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NAIOP 2008 Mid-Year Review

Al BeaudetteWe've nearly hit the mid-point of the year, and although we are seeing challenges in our individual markets that may transform the way we do business, NAIOP continues as a powerhouse in meeting our needs and providing the education, networking and resources to carry us into the next cycle.

This year, I've had the privilege to travel to several of our chapters and participate in their programs, and I look forward to visiting with many more. In the spring, I attended the Southern Nevada Chapter's annual Spotlight Awards, the Hawaii Chapter's Kukulu Hale Awards and the SoCal Chapter's outstanding Young Professionals Symposium. I commend each of these chapters on exemplary programs that can be modeled by other chapters.

During these events, I was encouraged by the increased role that Developing Leaders (DLs) - NAIOP members age 35 and less - are playing in our chapters. SoCal's Young Professionals Symposium program has elevated that chapter's DL involvement, and I'm pleased that the Southern Nevada Chapter is now hosting a similar program, with additional chapters planning a launch of their own programs this year.

Nationally, NAIOP continues to provide many resources to Developing Leaders, including a terrific online resource center. New to the Developing Leaders world are "live chats," in which our DLs can participate in a real-time, online conversation with a subject expert. If your company's DLs aren't participating in these, I hope you'll encourage them to do so. More information - and transcripts from two chats already held - can be found at www.naiop.org/dl.

Sustainable Development
NAIOP continues to take a leadership role in sustainable development. Since the last issue of Development, NAIOP hosted a very successful DevelopGREEN Conference, held in March in Phoenix, Ariz. DevelopGREEN was created by NAIOP in response to a growing demand on the part of commercial developers for education on green building practices and sustainable resources. It brought together 400 developers, owners and other commercial real estate professionals for two great days of education. An exhibit hall featured many sustainable products and service providers.

The centerpiece of the exhibit hall was the "Ultimate Green Office," built for the NAIOP conference by San Francisco-based Swinerton Builders Inc. The exhibit showcased "green office" elements in a 10x20-foot model office configuration, featuring Tate's Building Technology Platform for the access floor system, a high-recycle- and post-consumer-content carpet tile system from InterfaceFLOR RePrise(TM) Collection and a demountable architectural wall system called Altos(R) from Teknion. During DevelopGREEN, NAIOP's Green Task Force (GTF) convened to discuss new topics related to sustainability - including upcoming state ordinances that could affect the way developers report the impacts of their projects during the environmental review process; the need for more emphasis on LEED innovation points; and how the industry should address climate change.

The GTF is an outstanding committee, and I thank the members for their participation. I would also like to personally recognize NAIOP President Thomas Bisacquino for his role in leading NAIOP to the forefront of the industry on sustainable development, as NAIOP is steps ahead of peer organizations.

Pan-American Summit
In June, I plan to join several industrial leaders from across the county in Mexico City for the inaugural Pan-American Summit, held in conjunction with AMPIP (Mexican Association of Industrial Parks). The Summit is designed to advance the dialogue within Pan-American commercial real estate communities to promote relationships and share market knowledge between those with international interests.

I'd like to thank Bob Cutlip for his leadership as co-chair of the Summit, and recognize the following NAIOP members who will be presenting at the event: Jos‚ McNeil, principal, Headwaters Development Co., and Neil Doyle, executive vice president of infrastructure, CenterPoint Properties.

Capitol Hill Meetings on Infrastructure
Transportation and infrastructure are two of the issues that I'm heavily focused on during my tenure as Chairman. To that end, on April 16, I had the pleasure of meeting with members of Congress and staff who play instrumental roles in maintaining the nation's infrastructure.

cartoonMy meetings included House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.); staff from the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; and staff from the office of John Mica (R-Fla.), ranking member on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

During the meetings, I was able to highlight NAIOP's position on the issues of transportation infrastructure needs and goods movement, in advance of next year's reauthorization of TEA-21, an act to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs and transit programs. We also offered NAIOP's assistance in helping to educate their committees and other Senate and House members on the economic importance of dealing with our transportation issues.

In Closing
As our industry - and the nation's economy as a whole - continues to experience challenges, I want to emphasize the key role that NAIOP plays for its members in a softening economy. Staying involved in NAIOP will continue to help members develop connections and refine the knowledge that will be critical in the next market up-swing. I continue to be encouraged by the strength of our members and chapters, all supporting NAIOP as the top real estate trade organization delivering unmatched education, networking and political involvement on the Federal and state levels.

Alan J. Beaudette
2008 NAIOP Chairman of the Board

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