BOMA International Conference 2022 - NOW We Move Forward by Hannah Wetter

BOMA International Conference 2022 - NOW We Move Forward

Written by Hannah Wetter, 2022 DEI Scholarship Recipient

In June of this year, I had the great privilege of attending the 2022 BOMA International Conference and Expo in Nashville, TN as part of BOMA Seattle’s DEI Scholarship program. We brought an impressive presence to the Conference with nearly 50 attendees from the Seattle area market! Going into the Conference and Expo, I had no concept of just how impactful and promising the information I would be exposed to over the course of 4 days could be in looking toward future development and growth. Each one of the education sessions and keynote speeches left me with more questions and ideas for implementation strategies / plans that I could bring back to our local market to foster and promote on a tangible scale. I left the conference on such a hopeful note for the future of this industry and its workforce. I genuinely believe that there is reason to be excited for the impacts that we can make as a whole, especially regarding ESG and DEI progression.

Some of the most eye-opening sessions I attended revolved around achieving net zero carbon in large scale properties and sustainability as a service benefitting both occupants and operators. As someone who is very passionate about ESG principles and initiatives, I wanted to sit in on a handful of sessions to understand what the rest of the country is doing to address ongoing pushes for carbon net neutrality and creating positive, sustainable work environments for building occupants, owners, and communities. I was amazed by some of the efforts that have been demonstrated across the country to optimize buildings and seek new solutions for our ever changing and evolving world. I found it enlightening to experience how ESG is interpreted differently by each individual and that it is a tremendous benefit that as a collective we bring many voices and thoughts to the table. Creativity is one of our biggest assets and encouraging ongoing innovation and new ideas is one of our most vital needs to ensure ongoing growth and success. Bottom line, it was refreshing to see how many people were invested both on a personal and business level in driving forward change in commercial real estate.

Aside from the specific sessions I attended I was also very appreciative of and taken aback by the Expo vendor presence that was brought to the Conference. Walking the Expo floor allowed me to discuss new concepts, make connections, and further understand how different vendors have developed incredible products, services and ideas that can significantly improve the functionality, operations, and management of commercial assets. I am continually amazed by the advancement in smart building technology and the implementation of AI into building operations to streamline daily function for maximum efficiency and optimization. I hope to be able to continue to learn from BOMA’s distinct and comprehensive network of building management professionals and service providers so that I too, may be able to be a force for change and progression in this industry.