Cromwell, CT The Conn./Western Mass. chapter of the Society of Industrial & Office Realtors (SIOR) held its fall 2019 meeting at the new TPC Clubhouse at River Highlands. A total of 36 members, guests and sponsors were in attendance. A regular business meeting was held on the patio outside the Clubhouse overlooking the course. This was followed with a networking hour, dinner, and presentations.

Thanks again to the event sponsor Bartlett Brainard Eacott (BBE), who were also the general contractor for the newly constructed Clubhouse facility. One of the chapter’s annual sponsors, PES Structural Engineers, was the design engineering firm for the Clubhouse project. Gerry Holland from BBE, and Dave Aucoin and Dave Brownell from PES provided a presentation of the project from its design, competitive bidding, and actual construction over a very tight schedule. It was completed in time for this year’s Travelers Tournament. A tour of the clubhouse followed, which included a breathtaking view of the 18th green and fairway from the upper deck. 

After dinner, associate member Pat Wellspeak moderated a presentation on the Connecticut commercial real estate market, touching on current conditions with different product types in locales around the state. Wellspeak and his firm Wellspeak, Dugas & Kane are a highly respected appraisal firm who have worked in the state for many years. The take away from Wellspeak’s presentation is despite some challenges in Conn., the positives are outweighing the negatives particularly in the industrial and multi-family sectors. 

Three event guests included UCONN seniors majoring in real estate. The chapter announced one of the students, Alex Botazzi, was selected to attend the upcoming Fall World Conference to be held in Portland, Oregon.