Justify Your Attendance

If you're like many people who attend this important conference every year, you rely on your company to cover the expenses of attending and you need a stamp of approval before funding is released to enable you to attend.

Use this Sample Budget Worksheet to illustrate the value of attending.  Combine this with the resources tailored for your area of expertise, whether you are a Property Manager, Asset Manager, Facility Manager or Building Engineer, to help you make the case to attend the one event that will give you the advanced strategies and specific tactics to benefit your building.

What's the best strategy for acquiring funding approval? The tips and ideas provided here are designed to help you make a strong and effective case for attending the 2019 BOMA International Annual Conference & Expo in Salt Lake City. Use any or all of them to suit your unique situation.

1. EMPHASIZE THE BENEFITS OF ATTENDING.

Talk to your supervisor about how your organization can profit from the new ideas, information, connections and innovations you'll acquire as a result of attending. Here are some key points:

• "I can find new ways to save the company money." The new strategies, best practices and innovative solutions available here will help increase operational performance, reduce costs and boost NOI—potentially offsetting the costs of attending.
• "This is the best way to compare and evaluate vendors." If you're in the market for a specific product or service, the Expo is an unbeatable one-stop resource that enables you to source new suppliers, talk directly to top manufacturers, work all your options and make the smartest buying decisions—all in one place.
• "The educational opportunities are the best in the business." The insights you'll gain, information you acquire and expert advice you get can be put to use in your own buildings to help heighten asset-performance, maximize efficiencies and increase profitability.
• "I can learn all about the latest innovations we need to stay competitive and profitable." As the commercial real estate industry's premier event, the BOMA Conference & Expo is a showcase of all the newest technology solutions, leading-edge products and innovative service offerings. No need to look elsewhere for the energy-saving, cost-cutting ideas that will keep your company on top of its game.
• "We can solidify our relationship with the companies who are already doing business with us." By getting to know your suppliers better, you can build collaborative partnerships that result in enhanced service, more responsive solutions—and bigger savings.
• "What I gain from three days here would take months to acquire any other way." Piecing together an experience that's equivalent to the BOMA Conference & Expo would be almost impossible—and would keep you out of the office much longer and cost much more than this one quick trip to Salt Lake.
• "Our entire team will benefit." Is your expertise different from your colleagues? Are there overlapping sessions and events that you can tag-team? BOMA education and networking opportunities benefit professionals at all levels, and can provide an excellent opportunity to advance your company's performance across the board.
• "I need to learn the ropes." If you're new to the industry, this event is the best way for you to make connections that can help you be more effective in your position.
• "Our competitors will be there." By joining them, you'll stay abreast of the industry, learn more from your peers and maintain a level playing field.

2. DEMONSTRATE HOW YOU INTEND TO SPEND YOUR TIME.

Put your plan on paper to show your supervisor that your trip to the BOMA International Conference & Expo will be productive:

• Use the Schedule of Events to build an agenda that includes seminars, networking functions and the Expo.
• Study the Education Sessions and choose the ones that apply to your position, as well as your company's specific objectives.  
• If you purchase products and services for your company, check our the Exhibitor List for suppliers that offer what you need. Include the vendors you'd like to visit in the written plan that you show your supervisor.

3. CRUNCH THE NUMBERS TO ILLUSTRATE THE VALUE.

Your boss will want to know, not just what it costs to send you to the Conference, but what it's worth. Use the sample budget worksheet to break it down, and be sure to emphasize the $100 early-bird registration discount if you register by March 1 and $50 discount if you register between March 2 and May 15.

Other important considerations:

• Is money the make-or-break issue? If so, see if you can quantify the value of certain aspects of attending. For instance, can you attach a dollar estimate to the savings you negotiate in the Expo? How about the cost-cutting techniques you learn in the education sessions?

4. FOLLOW UP AFTER THE CONFERENCE

Assure your supervisor that you will give a full report on your conference activities upon your return. Your report should include:

• The sessions you attended, along with your evaluation of each.
• The vendors you visited.
• The products and services you learned about.
• The savings you realized by taking advantage of Expo discounts.
• News and information that you collected through networking, plus specific ideas and strategies you learned at the conference that will help your company save money and run a better, more profitable business.

We hope these ideas will be effective for you in getting your boss to say "yes" to the 2019 BOMA International Annual Conference & Expo. See you in Salt Lake in June!

A Day in the Life of a CRE Hero Video with our own Carlie Stogis; General Manager at JLL

To view the video in its entirety click here: 

This month we are conducting a beta test  of the CMCP - Certified manager of Commercial Properties . We are seeking the first 100 people to take the beta test and if they pass the exam they will receive a CMCP certification. To apply to take the test candidates will need to have:

• Four years of property management experience, or
• A two-year degree, plus two years of property management experience, or
• A four-year degree plus one year of property management experience
• 30 hours of education in commercial property management

There is no fee to take the beta test, but candidates are required to apply and submit documentation. Here are the required steps to apply for the CMCP beta-test exam:

1. To access the online application and other information, https://www2.bomi.org/CRECI or contact Commercial Real Estate Certification Institute (CRECI) Manager Michael Coleman, mcoleman@bomi.org.
2. Candidates are asked to indicate when and from where they received their degree (if applicable) and will need to request that a college transcript be sent to CRECI.
3. Candidates will also be asked to list industry work experience and employers, as well as list sources for at least 30 hours of continuing education. For the latter, certificates of completion or other proof of completion are required.
4. Once the application is approved, the candidate will need to schedule their exam at any Pearson Vue test center (CRECI site has more information on locations) and take the exam sometime between April 1 and April 20, 2019 (candidates will have two hours to complete the exam).

Exam candidates will receive information in advance to help them prepare for the exam. This will include details on various job competencies and skills that will be tested and the “works cited” list used to develop the exam questions. Candidates who pass the exam will receive the CMCP certification. Passing scores will not be known until after the beta test evaluation is complete, so candidates may not hear from CRECI until June or July.

 

 

As mentioned in previous issues of Weekly Connections, the Emerging Leaders Shared Interest Group has partnered with our 2019 charity, The Harbour, to bring our members a BOMA-exclusive, hands-on volunteer project! On Friday, May 3 our Emerging Leaders invite you to join them in their efforts to help renovate and refurnish one of The Harbour’s shelter sites, located in Des Plaines.

The project involves painting the site’s “Resource Room,” which is used for the young ladies to do their homework and apply to jobs. The project also includes the painting of additional bedrooms so the Emerging Leaders will need all hands on deck. Please take some time out of your busy schedules to give back for a great cause! Come for the whole day, half a day, or as much time as you can afford!  

Perhaps you can’t attend the Emerging Leaders Volunteer Project but would still like to contribute. That’s great! Here are some other ways to help.

These are photos of the Resource room and bedroom that need painting.

The Emerging Leaders have requested the following items:

• Paint
• Ladders/Step stools
• Paint brushes
• Paint rollers
• Painters tape
• Paint tray
• Drop cloths/plastic tarps
• Buckets
• Rags
• Paper Towels
• Garbage bags

By purchasing items on The Harbour’s Amazon Wish List, you can contribute to this project as well. Items marked as “Shelter Resource Room” will be used to furnish the room.

Please help BOMA/Suburban Chicago and the Emerging Leaders make this a successful volunteer effort!

Sign up to volunteer today!

BOMA International is currently accepting applicants for the BOMA Sustainability Scholarship.  This new scholarship, made possible with support from a grant provided by BOMA International Cornerstone Partner Yardi, will be awarded to five students or professionals studying or working within the sustainability field who share BOMA’s vision of energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.  It is intended to connect sustainability-minded individuals with the broad array of opportunities offered at BOMA International’s annual conference through the education sessions, networking opportunities and products and solutions featured on the trade show floor.

The scholarship will cover registration to the 2019 BOMA International Conference & Expo, as well as up $1,000 for associated costs, such as travel and lodging. There is no age or experience requirement for the scholarship, but applicants cannot have attended the BOMA International Conference & Expo previously.  Applicants do not need to be BOMA members. 

Applications are due April 15. To learn more information on how to apply, please click on this link:  Yardi BOMA Sustainability Scholarship.pdf

As you may be aware, BOMA/Suburban Chicago and its Government Affairs Committee have been monitoring a critical issue potentially affecting many of our members. In recent months, the Cook County Department of Revenue has been auditing private parking operators, related to a tax imposed on all parking lots and garage operations. Initially, the tax was intended for parking lot operators and valet services. However, the County expanded the scope of the ordinance and is now conducting audits on some suburban commercial office properties, including some of our members' buildings, leaving them with hefty bills for back taxes, interest, and penalties.

After extensive research, the Government Affairs Committee has concluded that a recent attempt by the County to reinterpret the parking lot tax and collect new revenue appears to be in violation of its own ordinance.

For more details regarding this ordinance, please read the Cook County Parking Lot and Garage Operations Tax Summary, provided by the Government Affairs Committee.

We are excited to announce our 2019 Charity, The Harbour!

The Harbour, Inc., located in Park Ridge, Illinois, is a non-profit organization and is licensed as a Child Welfare Agency in Illinois with authority to operate and supervise foster homes for youth. The Harbour serves North and Northwest Cook County area. The Harbour has served over 800 girls in their shelters since its inception in 1971. 

Their Mission is: The Harbour offers youth safety today and opportunities for a successful tomorrow.

Please help us support The Harbour clients by clicking on this link to visit their website and get involved or provide financial support. 

BOMA has earned an award from Constant Contact, our e-blast and e-news Campaign Provider, for being an All Star Community!

ASSET MANAGEMENT
Lease Analysis, Valuation, Negotiation, and Approval
April 17 & 18, 2019
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Don't miss this nine-module, two-day course, which is targeted for commercial real estate property managers with a minimum of 3-5 years of experience. This interactive course: 

• Focuses on asset management of investment properties, i.e. commercial real estate that is owned and operated solely as an investment for its owner.
• Is designed to help property managers better understand the function of the asset manager in order to be more valuable to the entire commercial team, from owner on down.
• Will help participants understand how different types of investors analyze an asset and make decisions.
• Examines the most efficient ways to work on the leasing process with the property management team, brokerage team, architects, engineers, designers, consultants, government regulators and inspectors, mortgage servicing team, and tenants.
• Provides course participants the opportunity to participate in a case study regarding the leasing process, serving the role of either the tenant or landlord in a mock lease negotiation, followed by group discussions and sharing team results.

See our Event Calendar for more information. 

Register Now! 

As the new year begins, BOMA/Suburban Chicago's 2019 Board of Directors took their place on January 1, 2019. They look forward to leading the association to continued success over the next year. Congratulations to the newly elected and returning Board members. 

Officers:  

President Catherine Carlson, RPA GlenStar Asset Managment, LLC	Vice President Christopher J. Wilimitis, LEED AP JLL
Secretary-Treasurer Kimberly DeFily, RPA American Landmark Properties	Immediate Past President Jennifer Sweeney Millbrook Properties

Directors: 

Maggie Amaya, RPA, FMA JLL	Suzanne Boryscka, RPA Lincoln Property Company
Daniel J. Flores, LEED AP Atomatic Mechanical Services, Inc.	Kita Harris, MBA, RPA Colliers International
Eric Hartmann Tovar Snow Professionals