NAIOP Developing Leaders Programming:
Offering Solutions to Professional Challenges

Mentoring Programs
Networking Meetings
Property Tours
"Lunch and Learn"
Dinner with a Winner
Bus Tours
Presentations with Q&A
Education for Career Advancement
Social Events
Team building retreats
Continuing Education Units
Partnering with Other Peer Organizations
State Legislative Day at the Capitol
Community Service Ideas
University Challenge

• The Colorado Chapter's robust mentoring program provides younger NAIOP members with an opportunity to learn different aspects of the commercial real estate industry by matching them with an experienced professional. The mentors provide career and professional advice with an eye on the mentee's future success. Applicants must agree to meet with their mentor at least once every other month for the one-year term. Mentors work from the chapter's "Tips for Success," which offer specific strategies for a mutually beneficial relationship. (Contact Kathie Barstnar: (303) 782-1500)
  
  

• The Chicago Chapter kicked off its DL program with a networking event. About 100 35-and-under professionals attended. A chapter board member donated marketing help from his company to create an eye-catching e-mail invitation for new prospects. (Contact Cynthia McSherry: (773) 472-3072
  
  
• The Massachusetts Chapter gets a big turnout at their networking events, which include breakfast meetings. One recent gathering was sponsored by a law firm, and featured four accomplished business leaders discussing their own experiences, and showing new professionals where their careers could take them in the next ten years. (Contact Fran Shifman: (781) 453-6900, ext. 2)
  
  
• In the Southern Nevada Chapter, monthly networking mixers give new attendees a chance to meet NAIOP board members. (Contact Katrina Ferry: (702) 798-7194)
  
  

• In May, 2007, the San Diego chapter's DL group hosted an exclusive tour of the Intuit Building, followed by a reception with Steve Scott and Mike Nelson of Kilroy Realty. (Contact Karen Burgess: (858) 509-4110)
  
  

• At NAIOP's San Diego chapter, "Lunch and Learn" events are popular. Developing Leaders are invited to spend their lunch hour at a sponsor company's conference room. NAIOP provides a casual lunch and a local business leader's presentation of a key topic. (Contact Karen Burgess: (858) 509-4110)
  
  

• NAIOP's Massachusetts Chapter arranges occasional small dinners where eight DL members can consult with a senior executive or other business leader in a relaxed and conversational setting. (Contact Fran Shifman: (781) 453-6900, ext. 2)
  
  

• The Utah Chapter uses its Annual Real Estate Bus Tour in September as a way to reach out to its Developing Leaders and establish mentoring relationships. Current and potential NAIOP Developing Leaders are matched with "Bus Tour Mentors," seasoned NAIOP real estate professionals. The experienced professionals/mentors spend the day with the Developing Leaders (on the bus, at breaks and at the bus tour luncheon) to discuss careers, the industry and their questions. The tour is a successful way to build a stronger base of Developing Leaders members in the Utah Chapter. (Contact Melissa Clyne: (801) 486-6763)
  
  

• In February, 2007, the DL program at the San Diego chapter of NAIOP hosted a mixer event featuring Dennis Cruzan of Cruzan/Monroe as keynote speaker. Mr. Cruzan shared his personal and professional experiences. His key messages emphasized work ethic, intelligence, and interpersonal skills, as well as learned behaviors such as integrity, passion, communication, mentoring, and philanthropy. (Contact Karen Burgess: (858) 509-4110)
  
  
• In July, 2007, the chapter's "Lunch and Learn" series featured a presentation on "Development 101" with guest speaker Michael W. McNerney, Senior Vice President of Lowe Enterprises Real Estate Group. (Contact Karen Burgess: (858) 509-4110)
  
  

• The South Florida chapter's DL program emphasizes education, with a quarterly seminar that attracts approximately 50 professionals. Well-recognized speakers highlight information essential to business success, such as legal aspects of contracts, income expense analysis, getting and keeping deals, business etiquette, and other topics. (Contact John Parr: (954) 938-2137)
  
  
• Emphasizing three components — personal development, professional expertise, and networking — Southern California's approach to education is highly structured to give young professionals the skills base they need for their future. The intensive 12-month program covers many of the same areas as an MBA curriculum and is offered to 35 applicants per year. Now in its third year, ownership of the program is currently being transferred from the chapter committee to the first year graduates, who are still active participants in NAIOP and uniquely prepared to mentor current and future program participants. (Contact Cynthia Fusco: (714) 979-9131)
  
  
• Southern Nevada is working on a program to mirror SoCal's approach to education, with a series of 12 monthly four-hour seminars on topics such as professional roles, market analysis, site selection, financing, architecture, investment analysis, local trends, presentation skills, and more. An awards dinner highlights the conclusion of the year-long program. (Contact Katrina Ferry: (702) 798-7194)
  
  

• Washington State, Vancouver, Oregon is a region where NAIOP enjoys a strong reputation and presence. Developing Leaders get together at restaurants, bars, and offices to meet area professionals and learn more about the field in a relaxed atmosphere. (Contact Eric Featherstone: (206) 382-9121)
  
  
• The Nashville chapter kicked off its DL program in August 2007 with a strong theme: "The Commercial Real Estate Industry is more than what you know ... it's who you know." Their launch event was co-sponsored by an investment company and featured hors-d'oeuvres and complimentary beverages. (Contact Hollie Cummings: (615) 500-8193)
  
  
• The South Florida Chapter's Developing Leaders enjoy regular networking socials at a favorite martini establishment. Though older chapter members may join them in small numbers, attendees are mostly in the 35-and-under group. (Contact John Parr: (954) 938-2137)
  
  

• Chapters in both SoCal and Southern Nevada are benefiting from team building retreats, some of which are hosted by Dr. Wayne Strom, a well-known executive coach. The retreats are designed to enrich participants with an emphasis on teambuilding, ethics, and leadership skills. (Contact Cynthia Fusco: (714) 979-9131 and Katrina Ferry: (702) 798-7194)
  
  

• The CREW Network is dedicated to advancing the success of women in commercial real estate and achieving parity in opportunity, influence and power within the industry.
  
  
• The U.S. Green Building Council is a community of cross-disciplinary leaders working together to transform the design, construction and operation of buildings and communities. Their goal is healthy, responsible, and prosperous environmental innovations that improve quality of life.
  
  
• The American Institute of Architects believes that good design makes a difference. For 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes.
  
  

• On April 23, 2008, Developing Leaders of the Colorado Chapter of NAIOP held a State Legislative Day at the Capitol event in Denver. Approximately 35 members were in attendance for the inaugural event, which included meetings with members of the Colorado General Assembly.
  
  

• The Minnesota Chapter is building on its 3-year-old University Challenge program. Three universities participate, and a forth is coming on board. In raising the program's profile, the chapter is working to integrate the University Challenge into the chapter's mainstream programming.
  
  
• 2008 will be the third year for the North Texas Chapter's University Challenge, where six school teams compete for scholarship prizes up to $10,000. Teams have just 5 days to create their proposals, and present to a panel of nine judges who participate each year. In addition, NAIOP committee liaisons are alumni of the schools they work with, and are available to mentor their schools' teams. The only scholastic real estate competition in Dallas, the Challenge attracts enthusiastic participants, judges, and audience members.
  
  
• The Washington State/Vancouver/Oregon Chapter's University Challenge has been up and running since 2003. Four university teams compete on real-world problems, and recently, one student team's proposal was implemented as an actual solution selected by a developer.
  
  
• The Georgia Chapter's School Challenge is in its 16th year. A volunteer-intensive event, it involves five universities and a top prize of $5,000. The teams are judged 60% on their written proposal and 40% on their oral presentation. All participants have their resumes published in a commemorative book that they receive after the competition.
  
  
• The SoCal Chapter is a nine-year veteran of the University Challenge, and focuses on the dynamic rivalry of the two prominent universities in their area: USC and UCLA. The two schools compete with an in-depth verbal presentation for the judges, a written presentation that includes financial analysis, and an abbreviated audience presentation. This year's challenge focuses on the historic preservation of the airplane hangar complex where Howard Hughes' famous Spruce Goose was built.
  
  
• The Central Ohio Chapter has developed a strong partnership with the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University, which offers a program in Real Estate. The NAIOP chapter sponsors the school's Real Estate Society, and allows students to attend NAIOP events for free or at a reduced charge. Student interest and participation is increasing yearly. As an alternative to a formal mentoring program, the close association with the college is allowing many professional relationships to flourish, and graduates have a natural conduit for joining NAIOP as Developing Leaders when they start their careers.