NYSCAR 9thAnnual Conference: A great success

By Joseph Rowley, Jr. I am pleased to report that the 9th Annual NYS Commercial Real Estate Conference held at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona was a huge success! 165 attendees took advantage of the outstanding networking opportunities and education programs. In addition to attendees from New York, there was representation from Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Texas, California, Florida, Ohio New Hampshire and Vermont. It is most gratifying that we had a great crowd in light of the challenging economic times that we all face. The attendees realize that this event is an unbeatable value and is well worth their time and support. John Lavelle (Hudson Valley) did a superb job serving as conference chairman. Each year we have a fantastic group of sponsors and this year was no exception. On behalf of the NYS Commercial Association of Realtors (NYSCAR), as well as the NYS Chapters of CCIM and SIOR and the Society of Exchange Counselors, I want to thank the following organizations for their support: Diamond sponsor: Pyramid Brokerage Company; Platinum sponsors: CB Richard Ellis Upstate Offices, New York Real Estate Journal; Gold sponsor: Upstate SIOR chapter; Silver Sponsors: Business and Commercial LSG, Exchange Authority, Keller Williams Commercial, Key Bank, LaBella Associates, PC, RISCO, Saratoga Economic Development Corp., Synapse Partners, Turner Construction Company and Douglas Whitaker & Associates, Inc. During the 2½ days of the conference, there were numerous programs and speakers. I would like to take a minute to thank instructors Tim Conley, CCIM, Bob Giniecki, CCIM, SEC, Steve Moran, Anthony Saya, Edward Smith, Jr., and Jim Wilson, CCIM, SEC. During the June 16th lunch, our keynote speaker, Dr. Mark Dotzour (chief economist for the Real Estate Center of Texas A&M University) gave a very enlightening economic update. NYSAR's president Hank Fries (Westchester) presented a brief association update and NYSAR's director of government affairs, Mike Kelly, gave a legislative update. This year's marketing session was very well received. I'd like to thank Jim Wilson, CCIM, SEC (Florida) and Chuck Sutherland, SEC (Texas) who served as lead moderators for the marketing session. There is an enormous amount of work to prepare for the session. Each year Bob Giniecki, CCIM, SEC does an outstanding job in assisting in the preparations for the session which certainly helps to make it a great event. NYSCAR held their board meeting on the evening of June 15. It is with great honor that I report that the second NYSCAR Meritorious Service Award was presented to Jerome Norton, CCIM, SIOR from Grubb & Ellis, New York. Jerry has served on the NYSCAR Board for many years and has been instrumental in bringing programs to the Long Island area as well as recommending the development of a Leasing Roundtable program. The Leasing Roundtable has now become an important segment of the annual conference each year. On October 28-29, NYSCAR in cooperation with the Greater Capital chapter will hold their annual October education program followed by a marketing session. The event will be held at the Ramada (formerly Clarion Hotel) on Watervliet Ave. Ext., Albany (off Everett Rd.).. Don't miss out - mark your calendar and plan to attend! Joseph Rowley, Jr. is the 2010 president of NYSCAR and is a VP at CBRE/Rochester, Rochester, N.Y. Shown (from left) are: Sutherland, Wilson, Walker, Giniecki, and Lavelle.Shown (from left) are: Ed Kiesa, CCIM and Ron Panosian, CCIM.