Historic Streets & Industry Insights: My Boston 2025 BOMA Conference Experience by Aysia Deru

Historic Streets & Industry Insights: My Boston 2025 BOMA International Conference Experience

Written by Aysia Deru, Unico Properties, BOMA Emergina Professional Scholarship Recipient

I had the great opportunity to attend the 2025 BOMA International Conference & Expo as this year’s Greater Seattle Emerging Professional Scholarship recipient. I’m incredibly grateful for this experience.

Expo Floor:
The expo floor was impressive in both size and variety. It was wonderful connecting with existing service partners while also meeting new ones. It was eye‑opening to see just how many different companies and services support our industry.

Seminars & Keynotes:
I was especially excited about the educational sessions offered. One highlight was the seminar, “AI‑Powered Property Management – Smarter, Faster, Better.” The room was completely full, and it was fascinating to hear different perspectives on AI, from cautious to optimistic. The session shared practical ways AI can assist us in our roles, while emphasizing the importance of critical thinking.

Another standout moment was the keynote speaker, Brad Meltzer, and his talk “What’s Your Legacy?” One of my key takeaways was that we often don’t realize the positive impact we have on others, both professionally and personally and that it’s important to express gratitude to those who’ve impacted us. This inspired me to reflect and reach out to thank a few people in my own life.

Networking & City Experience:
It was amazing to explore Boston’s rich history including walking part of the Freedom Trail with my coworkers. We also had a chance to enjoy the evening events hosted at local venues. These events were great opportunities to meet new industry professionals as well as connect with colleagues from my own company in a different setting.

Overall, this experience gave me new insights into topics like AI, expanded my industry network, and deepened my understanding of the role our work plays within the larger CRE community. I’m extremely thankful for this opportunity and would encourage others to apply in the future. It’s truly an incredible chance to learn, grow, and connect.