Fierce office business center industry competitors play nice

On a winter evening back in 2005, four people, three of them direct competitors in the office business center industry, got together over drinks and finger foods to discuss the possibility of forming a local network of like-minded individuals. That was the beginning of what has become no less than a phenomenon and an unprecedented example of the ability to achieve, and the benefits of, the honest and open sharing of ideas and best practices among often fierce competitors in the office business center industry. It did not take long for that initial meeting to morph into what is now the Office Business Center Association of New York (OBCANY). In fact, within a few months, a dozen office business center operators had signed on to be part of the fledging association. By then, OBCANY had not only developed its charter, but created a code of ethics and client bill of rights as the centerpiece of the group's philosophy. OBCANY proudly displays this document on its Website: www.obcany.com where visitors can also link to the various locations. OBCANY now represents 40 locations around New York City and vicinity and has members serving on various committees. "This is truly a team effort, with many individuals doing their part to make the association a success," said Melanie Morrissey, of Rockefeller Group Business Centers, and the association's current executive director. Since its inception, regular meetings have been held that include networking, discussions of marketing and promotion, technology demonstrations, market analysis, and a host of other topics. Charles Coy, of Prime Office Centers, is the current secretary for OBCANY, and faithful attendee of these meetings. He said, "I think these regular, face-to-face meetings, have contributed greatly to each member and, consequently, benefited all of those who rent from our facilities." Ray Lindenberg of Select Office Suites, the former secretary of OBCANY and its current communications director, has spearheaded efforts to educate segments of the commercial real estate industry about office business centers and how this "value added" service benefits the businesses community. He sees this as one of the association's most important mandates. OBCANY members range from heavily staffed to light, high tech to low, large and small. They consist of a cross section of 90% of the independent operators of business centers in New York City, even extending its representation to New Jersey and Westchester. Visit www.obcany.com to view the list of participating Office Business Centers. Zach Adams is a freelance writer, New York, N.Y.