BOMA Utah receives International Award

In 2012, BOMA Utah embraced the opportunity to lead the local commercial real estate industry by enhancing what its association could accomplish on an advocacy level; the opportunities it could provide to members and taking charge of its efforts.

Prior to 2012, the Local Advocacy Committee consisted of two members. With the addition of new leadership, the Committee exploded to more than 15. The accomplishments the Committee has made in less than a year have been impressive.

The Committee’s first objective was to acquire a list of legislative issues and bills that impact commercial real estate, disseminate to the members and assign important issues to committee members to follow, monitor and report.  Each month the Committee members reported on the various issues and any changes or impact to the industry.

Members joined other industry professionals to represent the views of building owners and managers to government officials on the city, county, and state levels.  In addition, it is its goal to host a “BOMA Day” at the Capitol.

Various Committee members attended state hearings and met with state legislators to defend the rights of property owners and managers against proposed changes to the commercial real estate industry and the potential impact it could impose on members.  The Committee also invited legislators to attend the Committee’s monthly meetings.

In addition, the Committee Chair, with Board approval, offered an Advocacy 101 training class to the entire committee. This session covered how to’s, do’s and don’ts, plus etiquette. The lessons learned were put into action during the first local effort visiting Congressmen Bishop and Matheson as well as Senator Hatch.  In addition, we hosted a “Town Hall” luncheon with over 130 participants and representatives from the Utah State legislature.

The Committee has been transformed into one of the most effective and important committees representing BOMA Utah. The goal is to increase BOMA Utah’s presence at the state Capitol and become the source key legislators’ contact to discuss issues that could potentially affect commercial real estate, before passing legislation.