IMA World Maintenance Forum 2026 SPONSORSHIP & PARTNERSHIP

Sponsor the global forum where maintenance becomes strategy

IMA-WMF2026 puts your organisation in front of maintenance managers, reliability engineers, asset management professionals, plant managers and industrial executives from across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, together with the academic and standards bodies that shape the discipline.

Sponsorship and partnership packages cover exhibition presence, speaking and workshop opportunities, brand visibility across the forum and its research programme, and the Sponsors Leadership Dinner on 27 October. Packages can be tailored — write to info@ima-world.org.

27–29 October 2026Tower Genova Airport HotelGenoa, Italy

Why sponsor IMA-WMF2026

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IMA World Maintenance Forum 2026 MAINTENANCE · RELIABILITY · ASSET MANAGEMENT

The global forum where maintenance becomes strategy

Three days that put you inside the research, the standards debate and the practice that will define maintenance to 2030 — with the people setting all three. Twenty-six sessions, forty-plus contributors, one published declaration.

27 – 29 October 2026 Tower Genova Airport Hotel & Conference Center · Genoa, Italy
Register — early bird EUR 850
See the full programme
FORUM OPENS IN
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200+ DELEGATES EXPECTED
20+ COUNTRIES REPRESENTED
70% DIRECTOR LEVEL OR ABOVE
26 CURATED SESSIONS
7th EDITION, HELD SINCE 2009
SIX STRATEGIC PILLARS

Every session sits under one of six pillars — the scope of the profession as IMA sees it developing to 2030

01 Maintenance & reliability excellence Global benchmarks, uptime strategies and operational best practice across manufacturing, maritime, energy and infrastructure.
02 Digital & predictive maintenance AI, IoT, smart sensor integration and the transition from reactive to condition-based, predictive operations at scale.
03 Asset lifecycle management Total cost of ownership, lifecycle optimisation frameworks, capital planning and asset performance management.
04 Safety, sustainability & compliance ESG integration, regulatory alignment, environmental standards and building safety-first operational cultures globally.
05 Certification & workforce development Global certification gaps, competency frameworks, talent pipelines and the future of professional education.
06 Research, innovation & case studies Evidence-based insight, applied academic research and real-world implementation case studies from global organisations.
WHY THIS FORUM EXISTS
Fragmented certification No globally aligned framework for maintenance competencies — creating workforce mobility gaps and skills-recognition failures.
Digitalisation without direction Organisations adopt AI and IoT without coordinated industry frameworks — producing islands of innovation, not systemic progress.
Siloed knowledge Local solutions applied to global problems. IMA-WMF2026 is the platform to close that gap through rigorous research and structured collaboration.
RESEARCH CENTREPIECE

IMA Global Maintenance Certification Standards Study: landscape and gaps

The first structured, global mapping of maintenance certification frameworks and professional recognition schemes — developed across IMA's international network and presented exclusively at IMA-WMF2026, in two parts across Days 2 and 3. Part I is presented on Day 2; Part II is opened to the floor for executive debate and validation on Day 3.

Read about the research
WHAT YOU WILL TAKE AWAY First access to global research — before public release Shape global standards — working sessions feed the recommendations Decision-maker connections — 20+ countries, 70% director level or above University-recognised training credits — University of Genoa IMA membership — included with every delegate pass
THREE DAYS AT A GLANCE
DAY 1 · TUE 27 OCT Pre Conference Workshop Day Four sequential, hands-on workshops, included in the full three-day pass. Seats per workshop are limited.
Agentic AI & smart maintenance Resilience of critical infrastructure Transport infrastructure innovation Gulf facility & asset management
Evening: Sponsors' Leadership Dinner
DAY 2 · WED 28 OCT Conference Day 1 Opening ceremony, keynotes, the global association dialogue and the research programme.
Three keynotes Nine-association global dialogue EN 16991 & risk-based inspection Research studies 2019 – 2026
Evening: Gala Dinner
DAY 3 · THU 29 OCT Conference Day 2 Case studies, industry roundtables, the validation forum and the closing declaration.
Two keynotes Critical-facility case studies Flagship study, Part II debate IMA-WMF2026 Declaration
Closing: WMF2028 announcement
Open the session-by-session programme
KEYNOTES
Prof. Federico Delfino Prof. Federico Delfino Rector, University of Genoa · Italy Keynote 1 — The industrial vocation of Genoa
Dr. Eduardo García Magraner Dr. Eduardo García Magraner Ford Motor Company · Spain Keynote 2 — Predictive maintenance impact in global manufacturing
TBA
Sponsor keynote slot To be announced Keynote 3 — available through the Partner tier
Wim Vancauwenberghe Wim Vancauwenberghe BEMAS · Belgium Keynote 4 — Energy efficiency and emissions through sustainable asset management
Li Baowen Li Baowen IMA China · China Keynote 5 — Plant management system requirements (video address)
All 29 confirmed contributors
WHO IS ON THE 2026 PROGRAMME

Named speakers, named organisations — on the record before you book

Every session on this site carries the people and the institutions behind it. Nine national and international maintenance associations sit on the plenary stage, two European universities carry the research, and the case material is presented by the operators who ran it.
30 Named speakers
9 Associations on the plenary
15 Countries represented
University of Genoa
University of Seville
Cranfield University
Ford Motor Company
Leonardo
IVECO Group
TÜV SÜD
MSC Cruises
Port of Genoa
NIS
Life Cycle Engineering
EU-VRi
Alfa Laval
Fondazione Ergo
See all 29
SEVENTEEN YEARS OF THE WORLD MAINTENANCE FORUM

Six editions before Genoa

2009
Guangzhou — the first forum The first World Maintenance Forum is held in Guangzhou, bringing together institutions, universities, enterprises and practitioners from several world regions. Li Baowen opens the forum with Time Character-E-maintenance; Alan Wilson presents Preparing Asset Maintenance Management Strategies for the new era. Both return to the stage in Genoa.
2013
Lugano — IMA is founded The International Maintenance Association is formally announced at the Lugano forum, with the vision of a global platform for knowledge exchange of effective maintenance practices and management. The forum becomes IMA's biannual congress.
2016
Standards and best practice Participation broadens across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Per Schjølberg chairs the standardization and best-practice session as IMA's regional branches and association relationships take shape.
2019
Research becomes the centrepiece IMA publishes its study on maintenance education and training — the beginning of the research programme that now defines the forum. Presented again, with updates, on Day 2.
2022
Maintenance meets Industry 4.0 The study on maintenance standards in the industrial transition scenario measures the profession against the demands of Technologies 4.0.
2025
The digitalization guideline IMA publishes a practical guideline to the digitalization of assets, facilities and maintenance management — now a working reference for organisations upgrading their systems.
2026
Genoa — the seventh edition Three days, 26 sessions and the flagship Global Maintenance Certification Standards Study — the most ambitious research programme the forum has carried.
The port of Genoa from above
GENOA — ITALY'S FIRST CONTAINER PORT, AND THE HOST CITY OF THE SEVENTH EDITION
WHY GENOA, WHY ITALY

Europe's second industrial power — and its oldest maritime republic

Italy was not chosen for the scenery. It is the second-largest manufacturing economy in the European Union, and Genoa sits at the point where its shipbuilding, energy, steel and logistics industries meet the Mediterranean. If you want to talk about maintaining complex assets, this is where they are.

Genoa is home to major groups active in energy, automation, transport, defence, shipbuilding and maritime shipping — Ansaldo Energia, Leonardo, Fincantieri and MSC all have deep roots here. The University of Genoa, founded in 1481, is the academic host — the relationship that makes university-recognised training credits possible for delegates.

Venue, travel and the city
2nd Largest manufacturing economy in the EU
1st Italian port by container throughput
1481 Founding year of the University of Genoa
42 Palazzi dei Rolli inscribed by UNESCO
Tower Genova Airport Hotel & Conference Center
Five minutes from the runway The Tower Genova Airport Hotel & Conference Center stands directly opposite the airport terminal. Delegates flying in can be checked in and in a session within twenty minutes of landing.
THREE DAYS IN GENOA
Porto Antico, Genoa Porto Antico — the restored old harbour, twenty minutes from the venue.
Palazzi dei Rolli, Via Garibaldi Palazzi dei Rolli on Via Garibaldi — a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Genoa by night The bay after dark, from the hills above the city.
PARTNERS, COLLABORATORS AND SUPPORTING ASSOCIATIONS
GLOBAL EVENT PARTNER OMAINTEC — Arab Asset, Facility and Maintenance Management CouncilCO-ORGANIZERTSG EXICON — The Specialist Group
SAFMMA — Saudi Asset, Facility and Maintenance Management Association
University of Genoa
EFNMS
SMRP
WPiAM
Global FM
BEMAS
OMAINTEC Academy
ZGC Global High-Level Think Tank Alliance
Asset Performance
MARAMM
DHBW Mosbach — Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University
SUPSI — Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana
Free University of Bozen-Bolzano
IMA-WMF2026 SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSOR Darwish Interserve Facility Management Darwish Interserve Facility Management — integrated facilities management, Doha, Qatar. darwishinterserve.com
Further sponsor logos are published here, grouped by tier, as agreements are confirmed.
WHY ORGANISATIONS SPONSOR

Three days in front of the people who sign off maintenance budgets

PARTNER · €15,000 Own the keynote Opening keynote billing, top placement across the programme, and the Sponsors' Leadership Dinner on Day 1. A single organisation only.
PLATINUM · €9,800 Take the platform A speaking platform in the conference programme, premium branding, and delegate passes for your team.
STARTUP & TECH · €1,200 Get in the room Showcase listing, logo placement and a delegate pass with one-year IMA membership — the entry point for technology vendors and young companies.
Every tier reaches the same room — 200+ delegates from 20+ countries, 70% director level or above Early-bird sponsorship closes 30 September 2026 and rates rise 10% thereafter. Tell us your objective and we will send the full prospectus with the tier comparison.
Request the prospectus
Compare all six tiers
A LEGACY OF GLOBAL MAINTENANCE LEADERSHIP

Six editions of evidence, and the same people still in the room

Six editions since Guangzhou 2009, held across three continents. Li Baowen, who opened that first forum, and Dr. Alan Wilson, who presented at it, are both on the 2026 programme in Genoa — as is the Chairman who has chaired every edition since.
“Think global – Act local!” “Solution-driven round tables and workshops for developing new business cases and for stream-lining local needs were on the agenda. The World Maintenance Forum was a unique opportunity for operators and maintenance service providers.”
Guido Walt Founder and Managing Director, Wear-Management, Switzerland · World Maintenance Forum, Guangzhou, 2009
“Not hardware, not software but people are the highest security risk!”
Jean-Pascal Foucault Key message delivered at the World Maintenance Forum, 2016
Participants of the first World Maintenance Forum, Guangzhou, 2009
The forum hall at a previous World Maintenance Forum Opening ceremony at a previous World Maintenance Forum Signing of the forum declaration at a previous World Maintenance Forum General assembly at a previous World Maintenance Forum Forum venue signage at a previous World Maintenance Forum The gala dinner at a previous World Maintenance Forum
Photographs: IMA archive.
SECURE YOUR SEAT Early bird EUR 850 closes 30 September 2026 Passes run from EUR 250 for students to EUR 1,250 for the Executive Forum Pass. Corporate bundles start at three delegates. Day-1 workshop seats are limited and allocated in order of confirmation. Register for IMA-WMF2026
PARTNER WITH THE FORUM Tiers from EUR 1,200 to EUR 15,000 Early-bird sponsorship closes 30 September 2026; rates rise 10% thereafter. Partner, Platinum and Gold slots are confirmed on a first-agreed basis.
Compare sponsorship tiers
PROGRAMME · 27 – 29 OCTOBER 2026

One workshop day. Two conference days. Twenty-six curated sessions.

Each session is curated for depth, not volume — structured to produce tangible research outputs and actionable industry insight, with forty-plus contributors and one published declaration. Every session carries a technical title for CPD and citation records.

DAY 1 · TUE 27 OCT Workshop Day
DAY 2 · WED 28 OCT Conference Day 1
DAY 3 · THU 29 OCT Conference Day 2
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Also represented on stage: GFMAM · IAM. Representatives marked to be confirmed are announced closer to the forum and published here as they are agreed.
STUDY COMMITTEE — FOURTEEN MEMBERS ACROSS TEN COUNTRIES
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University of Genoa
University-recognised training credits
IMA-WMF2026 is held in educational collaboration with the University of Genoa. Workshop and conference participants can enrol in the Master in Governance of Technological & Social Changes for Development and Innovation and have their attendance counted as official training credits.
Social & networking programme Tue 27, 19:30 — Sponsors' Leadership Dinner, invitation only
Wed 28, 20:00 — Gala Dinner, venue to be announced
Daily — Networking breaks and delegate matchmaking
SECTION PENDING — GALA DINNER VENUE The Gala Dinner venue for the evening of 28 October is announced closer to the event, along with the remaining speakers for the sponsor keynote, the maritime energy panel and the flagship validation forum.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Is the whole programme included in one pass? Yes. Every delegate pass covers the Day-1 workshop track, both conference days, all research sessions, networking lunches, the digital proceedings, the certificate of participation and the Gala Dinner on 28 October.
Do I need to choose sessions in advance? Conference sessions run in a single track, so no selection is needed. Day-1 workshop seats are limited and allocated in order of confirmed registration — register early if a specific workshop matters to you.
What happens if a speaker cannot attend? IMA replaces the contributor or the session with material of equivalent standing, publishes the change on this page and notifies registered delegates by email. Fees are not refundable on the basis of a single speaker change.
What language is the forum held in? All sessions are delivered in English. No interpretation is provided.
Can I add sessions to my own calendar? Yes. Each session has an "Add to calendar" button, and you can download a full day or the complete three-day programme as a calendar file from the buttons above.
Do the sessions count towards professional development? Yes. Each session carries an indicative CPD value equal to its contact hours, shown on the session card; the three days together total approximately 18 CPD hours of structured learning, excluding breaks and social events. Participants receive a certificate of participation stating attendance, and workshop and conference hours can additionally be counted as official training credits through IMA’s educational collaboration with the University of Genoa. CPD hours are indicative contact hours — recognition by any individual professional body remains that body’s decision.
The full three days are included in every delegate pass Workshop track, both conference days, all research sessions, networking lunches, digital proceedings, the certificate of participation and the Gala Dinner on 28 October.
Register now
IMPORTANT NOTE — PROGRAMME AND SPEAKER CONFIRMATION The programme published here — sessions, timings and named contributors — is confirmed as at the date of publication. IMA-WMF2026 is nonetheless a live international event: speaker availability can change at short notice, and individual sessions may be re-timed, substituted or replaced for reasons outside the organiser’s control. IMA publishes any change on this page and notifies registered delegates by email. Delegates are therefore asked to treat session timings as indicative when booking travel, and to confirm the final schedule in the delegate pack issued before the forum. Registration is for the forum as a whole and is not conditional on the appearance of any individual speaker.
SPEAKER INDEX

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Confirmed contributors across the three days, ordered by role in the programme. Further speakers for the sponsor keynote, the maritime energy panel and the flagship validation forum are announced as they are confirmed.

THREE DAYS, ONE ROOM — THE CONFERENCE HALL AT THE TOWER GENOVA
The conference hall at the Tower Genova Airport Hotel
ON THIS STAGE BEFORE
Three of the speakers on the 2026 programme have carried the forum since its early editions — the Chairman, Dr. Alan Wilson and Li Baowen, who opened the very first World Maintenance Forum in Guangzhou in 2009.
Dr. Zohair Al Sarraj at a previous World Maintenance Forum Per Schjølberg and Dr. Alan Wilson at a previous World Maintenance ForumLi Baowen at a previous World Maintenance Forum
Photographs: IMA archive.
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Speak at IMA-WMF2026 A small number of speaking slots remain open through the sponsorship tiers — Partner includes a keynote, Gold a panel seat. Research and case-study proposals are also welcome.
Submit a proposal
THE IMA ADVISORY BOARD

IMA's Advisory Board brings together 34 senior practitioners, academics and standards leaders across 20 countries and five continents. Many of them appear on this programme; all of them shape the research, standards work and communities of practice the forum exists to advance.

Dr. Zohair Al Sarraj Chairman, IMA · Chairman, SAFMMA · CEO, Specialist Group of Engineering Consulting Saudi Arabia
Adolfo Crespo Márquez Full Professor, Head of Industrial Management, University of Seville Spain
Dr. Alan Wilson Executive Committee · independent expert and author, UK O&M Standards Committee United Kingdom
Aleksandar Jovanović CEO, Steinbeis EU-VRi European Risk and Resilience Institute Germany
Ali Al Suwaidi Vice Chancellor, American University of Sharjah · Chairman, Global FM UAE
Andreas Weißenbach Professor, Head of Mechanical Engineering, DHBW Mosbach Germany
Asim Khalid Al Yemni Department Manager, Digitalization & Technical Development, Saudi Electricity Company Saudi Arabia
Asmaa Nusairi Director, Centre for Continuing Education & Professional Development, University of Sharjah UAE
Claudio Rolandi Founder, ACADEMIA · former professor, SUPSI-DTI Italy
Håkan Björnsson Director, automotive and powertrain engineering Sweden
Jakub Miasek Head of Manufacturing, Operify Ltd Poland
Li Baowen Chief Scientific Officer, Huamou Consulting Technology · Chairman, IMA China Branch China
Michael Leibig Founder & Chief Commercial Officer, Caretag Sweden
Mohammad Abu Afifeh Co-Founder & Managing Director, ESG-Solutions Jordan
Mohammed Al Fouzan Chairman, Arab Asset, Facility and Maintenance Management Council · OMAINTEC Saudi Arabia
Per Schjølberg Professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, NTNU Norway
Radmila Labus Country Representative for Egypt & Libya, BVMW Germany
Radosław Bondarczuk Vice President, Operify · Managing Director, Lean Medic Foundation Poland
Roberto Cigolini Full Professor, Operations & Supply Chain Management, Politecnico di Milano Italy
Roberto Revetria Full Professor, simulation and industrial engineering Italy
Rolando Fuentes Reyes Maintenance Manager, YPFB Refinación S.A. Bolivia
Samira Ben Ali President, MARAMM Morocco
Serge Boyadjian Vice President for Operations, Seder Group USA
Shima Fahima Founder & CEO, Enerjetix Italy / Switzerland
Tom Hladik Senior consultant in logistics and maintenance, Logio · EFNMS member Czech Republic
Selected members shown. The full Advisory Board and Executive Team are listed at ima-world.org/advisoryboard.
FLAGSHIP RESEARCH INITIATIVE · PRESENTED AT IMA-WMF2026

IMA Global Maintenance Certification Standards Study: landscape and gaps

The first structured, global mapping of maintenance certification frameworks and professional recognition schemes — developed across IMA's international network and presented exclusively at IMA-WMF2026, in two parts across Days 2 and 3.

PART I Day 2 · 28 October 2026, 18:20
PART II Day 3 · 29 October 2026, 14:00
SCOPE North America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East
COMMITTEE Fourteen members across ten countries
ACCESS Presented exclusively to IMA-WMF2026 delegates, before public release

What the study covers

01 · Global comparative analysis A comprehensive mapping of maintenance and asset management certification models across North America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
02 · Critical gap identification Where industry needs, academic outputs and existing frameworks diverge — and what that divergence costs the global maintenance workforce.
03 · Strategic recommendations Actionable pathways for harmonisation, professional recognition and globally aligned certification infrastructure.
04 · Working group participation Structured sessions across three days where delegates validate findings and directly shape the study's final global recommendations.

Why it exists

Maintenance and reliability qualifications have grown up regionally. National institutes, industry associations, vendors and universities each certify competence — often credibly, rarely comparably. An employer hiring across borders cannot reliably read what a credential means; a practitioner moving between countries or sectors cannot carry recognition with them.

The study maps that landscape systematically so the profession can argue from evidence rather than assumption — and so the recommendations that follow have a defensible basis.

How it reaches the forum

Part I — Day 2, 18:20 First public presentation of the landscape-and-gaps findings, delivered by Dr. Alan Wilson, Mohammad Abu Afifeh and Tom Hladik. Preceded by the 2019, 2022 and 2025 studies, presented in sequence from 17:20.
Part II — Day 3, 14:00 Findings, gaps and industry response: an executive debate and validation forum opened to the floor. Delegates are contributors, not an audience.
IMA-WMF2026 Declaration — Day 3, 16:05 The forum's official consensus statement — a small number of citable recommendations on certification, digitalization and workforce development.

The research programme before 2026

2019
Maintenance education and training The study that began IMA's research programme. Presented again on Day 2 with updates, by Dr. Alan Wilson.
2022
Maintenance standards in the Industry 4.0 transition Measures the profession against the demands of Technologies 4.0. Presented on Day 2 by Mohammad Abu Afifeh.
2025
Guideline to digitalization of assets, facilities and maintenance management A practical working reference for organisations upgrading their systems. Presented on Day 2 by Crespo Márquez and Hladik.

Research committee

Fourteen members across ten countries carry the study: two committee leads, a quality-assurance lead, standards liaisons to EFNMS and ISO, and practitioner representation from every region reviewed.
Dr. Zohair Al Sarraj
Dr. Zohair Al Sarraj Research Chair Saudi Arabia
Mohammad Abu Afifeh
Mohammad Abu Afifeh Committee Lead Jordan
Tom Hladik
Tom Hladik Committee Lead, QA Czech Republic
Claudio Rolandi
Claudio Rolandi European standards lead Italy
Dr. Alan Wilson
Dr. Alan Wilson Data extraction lead United Kingdom
Adolfo Crespo Márquez
Adolfo Crespo Márquez Methodology validator Spain
Li Baowen
Li Baowen APAC and China China
Janez Tomažin
Janez Tomažin EFNMS liaison Slovenia
Duncan Waddell
Duncan Waddell ISO standards advisor Australia
Per Schjølberg
Per Schjølberg Digitalisation and smart maintenance Norway
Asim Alyemni
Asim Alyemni MENA practitioner perspective Saudi Arabia
Eng. Basim Sayel Mahmoud
Eng. Basim Sayel Mahmoud Moderator · IMA Executive Committee Saudi Arabia
Fahad Sarfraz
Fahad Sarfraz IMA Executive Committee Saudi Arabia
Daniel Pfammatter
Daniel Pfammatter IMA Executive Committee Switzerland
SECTION PENDING — PUBLICATION AND DOWNLOAD Publication date, citation reference, number of frameworks and countries reviewed, and the download or request link for the full report are added once the study is released. Sponsors can co-brand the published report as a EUR 2,000 add-on.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Who can read the study? The findings are presented first to IMA-WMF2026 delegates, in two parts across Days 2 and 3, before public release. The published report follows after the validation forum.
Can I contribute a framework or dataset? Yes. Certification bodies, employers, universities and researchers can submit frameworks, data or corrections to research@ima-world.org for committee review.
Is the study vendor-neutral? Yes. IMA belongs to no vendor, country or single standards body. The committee spans ten countries and includes EFNMS and ISO standards liaisons.
How do delegates shape the recommendations? Part II on Day 3 is a validation forum, not a lecture: the recommendations that survive challenge from the floor are the ones carried into the IMA-WMF2026 Declaration and the published report.
Contribute to the study Certification bodies, employers and researchers can submit frameworks, data or a correction for review by the committee. Write to research@ima-world.org. Email the research team
Register to attend the launch
IMPORTANT NOTE — PRESENTATION TIMINGS The two flagship presentations are scheduled for Day 2 at 18:20 and Day 3 at 14:00. Both are confirmed at the date of publication; as with all sessions, timings and named presenters may change for reasons outside the organiser’s control, and any change is published here and notified to registered delegates.
VENUE & GENOA

Tower Genova Airport Hotel & Conference Center

A landmark glass tower on the waterfront beside Genoa's airport — conference centre, hotel and restaurant in one building. Delegates flying in can be checked in and in a session within twenty minutes of landing.

The tower, seen from the airport approach The main conference hall
ADDRESS Tower Genova Airport Hotel & Conference Center Tower Genova Airport Hotel & Conference Center
Via Pionieri e Aviatori d'Italia 44
16154 Genova GE, Italy
Reception T +39 010 65491 Official hotel website — towergenova.ideahotel.it
GETTING TO THE VENUE
On foot from the airport The hotel is directly opposite the terminal. Walk out of arrivals and cross to the tower — roughly five minutes with luggage.
Airport shuttle A complimentary shuttle runs between the terminal and the hotel; ask at the desk on arrival.
By train Genova Sestri Ponente Aeroporto is the nearest station, two stops from Piazza Principe, then a short taxi ride.
By car Exit Genova Aeroporto from the A10. On-site parking is available; reserve with your room.
By taxi Around EUR 25–30 from the city centre; ranks operate outside the terminal at all hours.
Flying long-haul If your route does not serve Genoa directly, Milan Malpensa (MXP), Milan Linate (LIN), Turin Caselle (TRN) and Pisa (PSA) are all 1.5–2.5 hours away by direct train or car, with frequent onward connections into Genova Piazza Principe.
DISTANCES
Genoa Airport (GOA) 500 m · 5 min walk
Genova Sestri Ponente station 2 km · 5 min
Genova Piazza Principe station 7 km · 15 min
City centre & Porto Antico 8 km · 20 min
University of Genoa 9 km · 25 min
AT THE VENUE
Conference centre with plenary and breakout rooms on a single floor On-site hotel rooms, booked separately from the delegate fee Restaurant, bar and panoramic top-floor views over the port Free Wi-Fi throughout, and dedicated networking space between sessions Step-free access throughout the conference floor
The venue has no dedicated exhibition hall — sponsor visibility comes through branding, delegate passes and digital placements.
Rooms are not included in the registration fee A block of rooms is held at the venue for IMA-WMF2026 delegates; elsewhere in the city four-star hotels average EUR 180–220 per night in October. Late October is busy in Genoa — reserve as soon as your registration is confirmed. Assistance: support@ima-world.org.
WHY GENOA, WHY ITALY

An industrial city, not a conference city

Genoa's economy runs on shipbuilding and repair, port logistics, energy, steel and defence engineering. Genoa is home to major groups active in energy, automation, transport, defence, shipbuilding and maritime shipping — Ansaldo Energia, Leonardo, Fincantieri and MSC all have deep roots here. The maintenance problems discussed at IMA-WMF2026 are, quite literally, being solved a few kilometres from the venue.

Genoa was a maritime republic for eight hundred years. Its wealth came from keeping ships, harbours and trade routes in service — the same discipline under a different name. The Palazzi dei Rolli, its UNESCO-listed palaces, are still standing because someone maintained them.

The University of Genoa, founded in 1481, is one of Europe's oldest, and its engineering and simulation groups are the academic host of this forum. That relationship is what makes university-recognised training credits possible for delegates.

2nd Largest manufacturing economy in the EU
1st Italian port by container throughput
1481 Founding year of the University of Genoa
42 Palazzi dei Rolli inscribed by UNESCO
Maintenance at industrial scale Genoa's yards repair and refit some of the largest vessels afloat, its terminals move over two million containers a year, and its energy and defence plants run continuous-process assets where unplanned downtime is measured in hundreds of thousands of euros an hour.
WHILE YOU ARE HERE

Stay the weekend

Genoa in late October is mild and uncrowded, the old town is the largest medieval centre in Europe, and the Ligurian coast starts at the edge of the city.

Via Garibaldi, Genoa
Palazzi dei Rolli — UNESCO Forty-two Renaissance palaces along Via Garibaldi, built to host visiting heads of state. Three are museums; the frescoed interiors alone justify the trip. Via Garibaldi · 20 min from the venue
Porto Antico
Porto Antico & the Aquarium Renzo Piano's redeveloped old harbour, and the largest aquarium in Europe. The Bigo panoramic lift gives the best view over the port and its cranes. Porto Antico · 20 min from the venue
Boccadasse
Centro storico & Boccadasse Europe's largest medieval old town, a maze of caruggi opening onto the cathedral — then a former fishing village of painted houses on the eastern shore. City centre · half a day
The Ligurian coast
Portofino & Cinque Terre Portofino is forty minutes east; the five UNESCO villages of the Cinque Terre are reachable by direct regional train in about ninety minutes. Best as a full day. Ligurian coast · full day
Eat like a Genoese Pesto genovese, focaccia col formaggio from Recco, farinata, trofie and fresh Ligurian seafood — all invented within a few kilometres of the venue. Ask for a sciacchetrà or a glass of Vermentino with dinner.
Weather Mild, 15–20 °C in late October
Currency Euro · cards widely accepted
Language Italian; English in hotels
Getting around Metro, buses, the Volabus airport line
ON-SITE AND EVENT LOGISTICS events@ima-world.org Arrival and registration desk times, accessibility requirements, dietary requirements, room set-up, exhibition and branding placement, audio-visual needs for speakers, and anything else concerning the venue itself. Email the events team
TRAVEL, VISA AND DELEGATE SUPPORT support@ima-world.org Invitation letters for Italian visa applications, hotel and room-block questions, airport transfers, and practical help before you travel.
Visa and invitation letters
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
How far is the venue from Genoa airport? The Tower Genova Airport Hotel & Conference Center stands directly opposite the terminal — about five minutes on foot. No transfer is required.
Is accommodation included in the pass? No. The registration fee does not include a hotel room. Delegate passes cover the programme, lunches, the Gala Dinner and proceedings. Rooms are booked separately; the negotiated delegate rate and booking code are published here once confirmed.
Is the venue step-free? Yes. The conference floor has step-free access throughout. Tell events@ima-world.org about any accessibility requirement so we can prepare for your arrival.
Can I reach the city centre easily? Yes. The city centre is roughly 20 minutes away by the Volabus airport line, taxi or metro connection, so evenings in Genoa are straightforward.
SECTION PENDING — DELEGATE ROOM RATE AND BOOKING CODE The negotiated nightly rate, booking code and cut-off date for the IMA-WMF2026 room block at the Tower Genova Airport Hotel are published here once confirmed.
VISA AND INVITATION LETTERS · ITALY

Travelling to Genoa: what delegates need to know about the Italian visa

Italy is part of the Schengen Area. If your nationality requires a visa for a short business visit, plan the application before you plan the trip — autumn appointment slots are the tightest of the year.

The port of Genoa Genoa, Italy — the forum is held five minutes from Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport, inside the Schengen Area.

Do you need a visa?

Nationals of EU and EEA member states and of Switzerland travel to Italy without a visa. A number of other nationalities may enter the Schengen Area for short business visits without one. Everyone else needs a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) for business or conference purposes, valid for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Requirements change. The authoritative answer for your nationality and place of residence comes from the Italian embassy, consulate or accredited visa centre responsible for your area — check there first, and check early.

When to apply

Applications may usually be lodged up to six months before travel IMA recommends applying at least eight to ten weeks before 27 October 2026 Most consulates will not accept an application later than 15 days before departure Register and pay first — an invitation letter can only be issued to a confirmed delegate Request the letter as soon as you are registered; IMA issues it within five working days
WHAT TO PREPARE
Consular practice varies by country, so treat this as a planning checklist rather than a definitive list. Your consulate's own document list always takes precedence.
Identity and application A passport valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure, with two blank pages; the completed Schengen application form; recent biometric photographs; and the visa fee (currently EUR 90 for adults).
Purpose of travel Your IMA-WMF2026 registration confirmation, the IMA letter of invitation, and — where your consulate asks for it — a letter from your employer confirming your position and the business purpose of the visit.
Stay, means and cover Hotel confirmation for the nights of the forum; return or onward travel booking; evidence of sufficient funds; and travel medical insurance valid across the Schengen Area with minimum coverage of EUR 30,000.
WHAT IMA PROVIDES
An official letter of invitation on IMA letterhead, addressed to the consulate Confirmation of your registration, pass type and payment The forum dates, venue address and programme reference A re-issued letter if your consulate requests a correction or an addendum
WHAT REMAINS WITH THE DELEGATE
Completing and lodging the application, and booking the appointment All consular fees, biometrics and courier costs Accommodation, travel bookings and insurance Any additional documents specific to your consulate
REQUEST AN INVITATION LETTER
Complete the fields below and submit. The details are compiled into an email addressed to support@ima-world.org, which opens in your mail application so you can attach your passport copy and send it from your own address. Please make sure every name matches your passport exactly.
Letters are issued to confirmed, paid delegates within five working days. IMA processes these details for the sole purpose of issuing your invitation letter.
VISA — QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Will IMA sponsor or guarantee my visa? No. IMA issues a letter of invitation confirming your registration and the purpose of travel. It is not a sponsorship, a guarantee or an undertaking of financial responsibility, and it does not oblige any authority to grant a visa.
I have not registered yet. Can I still get a letter? No. A letter can only be issued once your registration is confirmed and paid, because it states your pass type and payment status.
How long does IMA take to issue the letter? Five working days from a complete request. Incomplete requests — most often a missing passport detail or consulate name — are the main cause of delay.
My visa was refused. Can I get a refund? Write to support@ima-world.org with your refusal notice as early as possible and we will set out the options available under the registration terms.
Do I need travel insurance? Yes. Schengen applications require travel medical insurance valid throughout the Schengen Area with minimum coverage of EUR 30,000, including repatriation.
Can IMA write to my consulate directly? IMA can re-issue or amend the letter if a consulate asks for specific wording, but does not correspond with consulates on an applicant’s behalf.
LIABILITY — TRAVEL, ENTRY AND GEOPOLITICAL CONDITIONS Entry to Italy and the Schengen Area is decided solely by the competent authorities. IMA accepts no liability for visa refusal or delay, for denial of boarding or entry, or for any travel, accommodation, insurance or application cost arising from them, and no liability for disruption caused by sanctions, border or airspace closures, armed conflict, civil unrest or government travel restrictions affecting a delegate's route or nationality. Each delegate is responsible for assessing the conditions applicable to them and for holding adequate travel, medical and cancellation insurance. Refunds are governed exclusively by the terms on the Registration page.
Register first, then request your letter Early bird EUR 850 closes 30 September 2026. Delegates needing a visa should aim to hold a granted visa well before October — the earlier the registration, the more room the application has.
IMPORTANT NOTE — THE SCOPE OF IMA'S ASSISTANCE IMA issues an official letter of invitation to confirmed, paid delegates, and nothing further. IMA does not submit applications, does not book or influence appointments, does not act as a sponsor or guarantor, and cannot intervene in a consular decision. Responsibility for the application, the supporting documents, the fees and the timing rests with the delegate, and the decision rests entirely with the Italian authorities. Delegates are strongly advised not to purchase non-refundable travel before a visa is granted.
PARTNERSHIP PROSPECTUS · TIERS FROM EUR 1,200

Align your brand with global maintenance leadership

IMA-WMF2026 brings together the decision-makers who define maintenance strategy, procure technology and influence standards. Sponsorship places your organisation at the centre of that conversation — in front of the people who make those decisions.

200+ DELEGATES EXPECTED
20+ COUNTRIES REPRESENTED
70% DIRECTOR LEVEL OR ABOVE
5+ RETURNING SPONSORS
THE AUDIENCE YOU REACH
C-suite & senior executives CEOs, COOs, CTOs and VPs setting maintenance and operations strategy.
Maintenance & asset directors Leaders driving reliability strategy and lifecycle optimisation.
Plant & operations managers Accountable for uptime, safety and efficiency across facilities.
Reliability engineers Specialists in condition monitoring and predictive maintenance.
Academics & researchers Contributing to and drawing from applied maintenance research.
Technology providers EAM, CMMS, AI and IoT vendors shaping smart asset management.
Standards & policy leaders Associations, certification authorities and governance institutions.
Consultants & solution providers Experts and firms advancing maintenance science and innovation.
COMPARE ALL TIERS

Early-bird pricing shown; rates rise 10% from 1 October 2026. Partner, Platinum and Gold slots are confirmed on a first-agreed basis — once a slot is taken it does not reopen.

BENEFIT
PARTNER
PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
STARTUP
Investment
€15,000
€9,800
€6,500
€3,500
€1,800
€1,200
From 1 October 2026
Negotiated
€10,780
€7,150
€3,850
€1,980
€1,320
Slots available
2
3
6
8
Open
Open
Title naming rights
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—
Keynote speaking slot
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—
—
—
Panel speaking opportunity
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—
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—
Logo on all event branding
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●
●
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—
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Logo on IMA website
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●
●
●
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Sponsors' Dinner seats
6
3
2
—
—
—
Dedicated newsletter features
12
6
4
2
—
—
LinkedIn spotlight posts
6
4
2
1
—
—
Delegate passes
6
3
3
2
1
1
IMA membership with passes
Leader
Leader
Professional
Professional
Community
Community
Curated delegate introductions
●
●
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Startup showcase listing
—
—
—
—
—
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Multi-year OMAINTEC 2027 option
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●
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Not sure which tier? If you want to own the room, take Partner or Platinum. If you want a speaking platform, Gold is the entry point. If you want presence and passes at low commitment, Silver or Bronze. Early-stage technology companies should look at the Startup tier.
Build your own Every tier can be extended with add-ons — workshop sponsorship, a dedicated newsletter feature, a co-hosted webinar or research study co-branding. Tell us the outcome you need and we will assemble the package: partnerships@ima-world.org.
CONFIRMED SPONSORS
Darwish Interserve Facility Management
SILVER SPONSOR — IMA-WMF2026 Doha, Qatar
Darwish Interserve Facility Management DIFM delivers hard, soft and managed facilities management services in Qatar — packaged individually or as bespoke total-FM solutions — to internationally recognised standards. It was originally established as a joint venture between Al Darwish United Co. W.L.L, a Qatari business group, and the UK multinational Interserve Plc, and today operates as a 100% Qatari-owned entity under Al Darwish United. With 14 years in the facilities management and maintenance industry, DIFM serves clients including Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport, Milaha, Qatar Museums, the Ministry of Municipality, PHCC, QNCC, UDC, GEMS Schools and Commercial Bank of Qatar. Each project is led by a dedicated senior manager accountable from initiation to completion.
Integrated facilities management Hard, soft & managed services 14 years in Qatar 100% Qatari-owned
TIER DETAIL
IMA-WMF2026 PARTNER From €15,000 Limited to 2 organisations
Exclusive title naming rights to the forum Keynote speaking slot Sponsors' Dinner — host, table for six Full branding: programme, digital and all signage Logo on the IMA website — homepage and sponsors page 12 dedicated solo newsletter features plus 6 LinkedIn spotlight posts 6 delegate passes, each with a one-year IMA Leader Membership Curated introductions to opted-in delegates Multi-year OMAINTEC 2027 option
Enquire about PARTNER
PLATINUM €9,800 €10,780 from 1 October · limited to 3
Premium branding across all materials, above Gold placement Logo placement on the IMA website Panel speaking opportunity Sponsors' Dinner — 3 seats 6 dedicated newsletter features plus 4 LinkedIn spotlight posts 3 delegate passes with one-year IMA Leader Membership Curated introductions to opted-in delegates Eligible for the Multi-Year Partner Programme
Enquire about PLATINUM
GOLD From €6,500 From €7,150 from 1 October · limited to 6
Premium branding across all materials and the programme Logo placement on the IMA website Panel speaking opportunity Sponsors' Dinner — 2 seats 4 newsletter mentions plus 2 LinkedIn spotlight posts 3 delegate passes with one-year IMA Professional Membership Curated introductions to opted-in delegates Multi-year OMAINTEC 2027 option
Enquire about GOLD
SILVER €3,500 €3,850 from 1 October · limited to 8
Brand visibility across event materials and the digital programme Logo placement on the IMA website 2 newsletter mentions plus 1 LinkedIn spotlight post 2 delegate passes with one-year IMA Professional Membership
Enquire about SILVER
BRONZE €1,800 €1,980 from 1 October · open enrolment
Logo placement on the digital programme and website 1 delegate pass with one-year IMA Community Membership 1 shared newsletter mention and 1 shared LinkedIn mention
Enquire about BRONZE
STARTUP & TECH €1,200 €1,320 from 1 October · open enrolment
Startup and technology showcase listing Logo placement on the digital programme and website 1 delegate pass with one-year IMA Community Membership 1 shared newsletter mention and 1 shared LinkedIn mention
Enquire about STARTUP
ADD-ONS
ADD-ON WHAT IT INCLUDES PRICE
Workshop sponsor Branded workshop session on Day 1 €2,500
Sponsors' Dinner host Platinum and Gold tiers only; included as standard for Partner €5,000
Newsletter feature Dedicated solo feature, not shared with another sponsor €800
LinkedIn spotlight series Three dedicated posts across the campaign on IMA's channels €600
Webinar co-host Co-host a dedicated webinar hosted by IMA or OMAINTEC €1,500
Research study co-branding Logo placement on the published Certification Standards Study report €2,000
ABOUT OUR GLOBAL EVENT PARTNER — OMAINTEC
OMAINTEC — Arab Asset, Facility and Maintenance Management Council Arab Asset, Facility and Maintenance Management CouncilOMAINTEC — formerly the Arab Council for Operations and Maintenance — is a non-profit registered in Switzerland (Lugano), operating across the Arab world to raise operations and maintenance standards, with a regional liaison office in Riyadh. Its annual conference, the International Asset, Facility & Maintenance Management Conference, is now in its 24th year and draws government bodies, regional utilities and industrial operators from across the GCC and beyond.
24th year Of the OMAINTEC conference
17 – 19 Jan 2027 Next edition, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
2022 · 2024 Editions run coinciding with IMA-WMF
Final OMAINTEC dates and venue are confirmed independently by OMAINTEC and may change — always verify current details at omaintec.com or omaintec.org before finalising any commitment.
WHAT SPONSORS HAVE BEEN PART OF
Six editions since 2009 — a full forum hall, a working exhibition floor, and the networking and gala programme where most partner conversations actually happen.
The exhibition floor at a previous World Maintenance Forum Delegates networking between sessions at a previous World Maintenance Forum The gala dinner at a previous World Maintenance Forum
Photographs: IMA archive.
MULTI-YEAR PARTNER PROGRAMME
Extend your commitment to OMAINTEC 2027 IMA-WMF and OMAINTEC share a working history rather than a one-off arrangement — the forums ran as coinciding editions in 2022 and 2024, and OMAINTEC is listed today as IMA-WMF2026's official Cross-Promotion Partner. Partner, Platinum and Gold sponsors may build on that relationship by extending their commitment to OMAINTEC 2027 (17 – 19 January, Jeddah) as a bundled agreement. Each organisation applies its own 15% reduction independently: your IMA-WMF2026 tier price is fixed as published above, while the equivalent OMAINTEC 2027 package — inventory, tier equivalence and final pricing — is selected and confirmed directly by OMAINTEC's organising committee. For current OMAINTEC packages, contact OMAINTEC via omaintec.com. Eligible tiers — Partner · Platinum · Gold
How the bundle works
1 — Confirm your IMA-WMF2026 tier in writing with IMA. 2 — Confirm the equivalent OMAINTEC 2027 package in writing with OMAINTEC. 3 — Each organisation invoices separately, in its own currency, applying its own 15% reduction.
Sponsorship of one event does not automatically extend to the other. Full terms are set out in the appendix at the foot of this page.
Why partner with IMA-WMF2026
Three full days anchored in original IMA research Official presentation platform for the Global Maintenance Certification Standards Study Direct access to senior buyers across manufacturing, energy, maritime and infrastructure Institutionally hosted by the University of Genoa Gold and above: curated introductions to matched delegates
IN GOOD COMPANY — PARTNERS, COLLABORATORS AND SUPPORTING ASSOCIATIONS
GLOBAL EVENT PARTNEROMAINTEC — Arab Asset, Facility and Maintenance Management CouncilCO-ORGANIZERTSG EXICON — The Specialist Group
SAFMMA — Saudi Asset, Facility and Maintenance Management Association
University of Genoa
EFNMS
SMRP
WPiAM
Global FM
BEMAS
OMAINTEC Academy
ZGC Global High-Level Think Tank Alliance
Asset Performance
MARAMM
DHBW Mosbach — Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University
SUPSI — Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana
Free University of Bozen-Bolzano
SECTION PENDING — CONFIRMED IMA-WMF2026 SPONSOR LOGOS Sponsor logos are published here grouped by tier as agreements are signed. 
SPONSORSHIP PAYMENT — BANK TRANSFER ONLY
Sponsorship and partnership fees are settled exclusively by direct bank transfer to IMA’s account in Switzerland. No other payment route is accepted for sponsorship, and IMA never asks a sponsor to send funds to any other account, individual or intermediary.
Bank UBS Switzerland AG
Bank address PO Box, 8070 Zürich, Switzerland
Account holder International Maintenance Association (IMA)
Holder address Via dei Gilardi 15, 6926 Montagnola, Switzerland
IBAN CH40 0020 6206 9838 1701 V
Please quote your name or organisation and the reference given on your invoice or confirmation so the payment can be matched. All bank charges, including intermediary and correspondent bank fees, are borne by the payer; amounts received net of charges remain payable in full.
Before you transfer Your agreement is confirmed, and branding deadlines start, once the transfer is received. Send the payment confirmation to partnerships@ima-world.org, quoting the tier and your organisation. If you receive banking details from any other source, do not act on them — verify with partnerships@ima-world.org first. Notify us of a transfer
SPONSORSHIP — QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Which tiers include a speaking platform? Partner includes the remaining opening keynote; Platinum includes a speaking platform in the conference programme; Gold includes a panel seat. Speaking content is agreed with the programme committee.
Is there an exhibition hall? No. The venue has no dedicated exhibition hall, so sponsor visibility comes through branding, the programme, delegate passes, digital placement and the social programme — which keeps sponsors in the room rather than in a corridor.
Can a package be tailored? Yes. Every tier can be extended with add-ons — workshop sponsorship at EUR 2,500, report co-branding at EUR 2,000, a newsletter feature, a co-hosted webinar or the Gala Dinner.
When must a sponsorship be confirmed? Partner, Platinum and Gold slots are limited and confirmed on a first-agreed basis. Branding deadlines for print and signage fall well before October, so earlier agreement means more visibility.
What happens if I confirm after the early-bird deadline? Standard rates — 10% higher, shown alongside the early-bird price on every tier — apply from 1 October 2026. Partner pricing is negotiated directly and is not affected by the deadline. Partner, Platinum, Gold and Silver slots remain subject to availability regardless of date.
How and when will I be invoiced? IMA issues an invoice in EUR once your tier is confirmed in writing, settled by bank transfer to the account above. The Sponsorship Team confirms exact payment terms during onboarding.
What does the complimentary IMA membership include? Each delegate pass carries a one-year individual IMA membership — Leader, Professional or Community according to tier — with global community access, the research studies, publications and member-only webinars.
Can I combine my tier with OMAINTEC 2027? Partner, Platinum and Gold sponsors can extend to OMAINTEC 2027 under the Multi-Year Partner Programme above. OMAINTEC confirms its own package, inventory and pricing directly, and invoices separately.
Is there a deadline for our logo and brand assets? To guarantee inclusion in the printed programme and the signage, logos and brand assets should reach the Sponsorship Team as soon as your tier is confirmed. The team confirms the current production deadline.
What if we need to withdraw or postpone after confirming? For the Multi-Year Partner Programme, see the terms in the appendix below. For standalone sponsorship, contact the Sponsorship Team at partnerships@ima-world.org to discuss the options.
APPENDIX — TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MULTI-YEAR PARTNER PROGRAMME
01IMA-WMF2026 and OMAINTEC 2027 are organised independently by the International Maintenance Association (IMA) and the Arab Asset, Facility and Maintenance Management Council (OMAINTEC) respectively. Each organisation governs the content, logistics and sponsorship inventory of its own event, and neither acts as agent, partner or joint venturer of the other.
02IMA makes no representation, warranty or guarantee regarding OMAINTEC's pricing, inventory, tier equivalence, scheduling or performance of OMAINTEC 2027. Sponsors are responsible for confirming these details directly with OMAINTEC before relying on them.
03The bundled discount applies only once both events are confirmed in writing with each organising body; sponsorship of IMA-WMF2026 alone does not automatically extend to OMAINTEC 2027, and vice versa.
04The Programme is available to Partner, Platinum and Gold tier sponsors only, and is non-transferable to another organisation without written consent from both IMA and OMAINTEC.
05IMA-WMF2026 fees are invoiced in EUR under IMA's standard payment terms. OMAINTEC 2027 fees are invoiced separately by OMAINTEC under its own currency and payment terms. Each organisation is responsible solely for its own invoicing, collection and refunds.
06Should a sponsor withdraw from either event, the bundled discount is forfeited and standard standalone pricing applies to the remaining event; no refund or credit is owed by the organisation from whose event the sponsor did not withdraw.
07Both organisations reserve the right to reschedule or relocate their respective events for reasons beyond their reasonable control (force majeure), without liability beyond a pro-rated credit toward a future edition of that same organisation's own event.
08IMA's liability arising from this Programme, however characterised, is limited in all cases to the amount actually paid to IMA for IMA-WMF2026 sponsorship, and excludes indirect, consequential or reputational loss. IMA accepts no liability for any act, omission, delay, cancellation or non-performance by OMAINTEC.
09This agreement and any dispute arising from IMA-WMF2026 sponsorship is governed by Swiss law, with exclusive jurisdiction in Switzerland. OMAINTEC 2027 sponsorship terms are governed separately under the jurisdiction stated in OMAINTEC's own sponsorship agreement, and nothing in this Programme creates joint or several liability between IMA and OMAINTEC.
10If any provision of this Programme is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force and effect.
All tiers are subject to availability. Early-bird pricing ends 30 September 2026; standard rates apply thereafter, except Partner, which is negotiated directly regardless of timing. Partner, Platinum and Gold slots are confirmed on a first-agreed basis. Delegate counts, countries represented, seniority mix and returning-sponsor figures are working estimates pending final confirmation.
DECIDE BY 30 SEPTEMBER 2026 Early-bird sponsorship closes 30 September 2026 Rates rise 10% thereafter. Partner, Platinum and Gold slots are limited and confirmed on a first-agreed basis. Tell us your objectives and budget range and we will come back with the packages that fit.
Email partnerships@ima-world.org
REGISTRATION · 27 – 29 OCTOBER 2026

Register for IMA-WMF2026

Every pass includes networking lunches and coffee breaks, digital proceedings, a certificate of participation and the Forum Gala Dinner on the evening of 28 October. Hotel accommodation is not included — rooms are booked and paid separately. Registration is completed on the IMA events platform.

Go to registration
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INDIVIDUAL PASSES
TICKET TYPE SALE ENDS PRICE AFTER EARLY BIRD
Executive Forum Pass — VIP C-level and senior asset leaders. Full 3-day access, reserved front seating, Executive Leadership Roundtable, VIP Networking Dinner (27 Oct), Gala Dinner, 1-year IMA Professional Membership, full 2026 Research Reports, 20% off OMAINTEC 2027 and priority Q&A with keynotes. Limited availability.
30 Sep 2026 €1,250 On request
Professional — Early Bird Full 3-day access (27–29 Oct): Day-1 workshop track, both conference days, all research sessions. Plus 90-day Premium IMA Community access, the 2026 Research Compendium (executive summaries) and a 50% voucher toward 1-year IMA Professional Membership.
30 Sep 2026 €850 €1,000
IMA Member — Regular Standing preferential rate for active IMA Professional and Leader members: the full Early Bird package at EUR 850 right through to the forum, including after the general Early Bird closes on 30 September 2026. Full 3-day access plus 90-day Premium IMA Community access. Membership is verified before confirmation.
Standing rate €850 No increase
Professional — Regular The standard rate once Early Bird closes. Same inclusions as the Professional Early Bird pass. This is the baseline against which the corporate bundles are priced.
From 1 Oct 2026 €1,000 Current rate
Academic — university Faculty, researchers and academic professionals. Full 3-day access (27–29 Oct), Gala Dinner, Research Executive Summaries and 60-day IMA Community access. Institutional email required to verify status.
30 Sep 2026 €500 On request
PhD / student PhD candidates and enrolled students. Full 3-day access (27–29 Oct), Gala Dinner, Research Executive Summaries and 60-day IMA Community access. Proof of enrolment requested. Limited availability.
30 Sep 2026 €250 On request
Register on the IMA events platform Early Bird pricing is aligned across all delegate categories through 30 September 2026. The “after early bird” column shows the rate that applies from 1 October 2026. Post-early-bird rates for the Executive, Academic and PhD / student tiers are confirmed by IMA on request — info@ima-world.org.
CORPORATE BUNDLES — SEND A TEAM
3 DELEGATES €2,400 Saves €600 versus 3 Regular passes at the €1,000 standard rate.
5 DELEGATES €3,850 Saves €1,150 versus 5 Regular passes at the €1,000 standard rate.
10 DELEGATES €7,000 Saves €3,000 versus 10 Regular passes at the €1,000 standard rate.
Each bundle delegate receives full 3-day access (27–29 Oct), the Gala Dinner, networking lunches, digital proceedings and a certificate of participation. IMA collects delegate names after registration; names can be added or substituted up to 14 days before the event at no charge. Bundles close 30 September 2026. For invoice-based payment: info@ima-world.org.
WHAT EVERY PASS INCLUDES
The full three days Day-1 workshop track, both conference days and all research sessions.
The flagship research Part I on Day 2 and the Part II validation forum on Day 3 — before public release.
Gala Dinner Evening of 28 October, included in every pass.
Lunches and coffee breaks Networking meals across all three days.
Digital proceedings Session materials and the 2026 Research Compendium.
Certificate of participation Plus university-recognised training credits through the University of Genoa.
IMA membership A full year of community, research access and member-only webinars with every delegate pass.
Delegate matchmaking Curated networking across 20+ countries, 70% director level or above.
The IMA-WMF2026 Declaration A named contributor role in the forum's published consensus statement.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE REGISTRATION FEE The delegate fee does not include a hotel room Registration covers the three-day programme only. Accommodation is booked and paid for separately by each delegate, whether at the Tower Genova Airport Hotel or elsewhere in the city. No nights of any kind are bundled into any pass, bundle or sponsorship tier.
Hotel rooms and any extra nights Flights, airport transfers and local transport Breakfasts, dinners outside the Gala Dinner, and personal expenses Visa fees, travel insurance and medical cover
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
Visa and invitation letters Travelling from outside the Schengen Area? IMA issues official invitation letters to confirmed, paid delegates. Apply early — October appointments can take several weeks. support@ima-world.org
Accommodation Not included in the registration fee. A block of rooms is held at the Tower Genova Airport Hotel for delegates; four-star hotels in the city average EUR 180–220 per night in October. Book as soon as your registration is confirmed.
Invoices and payment All prices in EUR, per person, excluding accommodation and travel. Company invoicing and purchase orders: info@ima-world.org. Live availability and payment options are on the registration platform.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is included in a delegate pass? All three days, the Day-1 workshop track, every research session, networking lunches, the Gala Dinner on 28 October, digital proceedings, a certificate of participation and one-year IMA membership. It does not include hotel accommodation, flights or transfers — those are arranged and paid separately.
When does the early bird rate close? EUR 850 until 30 September 2026, then EUR 1,000. Student passes start at EUR 250 with proof of enrolment.
Can I substitute a colleague later? Yes. Names can be added or substituted up to 14 days before the forum at no charge — write to info@ima-world.org.
How do I pay by invoice or purchase order? Company invoicing and purchase orders are handled by info@ima-world.org. All prices are in EUR, per person, excluding travel and accommodation.
I need a visa for Italy. What should I do first? Register and pay, then request your invitation letter from support@ima-world.org. Full guidance and a request form are on the Visa page.
Do you offer group rates? Yes. Bundles for 3, 5 and 10 delegates are shown above and close on 30 September 2026.
Boccadasse, Genoa The Ligurian coast
PAYMENT AND BANK DETAILS
Delegate registrations can be settled online at ima-world.org/events/wmf2026 or by direct bank transfer to IMA’s account in Switzerland. Transfers are accepted in EUR only.
Bank UBS Switzerland AG
Bank address PO Box, 8070 Zürich, Switzerland
Account holder International Maintenance Association (IMA)
Holder address Via dei Gilardi 15, 6926 Montagnola, Switzerland
IBAN CH40 0020 6206 9838 1701 V
Please quote your name or organisation and the reference given on your invoice or confirmation so the payment can be matched. All bank charges, including intermediary and correspondent bank fees, are borne by the payer; amounts received net of charges remain payable in full.
Before you transfer A place is confirmed once payment is received and matched. Email the transfer confirmation to info@ima-world.org so we can allocate it quickly — this also speeds up invitation letters for visa applications. For invoices and purchase orders, write to the same address before transferring. Notify us of a transfer
LEGAL NOTICE AND DELEGATE TERMS
Please read before registering or booking travel IMA-WMF2026 is organised by the International Maintenance Association, a not-for-profit association domiciled in Switzerland. Registration constitutes acceptance of the terms summarised below. They exist to state plainly what IMA is responsible for — organising and delivering the programme — and what it is not.
1 · Programme changes The programme, session timings, session content and named contributors are confirmed as at the date of publication and are subject to change. IMA reserves the right to alter, re-time, substitute, merge or withdraw any session or contributor without prior notice where circumstances require it. Registration is for the forum as a whole and is not conditional on the participation of any individual speaker, and no refund or compensation arises from such a change.
2 · Force majeure IMA is not liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations where that failure or delay results from events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to war, armed conflict, invasion, civil unrest, terrorism, sanctions or export controls, closure of borders, ports or airspace, government or public-authority orders and travel restrictions, epidemic or pandemic, industrial action, transport or air-traffic disruption, cyber-attack, failure of utilities or telecommunications, fire, flood, earthquake, severe weather or the unavailability of the venue.
3 · Geopolitical circumstances and travel risk International events are exposed to geopolitical developments that neither IMA nor its delegates control. Each delegate is solely responsible for assessing the travel advisories, entry rules, sanctions regimes, health requirements and security conditions applicable to their nationality, residence and route, and for deciding whether to travel. IMA does not monitor, advise on or accept responsibility for such conditions, nor for any consequence of a delegate’s decision to travel or not to travel.
4 · Postponement, relocation and cancellation by IMA Where a force majeure event or a material change in circumstances makes the forum impracticable, IMA may postpone it, change the venue or city, reduce its duration, or deliver all or part of the programme in hybrid or online form. In that case registrations transfer automatically to the rescheduled or reconstituted event and remain valid. If IMA cancels the forum outright without a replacement date, IMA’s sole obligation is to refund the registration fee actually received, less any non-recoverable third-party costs already committed. IMA is not liable in any circumstances for travel, accommodation, visa, insurance or other costs incurred by delegates or their organisations.
5 · Visas and entry IMA issues an official letter of invitation to confirmed, paid delegates and provides no further immigration assistance. IMA is not a sponsor, guarantor or agent of the delegate, does not lodge applications and cannot influence any consular decision. Visa refusal, delay, denial of boarding or refusal of entry is not the responsibility of IMA and does not create a right to a refund beyond the published cancellation terms.
6 · Insurance is the delegate’s responsibility IMA provides no insurance of any kind to delegates, speakers, sponsors or their personnel. Each participant must arrange their own travel, medical, repatriation, cancellation, liability and property insurance at an adequate level for international travel, and is deemed to have done so on attending.
7 · Limitation of liability To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, IMA’s aggregate liability arising out of or in connection with the forum, however arising, is limited to the registration fee actually paid by the claiming delegate. IMA excludes all liability for indirect, incidental, special or consequential loss, and for loss of profit, revenue, contracts, business opportunity, data or reputation. Nothing in these terms excludes liability which cannot lawfully be excluded, including liability for death or personal injury caused by proven gross negligence or wilful misconduct.
8 · Personal safety and property Delegates attend at their own risk and remain responsible for their own health, conduct and belongings. IMA accepts no liability for illness or injury, or for loss, theft of or damage to personal property, equipment or exhibition material at the venue, in transit or at any social or off-site activity.
9 · Independent third parties The venue, hotels, transport providers, caterers, technical suppliers, sponsors, exhibitors and social-programme operators are independent third parties. IMA acts solely as organiser of the programme, is not their agent or principal, gives no warranty in respect of their services, and is not liable for their acts, omissions, pricing, cancellations or standards of service. Bookings made directly with such providers are governed by their own terms.
10 · Content, research and no professional advice Presentations, papers, panel remarks, research findings and the IMA-WMF2026 Declaration represent the views of their authors and contributors, not of IMA. All material is provided for general professional information only; it is not engineering, safety, legal, financial or regulatory advice, no warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or fitness for any purpose, and any reliance placed on it is entirely at the user’s own risk. Delegates and their organisations remain responsible for their own technical and commercial decisions.
11 · Certificates and credentials The certificate of participation confirms attendance only. It is not a professional qualification, licence, accreditation or certification of competence, and it confers no right to represent oneself as certified by IMA. University training credits, where available, are awarded by the University of Genoa under its own rules and at its sole discretion.
12 · Recording, photography and intellectual property IMA and its appointed suppliers photograph, film and record the forum for reporting, archival and promotional use. By attending, participants consent to the capture and use of their image, voice and contribution in any medium without fee, and may withdraw consent for future use by written notice to the organiser. Delegates may not record, stream or reproduce any session, slide or document without IMA’s prior written consent. All programme materials remain the property of IMA or of the respective contributors.
13 · Data protection Personal data supplied on registration or in a visa-letter request is processed only for the administration of the forum, delegate communication and statutory record-keeping, in accordance with the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection and, where applicable, the EU General Data Protection Regulation. Data is not sold. Details are set out in IMA’s privacy notice at ima-world.org.
14 · Governing law and jurisdiction These terms and any dispute arising in connection with the forum are governed by Swiss law, with exclusive jurisdiction in the courts competent at IMA’s registered seat, without prejudice to any mandatory consumer protection available to the delegate. The English text prevails over any translation. This summary is published for transparency and does not replace the registration terms and conditions accepted at the point of purchase.
Questions on any of the above: info@ima-world.org. Last updated September 2026.
{{ ebLabel }} Day-1 workshop seats, the Executive Forum Pass and the student rate are all limited and allocated in order of confirmation. Questions before you register: info@ima-world.org or WhatsApp +41 79 749 09 78.
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IMPORTANT NOTE — WHAT YOUR REGISTRATION COVERS Registration secures your place at IMA-WMF2026 as a whole: the workshop day, both conference days, all research sessions and the social programme. Session timings and named contributors are confirmed as at the date of publication, but speaker availability can change at short notice and sessions may be re-timed or substituted for reasons outside the organiser’s control. Any change is published on the programme page and notified to registered delegates by email. Fees are not conditional on the appearance of an individual speaker. Delegates requiring an Italian visa should register first and request an invitation letter immediately afterwards, as appointment waiting times in the autumn can run to several weeks.
CONTACT

Talk to the IMA-WMF2026 team

Five inboxes, each with a defined purpose and each monitored by a named member of the team. Choose the one that matches what you need.

GENERAL AND DELEGATE ENQUIRIES info@ima-world.org Registration questions, invoices and purchase orders, programme information, speaker proposals, press and media. Send an email
SPONSORSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP partnerships@ima-world.org Tiers from EUR 1,200 to EUR 15,000, add-ons, workshop sponsorship, the Multi-Year Partner Programme and the full prospectus. Email partnerships
RESEARCH AND THE FLAGSHIP STUDY research@ima-world.org Submissions of certification frameworks, national data and corrections for the Global Maintenance Certification Standards Study; co-authorship and academic collaboration; citation and report requests. Email the research team
ON-SITE AND EVENT LOGISTICS events@ima-world.org Anything concerning the venue and the days themselves: registration desk times, accessibility and dietary requirements, room set-up, branding placement and speaker audio-visual needs. Email the events team
VISA AND INVITATION LETTERS support@ima-world.org IMA issues official invitation letters to confirmed, paid delegates. Register first, then apply early — October appointments can take several weeks. Request a visa letter
WHO TO WRITE TO
Five addresses, each with a defined purpose. Writing to the right one is the fastest route to an answer; anything sent to the wrong address is forwarded internally, which costs a day.
info@ima-world.org General and delegate enquiries Registration, invoices and purchase orders, name changes, programme information, speaker and paper proposals, press and media.
partnerships@ima-world.org Sponsorship and partnership All sponsorship tiers and add-ons, the Multi-Year Partner Programme, the prospectus, and association or media partnerships.
support@ima-world.org Delegate support, visa and travel Invitation letters for Italian visa applications, hotel and room-block questions, airport transfers and pre-travel assistance.
events@ima-world.org On-site and event logistics Registration desk times, accessibility and dietary requirements, room set-up, branding placement, speaker audio-visual needs.
research@ima-world.org Research and the flagship study Framework and data submissions, corrections, academic collaboration, citation and published-report requests.
For anything urgent in the days around the forum, WhatsApp +41 79 749 09 78 reaches the organising team fastest.
CONTACT — QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
How quickly will I get a reply? Within two working days for most enquiries. Visa invitation letters are issued within five working days of a complete request from a confirmed, paid delegate.
Who do I contact about an invoice? Registration finance sits with info@ima-world.org; sponsorship invoicing sits with partnerships@ima-world.org.
Can IMA help with my visa application itself? No. IMA issues the official invitation letter only. The application, appointment, documents and fees are the delegate’s responsibility and the decision rests entirely with the Italian authorities.
Is there a press contact? Yes — write to info@ima-world.org with "Press" in the subject line for accreditation, interviews and the media pack.
Venue Tower Genova Airport Hotel & Conference Center
Via Pionieri e Aviatori d'Italia 44
16154 Genova GE, Italy
Reception T +39 010 65491
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Quick questions and updates WhatsApp +41 79 749 09 78
LinkedIn @imaworldorg
ima-world.org/ima-wmf2026
ABOUT THE ORGANISER

One profession, one global association

The International Maintenance Association is a not-for-profit association headquartered in Switzerland, founded to give maintenance, reliability and asset management a single independent global voice. IMA is neutral by design: it belongs to no vendor, no country and no single standards body — which is what allows it to convene all of them.

The Arab Asset, Facility and Maintenance Management Council (OMAINTEC) is a founding member of IMA and remains its cross-promotion partner today.

2009 First World Maintenance Forum
7 Forum editions, including IMA-WMF2026
34 Advisory Board members
20+ Countries, five continents
Ready to join us in Genoa? Early bird EUR 850 closes 30 September 2026. Sponsorship slots at Partner, Platinum and Gold are confirmed on a first-agreed basis.
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FORCE MAJEURE AND GEOPOLITICAL CIRCUMSTANCES International events are exposed to circumstances outside any organiser's control. IMA accepts no liability for change, disruption, postponement or cancellation arising from war or armed conflict, civil unrest, terrorism, sanctions, border, port or airspace closures, government travel restrictions, epidemic or pandemic, industrial action, transport disruption, or failure or unavailability of the venue or its utilities. Where such an event makes the forum impracticable, IMA may postpone it, change the venue or deliver the programme in hybrid or online form, in which case existing registrations remain valid and transfer to the new arrangement. Delegates are responsible for assessing the travel advisories and entry conditions applicable to them, and for their own travel, medical and cancellation insurance. The full terms are set out on the Registration page.