Today marks the first day of IFMA’s World Workplace 2011 Conference & Expo, an annual three-day educational and networking event focused on the future of the built environment. Building on the professional development opportunities available through the association year-round, the World Workplace experience includes a conference focused entirely on education and an exposition incorporating product demonstration and instruction.

World Workplace will also offer attendees a glimpse into the future of the workplace, as they get the first look at the new products and services debuting in 2012. The conference’s expo floor will feature more than 280 exhibitors — including companies such as AlliedBarton, IBM, KBR, Kimball Office, Lowe’s, Staples, Steelcase, Toshiba and UGL — as well as governmental agencies including the U.S. State Department and General Services Administration. A number of local Phoenix-area exhibitors will also be on hand.

This year’s expo will be open on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 26-27. Members of the public are invited to attend free of charge. The expo will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26, and from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27.