BOMA/NY on the front lines of building operations

"BOMA/NY, you play a critical role in the front line of operations," said New York City Council member (District #1) Alan Jay Gerson at the May BOMA/NY luncheon on the World Trade Center development status, "and I pledge to continue to collaborate with you so that together, we develop the best solutions for New York." With those words, the council member captured the essence of BOMA/NY. Our members are the leaders responsible for the operational health of the trillion-dollar New York skyline. They create productive working environments for the city's 3.5 million tenants. Through their day-in, day-out diligence, they protect the asset value of some of the world's most important real estate. Without their operational excellence, asset value degenerates and rent rolls deteriorate. Because of these responsibilities, BOMA/NY is on the front lines of operations and our industry as never before: advocating the industry's positions before governmental decision makers, creating a blueprint for operational for excellence through the Pinnacle Awards, providing education on key issues of the day as well as operational basics, and serving as a partner to all members for professional development. A few of our most recent accomplishments illustrate our commitment: * Our preparedness committee has filled an important need by compiling and publishing a scenario-based, self-study guide, Hi-Rise Drills for Building Staff. It supplements the study of those preparing for the Local Law 26 Emergency Action Plan certification, and helps all members of the building team - including vendors - to perform at the optimum level during a wide range of emergencies. * Our advocacy team is on the forefront of educating lawmakers on our concerns with the new legislation regulating chemical/biological/radiological detectors, or Int.650-A. We've testified at City Hall and met with legislators to explain the practical ramifications of the regulations, which were not considered when drafting the bill. We've called for performance-based language when defining instrumentation, recommended changing the permitting system to a registration system with the NYPD, requested a definition of liability and much more. Our practical input has changed the view of several decision-makers; we're prepared to change more. * Our Pinnacle Awards, one of the most rigorous competitions in any field, has proved to be a blueprint for managing to the highest level. With an increasingly sophisticated tenant base and rentals now over $100 per s/f, priority #1 is to manage to the best of our ability. Any Pinnacle nominee will tell you the competition process has made their building better—and it has made New York a leader once again in its field. When our Pinnacle winners competed against BOMA member buildings regionally, we won every category we entered: Time Warner Center for Operating Office Building over 1 million s/f, the Sony Building at 550 Madison for Corporate Headquarters, and the Ted Weiss Federal Office Building at 290 Broadway for the Earth Award and Government Building. And we're only just getting started. Already in the development stage is our Annual Conference, this year offering "roll up your sleeves" skills workshops and more, and you can look to BOMA/NY to lead on more governmental legislation affecting our industry. We have made enormous strides as a voluntary organization, and much of the credit rests on the shoulders of an extraordinary group of members who donate hundreds of hours, the best of their expertise and financial support. We have an ambitious agenda ahead and I firmly believe our best years are ahead. So I invite anyone who wants to help shape the future of our skyline to join us on the front lines. We're only a mouse click or a phone call away. Angelo Grima is the 2008 president of BOMA/NY.