President’s Quarterly Report – July 2017
Dear Fellow Members,
Commercial real estate development continues to thrive in Southern Nevada and NAIOP is on the forefront, blazing the trail.
A big part of the trail in 2017 is attributable to the Government Affairs efforts during Nevada’s 79th legislative session. NAIOP Southern Nevada teamed up with our colleagues from the Northern Nevada chapter and successfully represented the voice of commercial real estate development as “one Nevada”. Our success at the State level wouldn’t have been possible without the involvement of Jonathan Leleu and Kerrie Kramer of Greenberg Traurig. They camped out in Carson City from February 6th to June 6th and assisted the Government Affairs Committee immensely by being the eyes, ears, and voice of NAIOP for those biennial 120 days. At the beginning of the legislative session they sifted through hundreds of bills, identifying which would potentially impact commercial real estate policy and then tracked approximately sixty bills between both houses that were eventually introduced. Jon and Kerrie were instrumental in helping NAIOP communicate valuable input to legislators on behalf of the commercial real estate industry, helping shape policy in a constructive way. For a complete legislative recap, mark your calendars for the July 20th breakfast program which will be a legislative review panel including, State Senator Scott Hammond the Co-Minority Whip, Senator Joyce Woodhouse, Assemblyman Paul Anderson the Majority Floor Leader, Assemblywoman Dina Neal and moderated by Mitch Fox, Director of Client Relations for The Porter Group.
On the local front, the NAIOP Government Affairs Committee worked with Clark County Department of Comprehensive Planning to help provide input on the County’s proposed Title 30 parking ordinance update. In an effort to help the County receive additional stakeholder input, NAIOP coordinated a coalition of commercial real estate organizations including BOMA, CCIM, Commercial Alliance, CREW and SIOR. The County incorporated many of the suggestions and we’d like to thank County staff members Mario Bermudez, Shane Ammerman, Sami Real, Jared Tasko and the Department Director, Nancy Amundsen.
Another testament to NAIOP Southern Nevada being on the forefront and blazing through 2017 is the increase in overall Membership which is currently 15% higher year over year. This is mainly attributable to the organization providing excellent programs, educational opportunities and networking events, along with advocating on members’ behalf.
Thank you to Reed Gottesman and the Program’s Committee for consistently coordinating insightful monthly breakfast meetings. I’m not sure many members missed the April program because the room was packed, but in case you were among the few, we learned about the potential impact to commercial real estate with the approval of recreational marijuana in Nevada. While some were disappointed there weren’t sample edibles at the breakfast buffet, it was quite entertaining and interesting to understand the impact on commercial real estate. By the time this letter will be read, the disappointed will have had their opportunity legally. June was the master builder’s panel with guest speaker Kevin Orrock of The Howard Hughes Corporation. He shared the evolution of HHC, types of developments they are focusing on and even the type of potential partnerships they consider. Also on the panel were Craig Johnson and Dan Stewart discussing Union Village and the UNLV Harry Reid Research & Technology Park.
I’d like to thank the Sustainable Committee for their efforts in May for the program at the Springs Preserve along with the Community Service Committee for the successful supply drive for Street Teens to benefit homeless youth in Southern Nevada. Compliments to Community Service for their other events including a pet supply drive, the Dragon Boat race and the still continuing “Knot Tied Down” business attire drive to benefit Communities in Schools.
Thank you to Steve Neiger and the Education Committee for the highly successful and informative member’s only workshops, which is a four-part Economic Impact Series free to members. Part one was “2 Buildings and $4 Billion” regarding the convention center expansion and the Raider’s stadium that included panelists Mike Wixom, Esq, Dr. Stephen Miller, UNLV Professor of Economics and Kevin Bagger, Executive Director LVCVA research center, moderated by Sallie Doebler of the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce. Part two was the “Industrial Revolution Nevada Style” with panelists Dan Doherty of Colliers, Gina Gavan from the City of North Las Vegas, Dr.Alan Schlottmann with the Lee Business School UNLV and moderated by Xavier Wasiak of Jones, Lang LaSalle. Save the date for Part three, “Breakthroughs in the Medical District and Beyond” on August 11th.
Thanks to David Strickland and the Membership Committee for orchestrating the exclusive President’s Circle Sponsors events and the fun, entertaining social events thus far in 2017. If you missed the May member’s only mixer at the Whist Stove and Spirits, be sure to keep an eye out for the August 2nd bowling event and you definitely do not want to miss the social event of the year, Oktoberfest at Hofbrauhaus on September 28th.
Nationally, NAIOP held its industrial conference, I.CON trends and forecasts, June 8-9 in Long Beach, California where more than 600 of industrial real estate’s top leaders gathered to learn, connect and make deals. Members will have another opportunity to attend a national event at NAIOP’s CRE Converge 2017 in Chicago in early October. This is the premier industry conference connecting developers, owners, investors, brokers and more, consistently attracting approximately 1,400 attendees from across North America. It will be filled with relevant information, programs and forecasts not to mention a bash to remember (or possibly not if you get carried away) celebrating NAIOP’s 50th Anniversary.
I’d like to say a special thank you to The PENTA Building Group and Cox Business our Platinum Sponsors along with all of our 2017 President Circle sponsors. Without your support, NAIOP would be able to blaze the trail for the commercial real estate industry by providing the member benefits with the aforementioned programs, education, networking and advocacy.
NAIOP had a lot of positives during the second quarter of 2017, but not without a major loss. Long time NAIOP member Arnold Lopez passed away from a heart attack on May 15th. Arnold was a friend of the commercial development community and a very active, engaged, contributing member of NAIOP. His friendship and presence will be dearly missed. Arnold’s premature departure at only 53 years of age, should give pause and reflection that no matter how bad you think things are, financially or otherwise, not knowing what tomorrow will bring, always try to be grateful and stop to smell the roses.
Wishing you all continued success.
“Carpe diem”
Wishing you all continued success.
Jay Heller
Chapter President
NAIOP Southern Nevada