Why Higher Ed Facilities Leaders Can’t Miss HEFF 2025

If you’re a higher ed facilities leader, you’re not looking for another large conference with predictable content and surface-level networking in a ballroom. You want conversations that challenge your perspective. Connections that actually matter. Ideas you can bring back to campus to spark real change.

That’s exactly what the Higher Ed Facilities Forum delivers.

This November, an invite-only group of higher ed facilities leaders will gather at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs to step back from the daily grind and tackle what’s next in campus planning, construction, operations, and sustainability.

Here’s why you’ll want to be there:

1. A Lineup That Will Challenge Your Thinking

This year’s program brings together campus leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in higher ed:

• Mark Helms, AVP, Facilities Services, University of Florida — brings 30+ years of experience in operations, energy strategy, and master planning.
• Lisa James, AVP, Facilities Management, Cornell — leads a team of 850+ overseeing 16.9M sq. ft. and played a pivotal role in the $323M North Campus Residential Expansion.
• Dwyn Taylor, Chief Facilities Officer, Virginia Tech — a former U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps officer now driving capital construction and long-term campus transformation.
• Jay Wasson, VP for Physical Facilities & Chief Public Safety Officer, Purdue — oversees capital planning, asset management, and public safety across one of the nation’s largest campuses.

And to kick it off, Tyler Gillum, Head Coach of the Savannah Bananas, will share how to lead with boldness and creativity in times of change—reminding us all to “bet on yourself.”

…and much more. [See the full lineup here.]

2. Sessions That Get to the Heart of the Issues

Every session is designed with input from higher ed leaders themselves—so the conversations hit where it matters most. This fall, you’ll dive into pressing questions that don’t have easy answers:

• The Campus AI Revolution → From predictive maintenance to student services, how do you separate hype from true value?
• The Future of Energy → With budgets tightening and carbon goals looming, what strategies are proving cost-effective for campus-wide decarbonization?
• Fix It, Replace It, or Forget It? → Frameworks for making smarter lifecycle decisions when deferred maintenance piles up.
• Rightsizing Infrastructure → As institutions shrink, grow, or merge, how can leaders align facilities portfolios with new realities?
• Facilities Under Pressure → How facilities leaders are navigating tarriffs, rising costs, backlogs, budget cuts, and mounting expectations.  

Conversations that go deep - sharing tested strategies,  real case studies, and what's actually working on campus right now.  

​​3. Meetings That Matter

HEFF is not about endless booths or chance encounters. Instead, we use a curated match system to ensure your vendor conversations are worth your time.

Before the event, you’ll tell us what challenges you’re actively working on—from deferred maintenance to energy resilience to capital planning. Our platform then pairs you with solution providers who can actually help.

• 1:1 meetings are scheduled in advance—no chasing down reps, no wasted time.
• Vendors are vetted for relevance—so every conversation is grounded in solving your real problems.
• You stay in control—you choose which meetings to accept, ensuring your schedule reflects your priorities.

The result: Instead of wandering an expo floor, you’ll have focused, productive conversations that move your projects forward.

4. Networking That Actually Means Something

HEFF is built for authentic connection. With just 85 higher ed leaders in attendance, every conversation has depth. Whether it’s curated roundtables, casual conversations over cocktails, or out on the water, you’ll connect with other executives in ways that actually stick.

This year, you can choose your own networking adventure: a sailing trip or a golf outing on Sunday, followed by a lively dinner party on Monday night after a full day of discussions. Because when you’re relaxed and having fun, the best relationships happen naturally.

5. A Retreat That Maximizes Your Time

We know your days are packed. That’s why HEFF is curated to make every moment count. No expo halls. No overlapping sessions. Just three days of high-value conversations, curated 1:1 meetings, and experiences that recharge you for the work ahead.

And because this is an invite-only retreat, qualified executives attend at no cost—including hotel, meals, and experiences.

Join Us in Florida

If you’re ready to step back, see the bigger picture, and explore fresh solutions with the best minds in higher ed facilities, HEFF 2025 is where you want to be.

📅 November 9–11, 2025
📍 Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa | Bonita Springs, FL

👉 [Request your invite to HEFF 2025 today.]