About The Program
The Spring Higher Ed Facilities & Safety Congress brings together the VPs of Facilities, Chief Facilities Officers, and campus operations and safety leaders responsible for the spaces where higher education happens, the decision-makers steering capital projects, deferred-maintenance strategy, and campus security at institutions across the nation.
It’s three days of curated one-on-one business meetings and focused, closed-door discussions built to surface real challenges, pressure-test solutions, and forge the partnerships that move projects forward. You’ll meet the right people, in the right context, at the right time.
Become a Partner
Topics of Discussion
Operationalizing AI in Facilities: From Pilot Projects to Everyday Operations
Explore how institutions are moving AI out of isolated experiments and into work orders, energy optimization, and capital planning that deliver measurable value across the campus.
From Backlog to Risk: Rethinking Deferred Maintenance
Examine how facilities leaders are reframing deferred maintenance as risk and asset-portfolio management to prioritize the reinvestment that protects both mission and balance sheet.
Security Integration for the Modern Campus
Discover how access control, video surveillance, and mass notification are converging into unified building systems that keep open campuses safe without adding friction.
Decarbonization on a Real Budget
Understand how campuses are funding energy and central-plant modernization through performance contracting, electrification, and efficiency retrofits amid tight capital and shifting incentives.
Space Utilization in a Shifting Enrollment Landscape
Discuss how leaders are using occupancy data to right-size the campus footprint and make the case for what to renovate, repurpose, or retire.
Solving the Skilled-Labor Shortage
Learn how facilities organizations are closing workforce gaps through automation, outsourced services, and new talent pipelines to do more with a leaner team.
Financing the Future Campus
Analyze emerging models for funding capital projects — bonds, public-private partnerships, and creative financing — when state support and enrollment revenue are under pressure.
Resilience and Readiness: Preparing Campuses for What's Next
Explore how facilities and safety leaders are hardening aging infrastructure and emergency systems against extreme weather, deferred risk, and rising safety expectations.
Capital Planning for the Long Game: Building Institutions That Last
Delve into how facilities executives are aligning the physical campus with enrollment, research, and financial priorities for the long term.
89% of delegates said this is the best event they’ve attended all year
Past Keynote Speaker
Past Speakers
Stony Brook University, New York
University of Arizona Global Campus, Arizona
Weber State University, Utah
University of Lynchburg, Virginia
California State University-San Marcos, California
Hudson County Community College, New Jersey
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Arizona State University-Tempe, Arizona
New Jersey Institute of Technology, New Jersey
The Schedule
Event Registration
Opening Keynote
Strategy Session/Business Meetings
Afternoon Refreshments and Networking
Strategy Session/Business Meetings/Roundtable Discussions/Workshops
Free Time
Welcome Drinks and Networking Dinner
Networking Breakfast
Morning Keynote/Panel Session
Strategy Session/Business Meetings
Morning Refreshments and Networking
Strategy Session/Business Meetings
Workshops/Roundtable Discussions
Networking Lunch
Roundtables/Business Meetings/Workshops
Afternoon Refreshments and Networking
Strategy Session/Business Meetings
Closing Session
Free Time
Networking Drinks and Dinner
Business Meetings
Breakfast
Workshops/Roundtable Discussions
Closing Session
Our Commitments to You
Maximized Networking Opportunities
A personal, customized itinerary
Exclusive qualified attendance
return on time and objective
Delegate Testimonials
RTM is a great opportunity to brainstorm with peers on existing and emerging challenges, as well as stay up-to-date on the latest innovations impacting higher education.
The CIO Congress is more than a conference. It is a small learning community of dedicated professionals committed to growth and excellence.
The CIO Congress by RTM provides an opportunity to engage w/ peers and hear their perspectives which may vary from East Coast, Southern, Midwest, and West Coast schools. Having like-minded individuals who are willing to share and collaborate is very much appreciated. The unique business meeting format is also beneficial. It allows me to have intentional focus with the vendors I want to engage and the dialogue is not one-sided. They listen and it doesn't feel like a typical "vendor floor" where I'm being pitched to buy their "latest and greatest" product.
The way the RTM conference is planned ensures that I have multiple opportunities to meet and engage with other decision-makers in my field. Talking through our shared problems at RTM opens my mind to fresh ideas and new solutions. It's my favorite small-scale conference.
In addition to amazing thought provoking sessions, the networking opportunities at RTM Higher Ed events are the best I’ve ever experienced. I have made some great connections and friendship's with other IT leaders in Higher Ed.