with your teams, grab a coffee, or step away from the screen before our next session.
Fireside Chat: People First, Data Closely Second: Shifting Custodial Operations from Survival to Empowerment
Speaker: Rob Lamecker, Finance and Operations Officer, Stillwater Public Schools
When you are short-staffed and facing rigid budget caps, chasing an impossible cleaning standard only burns out your team. Drawing from his 20-year IT database background, Rob Lamecker breaks down how Stillwater Public Schools uses frictionless, mobile data collection and routing optimization to manage operations. Discover how to arm your head custodians with objective data to streamline their routes, protect frontline staff from burnout, and successfully handle administrative or building occupant complaints.
10-Minute Campus Catch-Up Break
Take a few minutes to check in with your teams, grab a coffee, or step away from the screen before our next session.
The Enrollment & Budget Crisis: Redefining Capital Footprints When Funding Drops
Speaker: Chris Brablc, VP of Marketing Insights
Shifting student populations and the rise of alternative school choices mean traditional schools and universities are facing major funding drops—yet the physical square footage of your campus remains the same. This session analyzes the economic pressures hit by K-12 and Higher Ed institutions and provides a strategic playbook for facilities leaders. Learn how to align daily operational capacity with real building utilization data so you can maintain baseline facility health without overextending your labor budget.
10-Minute Campus Catch-Up Break
Take a few minutes to check in with your teams, grab a coffee, or step away from the screen before our next session.
Embracing Technology & AI: How to Improve Your Team's Effectiveness and Efficiency
Speaker: Ryan Alu — Product Evangelist and Partnership Manager At FMX
K-12 facilities and operations teams are being asked to do more with the same or less staff, tighter budgets, and growing expectations. This session walks through the latest tools, platforms, and AI capabilities that streamline operations, enhance communication, and automate the routine work that's eating your team's day. Learn how to use technology to optimize performance, manage assets, and respond faster when something breaks. The goal: a more productive, more responsive team that's actually able to support the whole district, not just put out fires.
Wrap-Up & Live Custodial Lunch Raffle Draw
Speakers: Event Hosts
A quick thank you to our community of forward-thinking education leaders. We will share details on how to access the post-event Innovation Toolkit and on-demand recordings before running the live draw for the fully catered custodial staff appreciation lunch!
The Pillars of the OPTIMIZE Movement
Human-Centric Innovation
We believe technology should serve the people doing the work. True operational evolution occurs when we remove friction from our frontline crews.
Conversations over Pitches
No sterile product demonstrations. Engage in unfiltered, peer-to-peer dialogues with operators actively introducing intelligent resource deployment.
Progressive Strategy
You don't need a C-level title to build a future-forward operation. Arm your team with the data validation tools required to champion change.
Our Shared Impact: Honoring the Campus Environment & The Frontline
Innovation means looking forward—not just in our workflows, but in our global footprint and our treatment of human beings.
Investing in Our Community
To celebrate the growth of this community, We are proudly supporting global reforestation through One Tree Planted. We will be making a donation at upon completion of this conference in accordance with our attendees.
Celebrating the Hands that Do the Work
True leadership means taking care of the team. Every registered school district or university campus is automatically entered to win a fully catered staff appreciation lunch for their frontline custodial and maintenance crew.
Join the Cohort Moving Daily Education Operations Forward.
Space is Free & Exclusive for K-12 and Higher Ed facilities professionals, but virtual seats for the live Q&A roundtables are limited. Reserve your spot now.
Secure Your Free Pass Now
