HERNDON, Va., April 20, 2010 – In response to shifting demographics among the commercial real estate industry, NAIOP has created a Developing Leaders (DL) Diversity Task Force. The group will examine diversity's role in the development industry and how NAIOP can further expand its efforts in support of various initiatives towards its mission of advancing responsible commercial real estate development.

The DL Diversity Task force comprises 13 NAIOP DL members, aged 35 and under. It is led by co-chairs Megan Creecy, leasing and development manager with EJM Development Co. in Scottsdale, Ariz. and Erica-Nicole Harris, project manager with WISPARK, LLC in Milwaukee, Wis.

Creecy and Harris directed the task force in promptly establishing a mission statement to guide their diversity objectives and future projects: "The Developing Leader Diversity Task Force facilitates the development of strategies and ideas to position NAIOP and the commercial real estate industry to attract and engage members that are diverse and reflective of the communities in which we work and live."

"NAIOP steadfastly supports diversity within our industry," said Thomas J. Bisacquino, NAIOP president. "We are committed to shining a spotlight on diversity and supporting women, minorities and younger generations as they increase in numbers and flourish in our industry. I'm proud of the work that the DL Diversity Task force is committing to this important business and cultural issue."

Diversity and inclusion are significant to NAIOP members and the commercial real estate industry because:

• Diversity increases the ability to effectively compete and respond to the changing demographics of decision makers.
• Commercial real estate yields greater innovation with diverse teams.
• Greater diversity ensures that the future of commercial real estate will gain talented individuals representing a wide variety of backgrounds.
• Businesses need to reflect the global nature of today's commercial real estate industry.
• Clients are diverse themselves and thus value diversity from their vendors.

The DL Diversity Task Force convened for the first time during NAIOP's Chapter Leadership and Legislative Retreat in Washington D.C., with a second meeting planned in April during NAIOP's National Forums Symposium in San Francisco. In addition, task force members will continue to meet monthly via conference calls.

For further information about the DL Diversity Task Force and its work, please contact Sarah Milans, marketing manager, at (703) 904-7100 or milans@naiop.org.

About NAIOP

NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, is the leading organization for developers, owners and related professionals in office, industrial and mixed-use real estate. NAIOP comprises 15,000 members in North America. NAIOP advances responsible commercial real estate development and advocates for effective public policy. For more information, visit www.naiop.org.