It’s hard to believe, but 2021 will be in our rearview mirror before we know it, and we will be faced with new and unique challenges once again in 2022. Fortunately, the Denver Metro Building Owners and Managers Association has continued to Rise to the Challenge by finding ways to share information about our industry and heighten people’s awareness about the measures being taken to protect and serve tenants and building owners. We did this by doing what we do best: Bringing our members together to discuss meaningful and thoughtful ideas and solutions.
These efforts are reflected in the Denver Metro BOMA mission statement: “Advance the commercial real estate industry through advocacy, professional development and exchange of knowledge.”
Dan Meitus, RPA, MBA
President, Denver Metro BOMA President and CEO, Elevate Real Estate Services
As we entered 2021, businesses and industries were challenged with adversity and plenty of questions, and our industry was no different. Health, safety, and security were at the top of everyone’s list as we were all confronted with the uncertainties and risks associated with the pandemic. Much was accomplished in 2020 to better understand the pandemic and to establish protocols that would keep building tenants safe and building owners confident that every possible scenario was being considered and addressed. With that foundation in place, Denver Metro BOMA has continued to take measures to rise to the challenges that still exist today. While the pandemic continues to be the primary headline, BOMA hosted multiple coffee chats and webinars to keep members apprised of the other issues facing the industry. Issues such as homelessness, public safety workforce development, and the green tsunami.
In April, Denver Metro BOMA transitioned back to in-person networking events for our members as part of our networking and educational efforts. These interpersonal meetings are a critical way for all of our members – vendors and principals alike – to share information about our work and how we can all better serve one another and the properties we represent. Professional property management teams know that their properties can only be exceptional if they have an incredible group of vendor partners. BOMA takes great pride in the fact that our vendor partners are involved members of the organization and help support this great industry through the collaborative environment BOMA creates. BOMA member networking events included luncheons, speed networking, (an event where vendors have the opportunity to meet multiple principals and promote their services in a one-on-one setting), the annual DenverMetro BOMA golf tournament, and the emerging professionals group, which is a mentoring program for those new to the industry.
As a way to keep our members even more informed, Denver Metro BOMA actively gathered all the information issued by state and local jurisdictions regarding ongoing updates and mandates concerning the pandemic. All COVID-19-related information was posted on the BOMA website COVID-19 resource page: www.bomadenver.org/page/COVID-19ResourcePage. By doing this, our members had immediate access to important COVID-19 updates and were provided with information regarding how these changes might impact their work as well as their tenants’ businesses.
Maintaining a dependable and knowledgeable workforce is another challenge Denver Metro BOMA has risen to by helping our members with workforce development. We are helping to identify and recruit talent and have encouraged our members to actively engage in efforts to bring more talented people into our industry. While the pandemic halted some planned initiatives, Denver Metro BOMA held multiple virtual industry panels for students at Denver Public Schools and Junior Achievement. We’re also working on a program to help with the recruitment of building engineers.
Additionally, Denver Metro BOMA leadership has met with civic and public-safety leaders – including the Mayor’s Chief of Staff, the Chief of Police, the Denver District Attorney and the Director of Public Safety, among others – to discuss the issues that are key to maintaining downtown and all of Denver as a thriving and desirable place to do business. These meetings helped our organization to stay better informed, while also providing us with valuable information to share with our members on what health and safety measure properties need to institute in order to safely bring people back to their office buildings.
The Denver Metro BOMA leadership team continues to go to great lengths to partner with other business organizations and interests. This has included engaging with the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, the Downtown Denver Partnership and local Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development. Denver Metro BOMA is also a board member of the Colorado Real Estate Alliance, a coalition of many industries that come together to discuss issues facing the industry. Issues like the Green Roofs and Polluters Must Pay ballot initiatives as well as a myriad of bills at the local and state level. By opening these lines of communication, these various organizations were able to share knowledge and ideas that will help us all continue to succeed in the months ahead.
Much has been accomplished during these past several months to rise to the challenges that confront us every day. Needless to say, there still is a lot that needs to be done. Whether you’re a building owner, a property manager, or a vendor partner serving the industry, we are all in this together; helping one another find solutions to problems and ultimately succeed. It’s now more important than ever to come together and continue to advance our industry as a whole.
My challenge to all of you is that we can only Rise to the Challenge if you get engaged, join a committee, communicate our great work to your ownership, write articles, and educate yourself by attending or teaching seminars and courses. BOMA can only work if we have the support of the industry, so if your building or company is not a member, ask why not!
It’s been my honor and pleasure to serve as the Denver Metro BOMA president in 2021, and to do all I can to overcome adversity, advance our industry, and continue to work toward achieving our many goals.
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