BOMA International Gears Up to Showcase Members From the Emerging Professionals Committee

Welcome to the BOMA LinkedIn newsletter, where you'll find our recap on the top articles, social media posts and upcoming events. Explore the below content to learn the latest news in the commercial real estate industry, including a spotlight on BOMA’s Emerging Professionals Committee and the valuable contributions of its members.?

This edition also highlights an important conversation from the 2024 Annual Conference and Expo, featuring Jamal Johnson, DEI + Committee Chair, and Theotto Lillard, Committee Vice-Chair. In the video, they discuss some of the significant changes they've observed in the industry and within BOMA International, shedding light on efforts to create a more inclusive and diverse environment. Be sure to keep an eye out for the full interview, which will be released in December 2024!?

BOMA International Gears Up to Showcase Members From the Emerging Professionals Committee?

BOMA International is committed to providing the best resources to professionals in the commercial real estate field, and as our organization continues to grow, we enjoy highlighting insights from our members as they learn and continue to develop their careers. Our Emerging Professionals Committee (EPC) is geared toward BOMA members who are at the start of their careers and eager to grow professionally. The EPC provides networking opportunities with like-minded individuals, helping emerging professionals expand their career paths in an evolving industry.?This month, we’re gearing up to showcase members from the EPC, sharing insights from their career journeys, BOMA involvement, and more. In the meantime, our 2024 Rising Stars, the key players making positive impacts in the industry, offer their advice on the question, “What advice would you give to emerging professionals in the commercial real estate industry?”?Click here to read their tips.

"Based on what I’ve learned from my career, the advice that I would give to any emerging professional is to take advantage of all educational opportunities. The CRE world is rapidly changing and it’s important to stay on top of industry trends and best practices.? Also, try to attend BOMA events and network as much as possible, many opportunities in CRE arise through referrals and connections within the industry."

- Allison Davis, TMG Partners

Interested in joining the EPC? EPC membership is open to members with less than five years of industry experience – getting involved is as easy as reaching out to [email protected]. We look forward to welcoming you to the team!?

BOMA International DEI + Committee Chairs Reflect on Positive Changes in the Industry and Association

At the 2024 Annual Conference and Expo, Jamal Johnson, DEI + Committee Chair, and Committee Vice-Chair, Theotto Lillard, shared their perspectives on the evolving landscape of the commercial real estate industry and the transformative changes taking place within BOMA International. In this insightful discussion, they touched on the significant strides made in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across the association, as well as the broader impact on industry practices and culture. Be sure to stay tuned for the full interview, which will be released in December 2024, offering a deeper look at the positive momentum and the future of DEI + initiatives in commercial real estate.

Below is a list of our top articles that received the highest engagement in the last couple of weeks:?

4 Tips to Prepare Your Facility for Holiday Crowds?

As the holiday season approaches, businesses are gearing up for a surge in foot traffic. ABCO Cleaning Products shares key tips to help facilities prepare for the influx of customers. “As you prepare for the holiday rush, prioritizing both cleanliness and sustainability is crucial,” said Carlos Albir Jr., ABCO Cleaning Products vice president of operations. “Adopting environmentally friendly cleaning practices helps create an environment that benefits both customers and the planet.” Click here to read their strategies for staying ahead of customer demand.??

Balancing Fire Safety and Security in Modern Buildings: A Guide for Property Managers?

Building fire safety is a key responsibility for property managers as emerging hazards require proactive measures to protect occupants and assets. With the rise in lithium-ion battery fires, the U.S. Fire Administration are responding to these dangerous incidents by providing strategies to mitigate these fires. As property managers begin to understand the responsibilities of managing these risks, more companies are acting, including BOMA International’s Industrial Committee. Click here to read more updates from BOMA’s advocacy team and the steps to refreshing your fire protection knowledge.??

The Rise of Digital Health: Strategies for Effective Vendor Selection?

Since the pandemic, digital health has emerged as a major force in the medical field. Its definition can vary widely depending on the source. For example, the World Health Organization defines digital health in their Global Strategy on Digital Health report as “the field of knowledge and practice associated with the development and use of digital technologies to improve health.” This can encompass everything from the familiar online patient portals we use today to the extensive array of health apps offering various services. Click here to learn how digital health can transform healthcare delivery.??

Understanding What Data Center Tenants Prioritize in 2024?

The national data center market faces many constraints, including supply, access to power and high construction costs. And yet, inventory continues to grow as vacancy rates decrease. According to a CBRE global data center trends report, in the first quarter of 2024 the national data center inventory grew 24.4 percent on a year-over-year basis. During the same period, vacancy rates hit new lows across the major data center markets—Northern Virginia, Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago and Silicon Valley. Click here to read why brokers have to be at the top of their game to get data center tenants what they want.?

Interested in more content like this? Check out our Knowledge Center and be sure to sign up for our general, industrial and medical newsletters!?

Below is our recent How-To Playbook publication – click the link if you missed it!?

How to Enhance Security and Situational Preparedness in Real Estate

Strengthening security and preparing for emergency situations remains a top priority for property managers as we move toward 2025. Reflecting on the tragic Georgia mass shooting this past September at Apalachee High School—which claimed four lives and hospitalized nine—the importance of analyzing effective security strategies is clearer than ever. According to an in-depth investigation by Mother Jones of all U.S. mass shootings since 1974, a significant number of active shooter scenarios occur in businesses and schools. In light of these findings, bolstering security protocols is critical not only in commercial and educational spaces but also in multifamily buildings and other residential areas, ensuring all property types are well-prepared and protected. In conversation with Zach Elmer, former CIA Operations Officer, FBI Special Agent, medic, assaulter and sniper, he emphasizes the need to not become “paralyzed with fear,” when he presented at the 2024 BOMA International Annual Conference. Click here to read the How-To Playbook publication and learn more about strengthening security protocols, preparing for emergency situations and implementing effective strategies to protect both commercial and residential properties in the face of increasing threats?

Below are a couple of upcoming BOMA events – so be sure to mark your calendars!?

Budgeting and Accounting (BOMI Course)?

The Budgeting and Accounting course updates reflect the latest industry practices and standards. Innovative microlessons that focus on practical applications provide real-world insights and strategies you can implement immediately. You’ll learn the skills to effectively analyze financial statements, create budgets, manage and address budget variations, prepare rent rolls, and how to attract and retain high-quality tenants using tenant profiles. In addition, you’ll find a specialized module on CAM reconciliations. Click here to learn more and register.?

2025 Winter Business Meeting?

The challenge for every association is to stay ahead of the changing marketplace and evolving member and customer needs.?BOMA International’s 2025 Winter Business Meeting?will bring together BOMA leaders and property professionals from across the country to share ideas and learn from one another.? Your involvement is critical in helping to shape the future of BOMA and the commercial real estate industry. With the collective knowledge and dedication of our members, we will overcome whatever challenges come our way to advance a vibrant commercial real estate industry through advocacy, influence and knowledge. Click here to learn more and register.??

Looking to attend all of BOMA’s event offerings? View our Calendar of Events page or find your local BOMA to stay connected.?

Check out the latest updates from our BOMA committees:?

Industrial Committee?

Kia Lor, PMP, CMP, DES, Director of Education and Standards and staff liaison to the Industrial Committee shared the following updates from the Industrial Committee meetings:?

• Our advocacy team passed the H.R.1797 Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act at the House to require the “Consumer Product Safety Commission to promulgate a consumer product safety standard with respect to rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility devices and for other purposes.” This act was created out of response to the plethora of violent lithium battery explosions hitting the nation. To prevent more incidents in the future, this act will serve as a final consumer product safety standard for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility devices, including electric bicycles and electric scooters, to protect against the risk of fires caused by batteries. To learn more about lithium-ion batteries in general, as well as their overheating risks, click here to read this lithium-ion battery guidance publication from Navigators & General.?

• Our team discussed ESG initiatives for warehouses, such as installing solar panels on roofs. They discussed the implications of leaking and how that impacts the cost of repairs, i.e. using force majeure to fight for repairs; thus, having to get legal involved. We brainstormed thoughts to the question, “At what point are ESG initiatives cost effective for the company?”?

Floor Measurement Standards Committee?

Kia Lor, PMP, CMP, DES, Director of Education and Standards and staff liaison to the Industrial Committee shared the following updates from the Floor Measurement Standards Committee meetings:?

• For the first time in BOMA history, we have collaborated with ENERGY STAR? on our 2024 Gross Areas Standard for compatibility, compliance with the latest “All Buildings” International Property Measurement Standards (IPMS), the inclusion of several new Unenclosed Areas, improved text and illustrations throughout, helpful hints, and an easier step-by-step layout among other things. It also addresses many questions that users have asked about previous versions of the standard.?

Check out this month’s social media highlights:?

BOMA International's Executive Staff & Executive Committee - Fall Governance Meeting

How Could a Second Trump Presidency Affect the CRE Industry?

The Corner Office: Henry Chamberlain Reflects on His Career - Full Episode out on YouTube now!