Traveling from as far away as South Africa and China to as close as Baltimore and New York, attendees took part in the industry's best education, gained insight from world-class experts and speakers, learned about cutting-edge solutions from the industry's premier service providers, and exchanged ideas and knowledge within the industry's most important business network at the 2011 BOMA International Conference and The Every Building Show June 26-28 in Washington, DC.
During the Sunday General Session sponsored by the AOBA Alliance and Constellation Energy, keynote speaker and political analyst David Gergen gave attendees an insider's look at the 2012 political landscape and discussed core issues elected officials and voters are grappling with, including the sluggish recovery, the growing national debt and the unwillingness of politicians on both sides of the aisle to make the tough choices. "The politicians don't want to do what's hard, they're just kicking the can down the road," said Gergen.
BOMA president Henry Chamberlain delivered the annual State of the Industry address during the Monday General Session sponsored by Yardi. Chamberlain discussed the key resets that need to take place to make commercial real estate in the U.S. more competitive in the global marketplace, including a greater focus on emerging technologies, green solutions, alternative workplace environments, and bringing young professionals into the industry.
Also during the Monday General Session, keynote speakers Michael Fascitelli, president and CEO of Vornado Realty Trust and renowned economist Peter Linneman, Ph.D., took part in a lively dialogue on key issues affecting both commercial real estate and the overall economy, such as inflation, investment concerns and the success of gateway markets like New York, D.C. and Texas compared to the greater U.S. marketplace. Speaking on global issues, the duo also discussed the debt problems in other countries, not just the U.S., noting that the United Kingdom is one of the few countries taking on the "hard answers."
Locally, Southern Connecticut BOMA has been working hard to grow the association by conveying the benefits of membership to the commercial real estate community and its partners. The benefits are numerous. Enter your building in one of the several categories of the prestigious TOBY (The Office Building of the Year) competition. Call executive director Sharon Moran at 860-243-3977 to learn more about the TOBYs, and how this active and community minded organization can help your company to grow and stay informed on industry related topics. Also, ask about registering for our Summer Social on July 21st at the Paradise Grille in Stamford and meet the members of Southern CT BOMA. We welcome you to join us.