Well, it's April which should mean warm, sunny days, but writing this president's message today, April 12th and all I see is heavy rain, wind blowing the trees around, and umbrellas turning inside out. Where are those spring days with convertible tops down, short sleeve shirts, and golf on the weekends?
Greater Hartford BOMA knows those spring days are just around the corner, so we have been busy planning "outdoor" activities. On April 25th, we will take a tour of the new Front Street projects taking place in downtown Hartford. One of the properties, Spotlight Theater is up and running to great reviews. The other two properties, Capital Grille and Infinity Theater are being developed now. This project promises to bring more "feet on the street" to this area. Across the street from the Convention Center, the Science Center and the Marriott, this downtown location will be an even busier area come summertime.
On May 16th, our third annual Nine/Wine/Dine is being held at Wintonbury Golf Club in Bloomfield. Each year we continue to grow this event. With tee off time mid-afternoon, you can still put in a few hours at the office, then join your BOMA colleagues for nine holes of golf and then head to the outdoor tent to sample some fabulous wines with dinner.
Keeping the golf theme going, we move onto The Country Club of Avon on July 15th for the annual Gus Johnson Golf Tournament. This year, a portion of the proceeds will go to The Wounded Warrior Foundation.
Watch your mail for the registration flyers, but mark your calendar now!
My fellow BOMA colleagues and I were able to get an early glimpse of some spring weather (well for CT residents anyway!) at the 2013 Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) which was held in Baltimore this year March 20-22. After a wonderful President's Reception at the Four Season's Hotel, it was time to get down to business. Thursday started off with our board meeting followed by some enlightening educational sessions. My personal favorite was "Highly Effective Nonprofit Boards." The night capped off with some time to tour the National Aquarium before a great presentation by Philippe Cousteau Jr., grandson of Jacques-Yves Cousteau. On Friday we were treated to a tour of some of the amazing destinations in and around Baltimore. We started off by visiting the Legg Mason Tower, a LEED Silver building, then on to Oriole Park at Camden Yards to tour one of the greatest ballparks in America, and we ended the tour at the historic Fort McHenry where the Star Spangled Banner was written. The 2014 MAC will be held in Boston, and I encourage everyone to put this into their budgets. We are a short ride from Boston, and our participation at this annual regional conference would be a great way to meet some of BOMA colleagues in the region.
So, if the old saying holds true, I will be looking at quite a few flowers come May. Come on spring weather...we know you are out there!
Wes Nicoll is the president of BOMA Greater Hartford, and is with Griffin Land, Bloomfield, Conn.