Integrated facilities management leader NEST hosted its 4th Annual NEST IFM Summit at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, bringing together facilities, operations, and retail leaders from across the country for two days of collaboration, insight, and industry dialogue.
The annual Summit welcomed executives, FM stakeholders, and partners representing major multi-site brands to discuss the future of facilities management, operational strategy, and the growing role of technology and analytics in supporting large-scale operations.
This year’s event featured keynote speakers Marcus Lemonis, entrepreneur, renowned TV personality, and retail executive; Tara Renze, leadership and culture expert; and Dan Chuparkoff, an authority on AI, innovation, and the future of work. The schedule also featured an executive panel with industry leaders, including Mike Love (Boot Barn), Tracie Wickenhauser (Learning Care Group), and Michael Toth (Sun Auto Tire & Service), who discussed the future of multi-site facilities and how brands are managing scale while maintaining consistency across hundreds of locations.
One of the Summit’s most memorable moments came during Lemonis’s keynote address. Rather than delivering a traditional speech, Lemonis engaged directly with attendees, asking questions, learning about the challenges they face in the field, and applying his perspective to real-world operational issues.
Drawing on his experience leading large-scale retail and operations organizations, Lemonis emphasized the critical role facilities professionals play in business success.
“You are not a facilities manager. You are an asset protector and an asset enhancer,” Lemonis told the audience.
Lemonis outlined four key drivers of operational efficiency — process, technology, pride, and time — highlighting how disciplined operations, smart use of technology, and a strong sense of ownership can dramatically improve performance across multi-location businesses.
The Summit also reinforced the broader importance of facilities management in today’s operating environment. As organizations face rising costs, increasing complexity, and heightened expectations around customer experience, facilities teams are increasingly viewed as strategic partners in protecting assets, supporting employees, and ensuring operational consistency.
“Each year, the Summit continues to raise the bar,” said Rob Almond, Chief Executive Officer of NEST. “We bring together leaders who are solving real operational challenges every day. The conversations, partnerships, and ideas that come out of this event help move our entire industry forward.”
A key component of the Summit is its focus on community impact. As part of the event’s NEST Nurtures initiative, attendees participated in a hands-on charitable project supporting local students with learning differences.
During the Summit, facilities and retail professionals worked alongside representatives from Western High School’s Warrior Pathway Program to design and assemble custom sensory boards for students. The completed boards were donated to New Horizons Academy, a Las Vegas nonprofit that supports children with Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences. The interactive activity connected industry leaders with local students while creating tools that help support sensory development and learning in the classroom.
About NEST
NEST is the pioneer of the Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) industry in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1994, NEST delivers day-to-day tactical management of facilities, financial consulting, analytics, project management, and construction for major multi-site brands across North America. NEST provides 360° support 24 hours a day through one comprehensive facilities management solution that drives cost savings while maintaining an exceptional customer experience. To learn more about NEST, visit enterNEST.com or follow NEST on LinkedIn.
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