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An Association and an Industry That Inspire Excellence
A true highlight of serving as your NAIOP chair for 2025 is visiting our chapter network across North America. I am extremely grateful to each chapter that has hosted me for their warm welcome and for sharing their priorities, successes and opportunities with me.
Visting our chapters renews my already deep appreciation for the incredible volunteer leaders and staff we have throughout our association. I’ve seen our chapters engaged in the detail of public policy and advocacy; mentoring and inspiring university students and new industry members; and sharing ideas and best practices together as professional colleagues.
Alex Thomson
This is the heartbeat of who we are as an association.
I chose “One NAIOP” as a theme for the year. A pillar of this theme is that we have much that unites us. This goes far beyond common pressures such as hosting dynamic events, engaging prospective and existing members, and addressing misconceptions about our industry.
I am inspired by the passion our chapters, staff and members show for achieving excellence. Well-executed commercial real estate projects have a tremendous impact on the communities in which we live and work. From coast to coast, I’ve witnessed our members leading and executing on projects that are best in class. More than once, I’ve instinctively taken my phone out to capture a few images.
Our strategic plan includes a priority to improve the public perception of our industry. These projects — and their substantial influence on job generation and economic growth in their communities — are the best evidence of what the commercial real estate industry truly represents.
On a less upbeat note, a universal topic in my chapter visits is the pressure we are facing due to economic stressors and ever-shifting public policy. An enduring reality of our business is the need to navigate constant change. Here again, working together as a unified association benefits us greatly, particularly when we can proactively address challenges and respond strategically to the unexpected.
Recently, I asked NAIOP Massachusetts to share its expertise and knowledge in government affairs, first with our executive committee and subsequently with our Canadian task force. Such idea sharing allows us to exchange best practices and knowledge; it also strengthens our industry by highlighting our reach. I always emphasize to policymakers on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border that the ownership and development of commercial real estate contributed $2.5 trillion (with a T!) to the U.S. economy in 2024. Furthermore, the Canadian edition of the Economic Impacts of Commercial Real Estate report, released in August, reported that the sector’s construction spending and ongoing operations generated $342.3 billion of economic activity in Canada in 2024.
Periods of great change can be the springboard for growing our skills, renewing our focus and connecting with our passions. I’ve had the opportunity to see our chapters engage top talent through university programs, mentoring programs and other opportunities for young professionals. Our Developing Leaders regularly demonstrate they are not only future leaders — they are actively leading today. Awards events in numerous chapters showcase not only great projects but great people. In one example of many, I remember an awardee being described as proof that someone can be exceptional at deal-making and highly successful yet still remain, above all, a great person.
I’m looking forward to visiting with many more of you as we round out the year. Whether at our conferences or during my chapter visits, please make time to say hello and share your thoughts with me. Each of us on the executive committee has made a commitment this year to be the most available members of NAIOP; we are eager to hear your ideas and recommendations.
That brings me to one final observation from my chapter visits: I’m constantly amazed at what is possible when our members recognize what can be done and commit to being part of the solution. Let’s move our industry forward together!
Alex Thomson, Founder, Prevail Consultants
2025 NAIOP Chair
