Meaningful Connections and Invaluable Insights at My First BOMA Conference by Aidan Jensen

Meaningful Connections and Invaluable Insights at My First BOMA Conference

Written by Aidan Jensen, Emerging Scholarship Recipient

My experience at this year’s BOMA International Conference, hosted this year by Kansas City, was truly fantastic.  Being my first BOMA Conference, I was filled with excitement to explore all it had to offer. Education sessions, networking opportunities, and the expo provided an incredible opportunity to not only meet new industry partners but also connect with the Pacific Northwest cohort who had embarked on this journey alongside us.

Attending educational sessions, in tandem with their relevant and personally beneficial subject matter, brought a newfound appreciation for the issues and topics we tackle daily as a team. Education sessions like ‘The Future of Meeting Spaces’ and ‘Heat Recovery in Commercial Buildings’, provided a mix of relevant information, and expanded my knowledge base in areas I had not previously considered.  At each of the sessions, I met and heard from like-minded property managers dedicated to solving problems in an ever-changing commercial real estate landscape.  The conference provided a platform for exchanging experiences, best practices, and insights, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie.

Moreover, the conference served as an excellent networking opportunity, allowing me to create meaningful connections with industry partners and deepen my relationships with coworkers.  Engaging in discussions and sharing ideas with like-minded professionals expanded my network and provided me with invaluable insights to take back to Seattle with me.

One moment that surprised me was coming across a photo of the property our team manages.  As I glanced down at the industry partners’ expo table, I noticed an image of our building’s lobby.  Although the image was probably only 4”x3”, the moment evoked a mix of pride and gratitude for the reasons we came together at the conference.  Throughout the education sessions and numerous networking sessions, it was clear to me that everyone in attendance was there for the greater good of their properties and markets. Attending my first BOMA Conference, this moment exemplified the deep sense of passion that resonates throughout the commercial real estate industry for the buildings we manage.

We had so much fun, and of course got all dressed up for the TOBY Awards Gala to cap off the conference!