Buildings that Work: 2026 Research Insights

Organizations are moving beyond return-to-office debates and shifting their focus toward how buildings actively support productivity, resilience and business growth. In this discussion, we’ll unpack the latest 2026 OpenBlue Buildings That Work Report, based on insights from business leaders and facility managers across multiple industries. The session will explore how priorities are evolving across workplace technology, AI adoption, energy performance, risk management and sustainability—and what that means for organizations planning their facilities and workplace strategies for the year ahead.

Attendees will gain a clear understanding of the major themes shaping facility and workplace decision-making in 2026, including where organizations are investing, what challenges are slowing progress, and how the role of facilities is expanding across IT, operations and the business. We’ll highlight what the research signals about future expectations for building performance and how leaders can prepare for what’s next—without getting lost in hype or speculation.

By attending this session, participants will:

Understand the major trends driving workplace and facilities strategy in 2026, as revealed by industry-wide research

Learn how organizations are rethinking building performance beyond attendance metrics to support business outcomes

Gain perspective on how AI, integration and data are shaping future facilities and workplace investments

Explore how risk, security, energy performance and sustainability are influencing technology decisions at both the business and facilities leadership levels

Walk away with a framework for asking better questions about where to focus next in smart building and workplace initiatives