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Good day TAPPA members!
I pray all is going well and your semester is progressing nicely into the holidays.
While this time of year is one of celebration, it often comes with unique challenges. Whether it is the weather, events on campus or an activity in our local communities, we must be resilient and innovative to keep our campuses operating and doing what they do best, educating the next generation.
In an effort to keep Texas institutions ready for the unexpected, we recently had over 15 schools and approximately 60 attendees join the TAPPA webinar, “Revolutionizing Campus Operations using GIS.” The webinar was hosted by Sue Stewart who leads the Campus Geospatial Assets team at The University of Texas where she oversees drone and LiDAR scanning, space and civil records management, geospatial data stewardship, and the university’s Geographic Information System (GIS). As Sue articulated so well, having your campus mapped out and the information readily available can be of great benefit both for day-to-day efficiency and during an emergency. Thank you, Sue, for your time and expertise. The information you provided was very beneficial as we are all beginning to look toward the future for utilizing resources provided through technology and/or AI.
I have a few updates and reminders to share with you all. First, the TAPPA board will be meeting in Dallas next week to discuss several initiatives for the next few years. One of which will be TAPPA’s ability to provide meaningful ways for member schools and their teams to either attend or assist with educational opportunities or subcommittees. What makes TAPPA strong is the great participation we receive from our member schools and business partners. We could not be as successful as we are without your support and willingness to be a part of the organization. If you are interested in participating during the upcoming conference or would like to be a part of one of the sub committees, please email us at info@tappa.net.
Next, I wanted to remind everyone to mark your calendars for the annual conference from April 13-16, 2026, at the Dallas Renaissance Hotel. The theme is “Big Challenges, Bigger Solutions: Securing the Future of Texas Higher Ed.” We will have an action packed few days with many opportunities for education, networking and business partner interaction.
I also wanted to extend a shout out and thank you to SMU and Michael Molina, Vice President and Campus Architect, for agreeing to be the host school for the campus tour. If you have not had an opportunity, please review the website ( 2026 Agenda - Annual Conference | Texas Association of Physical Plant Administrators), as we have moved the campus tour to the first afternoon rather than the final day. We are hoping this provides a better opportunity for those interested in visiting other campuses.
Thank you to all who submitted proposals for educational sessions. We will review your submissions and notify you with a decision in January.
Finally, I would like you to consider nominating a business partner or facilities leader for a service award, or as a university, you can put your own nomination in for the Stars Across Texas Award. You can find the information for submitting a nomination on the TAPPA website (TAPPA Awards - Texas Association of Physical Plant Administrators). The nominees and winners will be recognized during the President’s reception on the first night of the conference.
We look forward to seeing you all at a future event! Take care, be safe and I hope everyone has a quiet and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday!
TAPPA 2026 in Dallas, Texas – April 14-16th
Theme: "BIG Challenges, BIGGER Solutions: Securing the Future of Texas Higher Ed"
Location: Renaissance Dallas Hotel
2222 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas, USA, 75207
Watch for Sponsorships and Registration information soon!
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Clear communication, competitive compensation, flexible scheduling, recognition programs, and technology integration form the foundation for building and retaining a reliable cleaning workforce (Facility Executive)
Risk assessment serves as the essential foundation for camera upgrade decisions, ensuring vulnerabilities are addressed before investing in new technology. (Security Magazine)
Strategic technology adoption across campus facilities focuses on sustainability, data-driven decision-making, and future-ready infrastructure to meet evolving operational and educational needs (Spaces4Learning)
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Mobile credentials have become the dominant access control solution, driven by convenience, security enhancements, and growing adoption across multiple sectors. (Campus Safety)
Construction spending shows signs of stabilization while labor conditions remain steady and tariff uncertainties continue to influence material costs and project planning. (Building Design + Construction)
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We want to hear from our members! Let us know of upcoming projects, initiatives, spotlight a fellow member, etc. Submit content ideas or articles for the TAPPA Newsletter to info@tappa.net.
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