Business Partner Advisory Committee Charter

Overview

This charter establishes the volunteer Business Partner Advisory Committee (BPAC) to support and advance APPA’s vision, mission, and strategic goals. It outlines the governance framework, key objectives, guiding principles, performance measures, and deliverables to guide the committee’s efforts.

The BPAC will periodically review this charter and recommend updates to the APPA Board to ensure continued alignment with the association and industry’s evolving needs. The BPAC will collaborate with the Regional Business Partner Liaisons to ensure that the charter remains integrated with APPA’s broader strategic planning initiatives.

Purpose of the BPAC

The BPAC’s primary goal is to align Business Partner opportunities with the needs and expectations of APPA’s membership while supporting the association’s strategic roadmap. The BPAC is a strategic initiative by APPA to foster collaboration between Business Partners and APPA’s members. The committee aims to:

Enhance communication and build trust between APPA and its Business Partners.
Drive value for members through resource sharing and solution promotion.
Encourage the adoption of innovative practices and technologies in the facilities industry.

While many areas within APPA benefit from Business Partner involvement, the BPAC recommends prioritizing three key objectives:

Objectives

Enhance Collaboration and Communication: Establish a robust platform for collaboration and open dialogue between APPA and business partners. This can build trust, enable the sharing of ideas, and foster alignment on goals that advance the quality and effectiveness of educational facilities.
Drive Member Value through Resource and Solution Sharing: Focus on identifying and promoting solutions, tools, and best practices that address the specific needs of educational facility management. By sharing valuable resources, the committee can enhance APPA’s value to its members, helping them stay current with industry standards and cost-effective practices.
Promote Innovation and Technology Adoption: Lead efforts to encourage the adoption of new technologies and innovative solutions across APPA member institutions. By showcasing successful case studies, hosting pilot programs, or providing insights on emerging trends, the committee can help members adopt forward-thinking approaches to facility management.

Benefits for Business Partners

Participation in the BPAC offers unique opportunities to:

Showcase Thought Leadership: Position companies as an industry leader by contributing insights and expertise.
Expand Networking: Connect with APPA’s leadership, regional representatives, and key stakeholders to foster meaningful relationships.
Gain Market Insights: Stay ahead of industry trends and challenges by participating in strategic discussions.
Boost Visibility: Increase the company’s presence within APPA’s community, showcasing commitment to advancing educational facilities.
Influence Industry Direction: Collaborate with peers and APPA leadership to shape the future of facility management.

Committee Composition and Selection

The BPAC consists of 7-10 members, representing a diverse cross-section of the facilities industry, including:

Regional Business Partners.
Long-standing National Business Partners.
Emerging companies bringing fresh perspectives.
A mix of small and large businesses.

Members are selected based on transparent criteria, including alignment with APPA’s goals, industry contributions, and a commitment to innovation. Appointments are made collaboratively by the APPA Chair, Executive Committee, and Regional Representatives.

Expectations

Code of Conduct: All committee members will review and sign the BPAC code of conduct to join the committee. In addition, they will also review and sign the BPAC code of conduct annually to continue their participation in the committee.
Engagement: Active participation in periodic meetings, forums, and strategy discussions averaging 2-4 hours per month.

Governance and Terms

Chair
The Chair leads the Business Partner Advisory Committee, sets meeting agendas, and ensures alignment with APPA’s strategic goals. The Chair also acts as the primary liaison to the APPA Board. The term for the Chair is two years, with an option to renew for a second term of two years.

Vice-Chair
The Vice-Chair assists the Chair, steps in when the Chair is unavailable, and helps coordinate committee activities, including managing assigned projects. The term for the Vice-Chair is two years.

Committee Members

The Business Partner Advisory Committee will consist of 7-10 members, including representatives from various sectors within the facilities industry. Members will contribute their expertise and insights to support the committee’s objectives. The term for Committee Members is one year. The committee member is allowed to serve for an additional term if mutual interest aligns.

Meetings

The frequency and duration of meetings are flexible and will be determined by the needs of the committee. There are no set requirements for how often or how long meetings should occur. The Chair or Vice Chair will prepare the meeting agenda and ensure that action items are recorded and tracked.

Start-up and First-Year Action Plan

Establish committee
Develop charter
Develop action plan
Assess current APPA Business Partner efforts, develop a proposed strategy
Analyze survey results and make recommendations