talent, developing talent.There aren’t enough people to fill all of those jobs, so training them up is very important to us.” There is also a heavy focus on decarbonization and legislative efforts to promote high-performance buildings. A key legislative initiative that BOMA has been advocating for over the past three years is the Small Business Energy Loan Enhancement Act (HR 1491). This bipartisan bill seeks to increase the existing loan vehicle from $5 million to $10 million.“That would be a game changer for the kind of investment that needs to be made in building infrastructure,” he asserts. “It’s not a handout, we would pay that back. It’s a loan. But we think that those are the kinds of important resources needed for people who are trying to invest in the building stock to reach some of the goals that are in the marketplace.” As a community steward, BOMA is also tackling the challenges posed by increased property crime and the need for improved city services, particularly for the homeless. “We’re trying to get people back into their offices in bigger numbers. We’re somewhere between two and a half to three days in the office now,” depicts Chamberlain. “We’d like to have those environments that create the robust business communities we want to do business in.” With this in mind, the association is working with city governments to create environments that are safe and welcoming for both residents and businesses. BOMA also distinguishes itself as the only commercial real estate group involved in developing building codes, actively participating in committees with the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the International Code Council to set standards. “We participate in those committees so we can set appropriate bars for existing buildings for energy efficiency or ventilation or other operating issues,” Chamberlain outlines.“In new construction they can certainly start with whatever the new codes are, but existing building stock needs more of a bridge to make that happen.” BUILDING THE FUTURE Education has always been a pillar of BOMA’s offerings.Traditionally delivered through classroom settings, options range from foundational courses in property management to advanced certifications for real estate professionals. Today, BOMA offers a blend of in-person and online learning options, including self-paced and instructor-led courses. They are increasingly focusing on shorter modules that allow professionals to gain specific knowledge. “We’re creating a whole array of short courses online to allow you to build your certifications towards a designation,” portrays Chamberlain. BOMA’s annual conference, held in Philadelphia, 6 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 09
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