CREW Boston Convention
September 30 – October 3, 2009
Happy Birthday CREW Network!
KC CREW was represented by seven members at the 20th Anniversary celebration of the CREW Network during the annual convention held in Boston from September 30 through October 3, 2009. The convention was held in the Boston Back Bay area near theatre and great shopping.
Delegate meetings and leadership training comprised the first few days which were attended by delegates Diana Ennis and Kellee Dunn-Walters.
Local, regional and national speakers presented talks, lectures and interactive workshops on a variety of team building, professional development and real estate areas.
Thursday morning the entire group assembled for a discussion on the status of the real estate market in ‘point and counterpoint’ style by two former colleagues; Dr. William Wheaton of MIT and Dr. Tim Riddiough of the University of Wisconsin who provided the 2010 Economic Forecast. Most speakers agreed that commercial real estate will begin to slide in earnest in 2010 and should be capable of recovery by the end of 2012.
David Gurgen, advisor to Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Clinton was the Thursday luncheon speaker who shared his insights on Presidential politics over the years and applied them to the current administration. Abbey Joseph Cohen, President of Global markets Institute for Goldman Sachs was featured on Friday morning. Ivanka Trump spoke and was honored as an honorary 20 under 40 award winner with the others recognized throughout CREW Networks chapters. Friday morning featured Robert Langer, the holder of 750 issued and pending patents and one of our nation’s most celebrated engineers who stressed that innovation and ingenuity will lead the way for expansion in creating new commercial real estate development for office and manufacturing.
The relaxation massage station was again a big hit as was the new coffee and smoothie morning bar. The Wednesday opening reception and marketplace did not disappoint as vendors and members mingled and collected goodies and enjoyed great food and drink.
It is difficult to convey the meaning that attendance at these events can provide to you and your company and thereby our chapter! Perhaps these thoughts from our attending members can provide some insight: Karla Neuweg, a first time attendee and the recipient of one of our KC CREW leadership scholarships reports, “Boston was an AWESOME experience and I am very fortunate to have attended!” Another first time attendee, Julia Taylor commented, “I thought the entire convention experience was extremely relevant, timely, and motivating. Each program I attended gave me something to walk away with that will directly benefit my practice and the services I provide my clients. The convention was motivating in more ways that I can properly articulate, but just being around so many influential, successful, power and positive women and supportive men motivated and encouraged me that we all really can be successful in this industry, especially with the help of such a great organization.
On the leadership training CREW Network offers, our President-Elect Diana Ennis reports, “ Of prime importance is to develop leaders at every level and create a legacy by empowering others to keep learning, practice failing and live enthusiastically with big dreams and visions. Our succession plan is people; we must create a mood of enthusiasm, education and renewal. Keep learning, practice failing, get feedback, create and cultivate relationships – and recognize those who serve and do the yeoman’s work.”
Along with the keynotes and celebrities and scenic tours of the Boston metro attendees participated in sessions which covered economic development, working globally, retail and restaurant leasing, senior housing, LEED 2009, insurance tips and traps, tax talk and finance. Two major professional development sessions were hits on Thursday and Friday. CREW Network has already posted handouts from the concurrent, mini and professional development sessions that all CREW members can access on the Network Website. We invite you to take a peak and see what you missed!
In addition to leadership mentoring and roundtable initiatives that KC CREW will unveil in 2010 you have three network opportunities in 2010 for leadership training and participation. The Winter delegate meeting will be held in Tampa and the Spring meeting will be held in Minneapolis. The 2010 CREW Network Convention will be held at the end of October, 2010 in San Francisco. See you there!
Written By:
Michelle Suter
Commercial Law Group
2009 KC CREW Chapter President |
