NAIOP in Action
Committees Keep Ball Rolling
NAIOP Southern Nevada can look back with pride on nearly a quarter of a century of service and dedication. A strong, active membership continues to propel the organization into the spotlight, receiving well-deserved recognition for excellence in virtually every arena.
Pooling proficiency and resources, local leadership and committees organize events, spearhead legislative actions and cultivate community relations. It’s been said, “If you need something done, ask a busy person to do it.” The validity of this old adage is apparent when considering the untold hours volunteered by committee chairs and members whose professional lives are equally full and demanding.
It’s a synergistic alliance, an example of teamwork at its best with committees that are comprised of successful, focused, active professionals, who jump in with enthusiasm and whole-hearted commitment. A driving force within a powerful organization; these committee members epitomize NAIOP in Action!
In-Sync Links
Communications Committee
The goals of the communication committee have always been to provide information to NAIOP members, educate the community on chapter events and showcase the accomplishments of members.
Dawn Perkins, the committee chair says, “The primary goals of the committee have not changed, just the way we are accomplishing them. This year subcommittees have been created in order to get more people involved and enable committee members to focus in areas of their expertise.”
The interactive sub-committee, headed by Nieya Anjomi, focuses on maintaining and improving the NAIOP website and taking the organization into the realm of electronic social media. With Anjomi’s expertise in the online arena, NAIOP will be developing Linked In and Facebook accounts as well as creating new ways to advance the NAIOP website. The website garnered national attention as the recipient of the 2009 Technology Merit Award at the National Chapter Merit Award Ceremony in February.
The resource sub-committee, headed by Dennis Balletto, was created to strengthen communication among committees. With the help of Balletto, the communication committee is kept abreast of current happenings and is able to report back to the full membership and community.
Allen Grant is leading the charge with the NAIOPNow sub-committee. In 2009, the quarterly newsletter will undergo some changes. With two issues planned for electronic delivery and two printed in the traditional method, the communication committee is doing its part to become ‘greener’ while also moving to a popular digital format.
Another significant project the committee has recently acquired is the NAIOP Re-Branding Campaign.
“The newly updated NAIOP brand identity represents continued future growth, strength, and opportunity for the organization,” says Perkins. “The new NAIOP extends beyond the product types of office and industrial. NAIOP is now inclusive of everything in the field of commercial real estate. It is the committee’s goal to reach out and educate the commercial real estate industry on this significant change.”
Learning Curve
Education Committee
Always a top priority for the organization, education in all its various forms continues to be a primary focus for NAIOP Southern Nevada. To this end, the Education Committee, chaired by David A. Jones, helps members achieve their goals by offering edifying seminars, forums and programs that provide tools and information to promote professional growth.
“We try to provide timely information regarding what’s happening in the community or in development today,” explains Jones. “For instance, one of our most popular series is the Navigating the Municipalities Workshop. Our members spend one morning with each of the municipalities (Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Clark County) specifically with the development arm of each of these entities. Members have the opportunity to learn about and get a better understanding of the process from entitling land to actually getting the building permit. It’s a sneak peak into how each individual municipality operates and allows members to become familiar with online software used by each group.”
Webinars are another way of providing information to the membership.
“We have access to some of the national NAIOP educational programs,” says Jones, “so members can participate in a webinar to find out what’s going on nationally in commercial construction.”
The committee also works closely with the LIED Institute for Real Estate Studies serving as the liaison for NAIOP Southern Nevada. The committee aids in the mentor program, partnering UNLV students with industry professionals. Over the years, through time and monetary donations, the chapter has helped make it possible to offer courses in commercial real estate. This commitment to education extends beyond current members to reach the next generation of industry leaders. Since 1993, a scholarship endowment with the UNLV Foundation has helped further the educational goals of deserving students.
“Our goal is to get members what they need when they need it,” says Jones. “Because this is an industry that continues to change we feel it’s our responsibility to keep our members up-to-date and informed.”
Next Generation Of Leaders
Developing Leaders Institute Committee
Another NAIOP Southern Nevada committee receiving accolades from NAIOP Corporate this year is the Developing Leaders Institute (DLI) committee. Presented with the 2009 Merit Award, this group’s focus is to assist in preparing members, age 35 years and under, for future leadership in the organization and successful careers in the commercial real estate industry.
According to Chair David Strickland, the committee’s main focus is the Developing Leaders Institute, an 18-month program designed to educate participants in every aspect of commercial real estate. The DLI curriculum includes sessions in the real estate development process, leadership training, public speaking and networking. The course of study is meant to help develop a peer group as well as offer access to and instruction by key decision makers in the Southern Nevada commercial real estate community. There is an application process which includes a commitment from the applicant as well as their company.
“DLI is such a unique program,” explains Strickland. “2008 was our inaugural class and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The 12-month course was expanded to 18-months this year with the addition of a few new classes. We try to further the knowledge of the DLI class participants, which is why we’ve added additional instructors this year as well as new courses which include a due diligence class and a class on negotiation.”
Mentoring the future leaders of tomorrow is a responsibility NAIOP Southern Nevada takes very seriously. DLI with its various classes is in its second year and Strickland says it’s gaining momentum.
“The DLI is a great way for young business men and women to get involved, be mentored by industry leaders and grow within NAIOP,” Strickland said.
Get With The Program
Program Committee
When you’re a thriving organization in the “entertainment capital of the world” it’s no small feat to keep the event roster interesting and compelling. But that’s precisely what Program Committee Chair Kristine Shattuck and her team accomplish throughout the year.
“It’s a challenge to provide programs that are beneficial without becoming too repetitive,” Shattuck explains.
Providing entertaining, insightful, and meaningful programs for various NAIOP events, the committee takes advantage of the wealth of local celebrities, dignitaries and industry experts, virtually ensuring a “packed house” every time.
“Our primary focus is to develop programs that are timely, contemporary and speak to the needs of our membership,” said Shattuck. “This committee has proven vital in putting forth unique ideas and genres, as we try to address the economic challenges we’re facing without becoming overbearing.”
Shattuck, who has served on the Program Committee for four years, took over the leadership role as chair in 2009.
Governmental Interaction
Government Affairs Committee
Over the years, NAIOP Southern Nevada has earned a reputation for its effective networking, events, and educational opportunities, but it’s an organization whose roots are firmly planted in government affairs. In fact, the chapter was formed in 1986, by a group of developers who saw the advantage in creating a unified voice to represent their interests in the community and with legislators.
As another legislative session draws to a close, the hard work of the Government Affairs Committee, led by John Ramous, needs to be acknowledged. Throughout the legislative session these members have worked hard to make sure NAIOP’s interests were represented.
Responsible for making recommendations to the NAIOP Board of Directors and its Commercial Real Estate Political Action Committee (CREPAC), the committee members obviously need to be informed and regularly updated by legislative contacts. In a very real sense, they are the gatekeepers with regards to NAIOP’s position on proposed policies as well as laws and ordinances on both local and state levels. The group places special focus on local Planning, Building and Public Works departments to identify issues of concern to the membership.
“We have a very good team,” notes Ramous. “We have been meeting at least once a week, communicating with our lobbyists Dan Musgrove and Mike Dayton in Carson City, and trying to be the eyes and ears for our chapter.“
A Word From Our Sponsor
Sponsorship Committee
In a chapter as active and involved as NAIOP Southern Nevada, the Sponsorship Committee plays a vital role. Headed up by Bill Wilson, this committee is charged with coordinating all major sponsorship opportunities.
With a broad range of sponsorships, it’s possible for every business to support NAIOP Southern Nevada in some capacity. A win-win proposition, opportunities range from supporting member mixers to the multi-level President’s Circle Sponsorships.
“Members are always looking for ways to get in front of other members and sponsorships offer an excellent opportunity,” observes Wilson. “Our committee really kicks into high gear in the fourth quarter, but our members have already put in a lot of time and effort. We’ve decided to try implementing a Call-A-Thon later in the year, reaching out to potential sponsors and members to inform them about our diverse sponsorship offerings.”
Members Only
Membership Committee
Sustaining an ever-growing roster of members for one of the largest NAIOP chapters in the country does not happen by accident, but rather through careful strategies, public relations, education and old-fashioned networking. The Membership Committee bolsters growth by attracting potential members through a variety of innovative and compelling means.
Committee participants reach out and meet with prospective members, serve as mentors and accompany new members to meetings. Those serving on the Membership Committee also encourage members to become involved with various committees and participate in as many activities as possible for a more rewarding experience.
“Members of our committee make a special effort to reach out to new members of NAIOP Southern Nevada,” explains Membership Committee Chair Jeric Leavitt. “It’s important for these new members to know that we’re excited to have them aboard and that we’ll help them find the right niche. We let them know how they can become more involved and help them get to know other members.”
“Our member-only mixers are an excellent way of getting to know one another and for new members to become better acquainted with the organization and see value in their membership,” he continues. “We try to make these mixers fun and interesting by hosting them from a variety of local ‘hotspots’.”
Officially, the duties of this committee are to maintain the current NAIOP membership, expand membership and increase the level of member involvement.
“Sustaining our membership is particularly challenging when the economy takes a downswing,” Leavitt admits. “It makes our role that much more important”
Often the very size of an organization can feel intimidating to new members, but the Membership Committee and members at large are always available to help new recruits ease into the group and discover the many benefits of membership.
“We have a great group of people working very hard,” notes Leavitt.
In The Spotlight
Spotlight Awards Committee
Probably one of the most anticipated nights of the year, and certainly one of the biggest highlights for the chapter, is the Spotlight Awards event.
Since its inception, this evening of accolades has continued to grow with greater attendance and increased enthusiasm. Often referred to as the “academy awards” for commercial development projects, the Spotlight Awards honor companies and individuals for projects built during the prior year. All the planning and coordination of this festive event, falls to the members of the Spotlight Awards committee. This year the group was headed up by Co-Chairs Grace Ferrell and Fara Karr.
“I really enjoyed working with everyone on our committee,” says Karr. “They are an amazing group of people who proved their dedication many times over. Our volunteers continued their commitment to the event and the chapter, regardless of their current job situation.”
The Spotlight Awards offer an evening where Nevada’s dignitaries and leading real estate industry professionals can come together to acknowledge peers and celebrate their accomplishments.
“The process itself is very much committee driven,” explains Chapter Executive, Katrina Bruce. “We have a very creative group of people who come up with truly unique themes helping to make the event even more fun.”
Some of the awards presented include: Principal Member, Associate Member, Broker of the Year, as well as commercial projects. Winners are determined by a distinguished panel of out-of-state judges who base their decisions on the highest standards of development, with consideration to use requirements as well as environmental and social context.
“The chapter also recognizes members, companies, and teams under its industry awards,” notes Ferrell. “These winners are chosen based on nominations from the general membership and decided upon by the board.”
Caring Conscience
Community Service Committee
A perennial favorite within the organization, the Community Service Committee raises spirits along with much needed funds. Since its inception in 2006, this group has focused on supporting non-profit organizations that aid children and seniors. Last year, they established the Casey Jones Fund through the Henderson Community Foundation with a two-fold purpose.
“Casey Jones was one of our chapter’s most dedicated members,” explains Community Service Committee Chair, Barbara Demaree. “The Casey Jones Fund is meant to honor him by providing money, time and resources to assist needy children and seniors.”
Partnering with Community in Schools and Helping Hands of Vegas Valley, the committee has been extremely effective in generating funds, collecting much-needed groceries, and providing scores of volunteers.
Perhaps the most ambitious project currently underway is the Casey Jones Health Center located at Elaine Wynn Elementary. Groundbreaking for the center, which will offer free health care to children under the age of 18, is scheduled for the third quarter of 2009.
The project will be entirely donated by NAIOP members, with construction materials, labor and monetary donations to cover other expenses.
“Obviously we’re very proud and very excited,” says Demaree. “So many have contributed to making this dream a reality, but there are four partners who have been absolutely critical. They include: Wright Engineering, Slater Hanifan Engineering, Crisci Builders and Pugsley, Simpson, Coulter Architects. We never would have been able to get this far without them.”
Other projects the committee is working on include food drives providing groceries for seniors and children as well as the “Backpack Project” which provides homeless children with backpacks filled with school supplies, snacks, and other necessities.
“Our committee members are wonderfully dedicated people whose biggest thrill is seeing the results of our endeavors,” Demaree notes. “And I’d like to acknowledge the hard work of the entire group. Everyone has been dedicated and tireless which just shows what can be done when we all work together.”
To emphasize her point she quotes Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people could change the world.”
Taking It To The Streets
Bus Tour Committee
Perhaps one of most widely recognized NAIOP events is the annual Bus Tour. As the name implies, members are taken on a sightseeing tour of various commercial, industrial, retail and office spaces throughout the greater Las Vegas valley. Scheduled for early October, this year’s event promises to be entertaining with a few surprises according to committee chairs, Bruce Follmer and Danielle Basson.
“We’ve been throwing ideas around,” says Follmer, “we do know that this year’s Bus Tour will be exciting with lots of new aspects. Of course it’s more than just the tour itself, there’s the mixer and the exhibits. It’s really grown into a wonderful event. We want to just make sure we keep the momentum going, we want to shake things up and make the members excited to participate.”
His co-chair agrees. “Over the last few years the Bus Tour and surrounding events have grown into something everyone looks forward to,” says Basson. “This year we’re happy to welcome several retail developers who have been wonderful NAIOP supporters over the years and now, because NAIOP has expanded to include retail, are members as well. I can promise you, it will be a lot of fun for everyone.”
Not only is the Bus Tour an excellent opportunity to visit projects developed by peers, but it’s also a great excuse to get out of the office, mix with friends and associates and take a “hands-on” approach to understanding our regions industry.
Going Green
Sustainable Development
Led by Co-Chairs Randy Barnes and Miriam Campos-Root, the Sustainable Development Committee serves as a proactive resource to the NAIOP membership by sharing knowledge and best practices, as well as evaluating new products, strategies and incentives identified as a benefit to all Nevadans. The Sustainable Development Committee meets monthly and frequently invites guest speakers to elaborate on pertinent topics.
“It’s my understanding,” says Campos-Root, “that we are one of the few NAIOP chapters to have a Sustainable Development Committee. Ours has grown to include more than 60 members, which is indicative of the level of interest.”
The team has been working with other chapter committees on two very important events.
“We’re working with the Education Committee to present a panel focusing on the legislative results of regulation of the stimulus money coming down the pipeline for the state of Nevada,” says Barnes. “The panel will include experts who have been following that and who will present suggestions as to how those monies might be best utilized. We’re also going to be working jointly with the chapter’s program committee to form a green panel for one of our breakfast meetings. This panel will be comprised of developers, contractors and others who have been involved with green projects so they might offer members some insight and current information.”
The committee is busy planning tours, webinars and other informative platforms that will offer detailed and specific information on how to incorporate sustainable elements to virtually any project.
“We are very appreciative to everyone on the committee,” says Barnes. “Our chapter and our members have made unbelievable progress in our efforts to support and grow sustainable development.”
On Par For Success
Golf Tournaments
Boasting more than three dozen courses throughout the Las Vegas valley, (the largest concentration of golf resorts and clubs in the entire state) it just stands to reason that one of the largest, most active professional organizations would host a couple of tournaments each year.
