March 2016
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Now Trending: Professional Development and You!

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New members, new ideas, new formats—BOMA/NY’s Professional Development Committee is ramping up the way it shapes and delivers this year’s seminar program so you can stay ahead of the many demands of being a top-flight CRE professional today.

Its first step was to survey all BOMA/NY members to hear your needs and interests. And those responses are in the mix right now in the first seminar of the year: April 20th's Cybersecurity: How Vulnerable are Your Building and Company Operations? It will arm you with knowledge and the immediate steps you can take concerning one of the biggest security, operational and financial issues facing our industry today.

To learn more about how BOMA/NY will partner with you to enhance your professional development and success, BOMAfacts spoke with Tom Krol, LEED AP, of Donnelly Mechanical, who now chairs the committee and is shown here.

Q. Tom, tell us about the new directions for the committee and the seminars?

A. The survey was a critical first step. We sent it to all of the membership and included some suggested topics to rate. We also requested that they send us ideas and subjects that are important to them. It went well and we received some great comments—very exciting. Feedback and ideas are the lifeblood of this committee; the concept driving us is to listen to the membership and deliver on their ideas.

Q. Anything new in the topics or format?

A. Most of us learn best in interactive formats, so you’ll see much more of that in the panel discussions; they will be more conversational, with more time for Q&A. We’re also placing renewed emphasis on technology and integrating it into current industry trends. As for the panels, we want the perspective of all topics to be covered from various angles....typically, a subject matter expert, a real estate professional, and an experienced vendor/consultant. We want to present a balanced approach presenting the pros and cons of actual application.

Q. Tell us more about the committee team?

A. We’ve recruited some new members with a wide range of experience. One thing they all have in common is a passion to make these seminars timely and relevant to the situations faced by today’s property managers. As Jim Kleeman, our BOMA/NY president, says: "It’s your BOMA/NY—get involved." Our group takes that to heart and is enthusiastically getting involved!