Joseph Rowley, Jr. - 10th Annual Commercial Real Estate Conference: June 13 - 15

As I write this column, we are preparing to attend the 10th Annual NYS Commercial Real Estate Conference being held June 13-15 at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, hosted by the New York State Commercial Association of Realtors (NYSCAR), the New York State chapters of CCIM/SIOR and the Society of Exchange Counselors. John Lavelle of RJ Smith Realty serves proudly as conference chairman. We look forward to a successful conference and again want to thank the following sponsors: * Diamond: Cushman & Wakefield/Pyramid Brokerage Co. * Platinum: CB Richard Ellis - Upstate Offices * Gold: New York Real Estate Journal * Silver: The Chazen Cos., Chase Bank, Exchange Authority, Key Bank; KW Commercial, LaBella Associates, P.C., and R.J. Smith Realty. Each year, we start the conference with a commercial marketing/networking meeting and this year is no exception. June 13-14, Jim Wilson, CCIM, SEC (Florida) and Chuck Sutherland, SEC (Texas) will be the lead moderators for the session. Jim and Chuck are a great team and run a fantastic session! Mike Kelly, NYSAR director of government affairs will give a legislative update during lunch to start off the session. On the evening of June 13, SEC will hold their annual dinner and NYSCAR will hold a dinner with speaker Michael Aronesty, Audit Partner, Deloitte & Touche who will give attendees an update on the FASB's proposed changes to leasing accounting standards. On June 14, the Upstate SIOR chapter is sponsoring "Developing a Build-to-Suit Pro Forma" with instructor Rob Nahigian, CRE, FRICS, SIOR followed by a reception. NYSCAR and CCIM will also hold their meetings. Everyone is invited to the Welcome reception on Tuesday evening. We are looking forward to hearing from Rod Santomassimo, president of the Massimo Group, who is the keynote speaker on June 15 and will talk about "Brokers Who Dominate." Find out what top performers do - How did they get where they are? - How do they maintain their dominate market position? - Where do top performers come from? - What is their professional background? We also have a great line-up of instructors for June 15 that include: Ken Vidar, CCIM, SEC who will teach "Creative Solutions." Bo Barron, CCIM will hold a program on Social Networking, a program that will describe a cohesive social media strategy that takes minutes a day leading to increased market presence. NYSCAR past-president, Edward Smith, ITI will instruct "Green Commercial Buildings: Issues, Systems and Savings." Learn why going green is so important. The afternoon will feature "Development & Financing of Historic Properties - Challenges & Opportunities" instructed by Murray Gould and Peter Karl, III, Esq., CPA will instruct "Latest Strategies for Realtors in Their Business and Personal Lives as a Result of Recent Legislation." This is a great opportunity for everyone to get together to network. I look forward to seeing you at the "10th Annual NYS Commercial Real Estate Conference." (Conference/registration information can be found at www.nyscar.org) Joseph Rowley, Jr. is the president of NYSCAR and is a VP at CBRE/Rochester, Rochester, N.Y.