Energized and Reinforced Love for Commercial Real Estate by Kacie Rahm

Energized and Reinforced Love for Commercial Real Estate

Written by Kacie Rahm, Emerging Professionals Scholarship Recipient

I was in a difficult mental space as I sat outside the gate, waiting to board my flight to Nashville for the BOMA 2022 International Conference. I had recently started a new job, recovered from Covid-19 only days before, and now my flight was delayed. I had spent months looking forward to the Conference, so thankful that I had been awarded with the Emerging Professionals scholarship from BOMA Seattle King County, and yet I was struggling to drum up any enthusiasm in the crowded terminal.

A career in Commercial Real Estate has its ups and downs. Months of mounting chaos can be followed by lulls in excitement. However, when you have those triumphant successes, positive professional connections, and a-ha moments, they punctuate and overtake any potential slumps. I was immediately reminded of this, when a former coworker offered me a guest pass to the airport lounge so we could wait out our delayed flight in style together. My prior connections got me through that day, and that win informed my attitude for the rest of the week in Nashville.
I decided that my assignment for the duration of the Conference was to recharge my batteries. I ran myself ragged trying to make time for all the opportunities – Education Sessions, activities and presentations at the Expo, vendor events, the TOBY banquet, exploring Nashville – yet somehow, I felt energized by my packed schedule.

I was able to connect with my coworkers from all over the United States by touring One Nashville Place, a Unico property in Nashville’s central business district that is currently undergoing a phased renovation project. I was able to learn so much about Nashville as a market and how it contrasted with Seattle from this tour, as well as take in some scenic skyline views. It gave me hope that we will see a more robust return to office throughout the country, and that our job as Property Managers is to design a workplace that accommodates that return.

I also found inspiration at Music City Center, in the Education Sessions and the conversations they generated. I have been serving as the Chair of the TOBY Committee for BOMA Seattle King County for over 3 years and have always found the value in recognition programs. The TOBY Masterclass session was extremely interactive and gave me so many fresh ideas for how to move forward and continue supporting entrants from my BOMA Local chapter. On top of Education Sessions like that one, there were some transformative Keynotes, which talked about building a culture of inclusion, ethics, and strong leadership to help us weather the challenges in the workplace predicated by low occupancy.

Nashville is a very walkable city, and between all the education and activities of the Conference, I took the time to climb four flights of stairs at the Honky Tonks, wander through Printers Alley, dodge Bachelorettes on Broadway, and stroll across the pedestrian bridge to take in the scenery. Attending the BOMA International Conference reinforced my love for Commercial Real Estate and all the opportunities it affords us, and I am so glad I pulled myself out of the doldrums in time to experience it!