It's another exciting year of outstanding achievements for CREW CT - The Real Estate Exchange. With one great professional development and networking event after another, we are providing much needed opportunities for CRE professionals to be a mutually supportive community. It's been a busy 2011 and much is still being planned to make the rest of the year even more valuable and and enjoyable to members. We're also streamlining the membership process, so this is absolutely the best time ever to join us. Find out more by contacting membership chair, Janet Wheeler at 860-882-5615 or [email protected].
In a quiet market, social media proves to be an effective tool for building your network, and that's what kicked off our professional development year. In our February program at OFI in Newington, Social Media Overview with Spotlight on LinkedIn, I was honored to present a brief overview on social media tools, and how today's social technologies can help influence business development, support your marketing strategy, and strengthen your brand.
Thomas Fink, senior vice president of Trepp, was the keynote speaker along with a panel of experts at our Public Forum in March at The Hartford Club, CMBS Market Trends and Outlook. It was a fascinating look at the status and future direction of commercial mortgage-backed securities from both a national and regional perspective. A PDF of the presentation is available on our website, www.crewct.org, under the Events tab.
In April, we held the 16th annual Blue Ribbon Awards Showcase at The Society Room in Hartford. Eleven awards were presented to recognize outstanding projects and transactions in a variety of categories from Best in Class to Most Significant Transaction. It is the most significant annual awards event in commercial real estate in Connecticut, a celebration of excellence, and proved to be another perfect networking opportunity. The slideshow of the 2011 winners is available on our website under the Events tab, as are numerous photos from the event.
We were very excited to have Gail Ayers, Ph.D., CEO of the CREW Network's national organization join us in May as our special guest at the back-to-basics open forum, What CREW can do for you. As Ayers commented, "There is no cold call in CREW. You join a network of 8,000 members who care about you." She explained our core values, purpose and future goals and how national CREW can benefit you and your business. The event allowed members to share their personal membership successes, to reconnect with their friends and colleagues, and make new acquaintances.
June couldn't get more thrilling with both Vegas and Essex a week apart. The CREW Network's Spring Leadership Summit & Council Meeting was held in Las Vegas. This event delivers valuable Chapter Leadership and Professional Development training to keep members' skills sharp and chapter practices on the cutting-edge. To top it off, we've got it all at this year's Annual Meeting in Essex: Golfing, Fashion Show/Shopping and Sailing, followed by our Annual Dinner Meeting at the Essex Yacht Club.
The rest of 2011 has a lot more to offer. CREW Network's Convention & Marketplace will be held in Washington, D.C. in September. For CREW CT, the fall will include the extremely popular State of the State program. Many great ideas are also being considered that you have to be a part of, including programs designed around wine tasting, health/holistic experts, and even a ropes course. We have a great mix of fun and business, so please join all of us at CREW CT today. We are here to help you succeed.
CREW CT is part of a national network of 8,000 commercial real estate professionals in 73 major markets across North America. It provides a networking and social forum for commercial real estate professionals of every related field and discipline. It is the only commercial real estate organization in Connecticut where a cross section of professionals can network directly with other industry professionals. Please visit www.crewct.org to learn more.
Special Thanks to 2011 Sponsors!
Penthouse Level
Murtha Cullina LLP
Robinson & Cole LLP
The S/L/A/M Collaborative
Executive Level
Bligh Graphics
Kostin, Ruffkess & Company, LLC
Boardroom Level
Citizens Bank
Cohn Birnbaum & Shea P.C.
Connecticut Attorneys
Title Insurance Company
LAZ Parking
Diversified Project Management
Levy & Droney, P.C.
MetroHartford Alliance
Montovani, Murray, Nemphos & Tierinni, LLC
OFI
Shipman & Goodwin LLP
Stewart Title Guaranty Co.
The Simon Konover Company
Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C.

Carolyn Bligh is a branding and marketing specialist and principal at Bligh Graphics in Simsbury Conn., and chairperson of CREW CT's public relations committee.