Quebec Fares Well at BOMEX 2017!
Real estate industry professionals were in the splendid city of Toronto on September 27 and 28 for BOMEX 2107. It is an event I am always eager to attend, not only for the pleasure of engaging in discussions with my peers, but also to keep abreast of the many issues and trends affecting our industry. And the Queen City does have its charms, not the least of which is that it is home to some of the biggest companies and financial firms in the world! Real estate plays a leading role in the city's affairs, and BOMA Toronto took convention guests on tours of some very innovative and impressive buildings in Toronto.
In that context, we were proud to note that the Quebec real estate and property management industry stood tall on the national stage. The nine winners at the BOMA Awards Gala event in May then went on to the national competition in Toronto, the BOMA Canada National Awards Gala, which was part of the BOMEX conference on September 28. The competition was stiff and when the dust settled, five Quebec firms stood out in two of the four competition categories.
The head office of La Capitale Financial Group in Quebec City (corporate facility), the Sun Life Building in Montreal (historical building) and the Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport (public assembly building) all won a prestigious TOBY Award (The Outstanding Building of the Year) in their respective categories. Note that the TOBY Awards recognize quality in commercial real estate buildings and reward building managers for excellence as regards community impact, tenant relations, energy performance, regulatory compliance, environmental sustainability, emergency preparedness, security standards and the training of building personnel.
The CHUM Notre Dame Hospital (health care facility) and Montreal Trust Place (retail building) each won an Earth Award, which recognizes excellence in resource preservation and environmentally sound commercial building management. The award is given to firms that have made important efforts to resolve the environmental problems they face in the course of managing new or older buildings. All entries in this category must be buildings that have BOMA BEST® certification.
I would like to point out the hard work and commitment exhibited by these 9 candidates. It is no easy task, and these professionals have all my admiration. My congratulations to the 5 winners, who are now eligible for the TOBY Awards that will be distributed by BOMA International at the BOMA International Conference and Expo® in June 2018. Good luck to all of you! Let's hope they get some well deserved international recognition!
Instructive Meeting at the Convention
BOMEX was also where, for the second consecutive year, the directors of BOMA International, BOMA Canada, BOMI Canada and 11 local Canadian associations got together for the Leader Workshop, an important gathering that allowed for lively discussion of our respective visions about the major issues currently facing the industry. It was an opportunity to get to know each other and to share the experiences and ambitions of our respective associations.
Such meetings are important, for they provide a much broader perspective and oblige us to think more deeply about matters so that BOMA Canada and the local associations remain relevant and useful for building owners and managers.
Anne-Marie Guèvremont elected president of BOMA Canada!
I am pleased to announce that Anne-Marie Guèvremont, Director, Property Management at GWL Realty Advisors, has been named president of BOMA Canada. I am also happy to report that successful women are increasingly assuming strategic management and governance positions in the real estate sector. That diversity can only stimulate and benefit the future of our industry. My sincere congratulations, Anne-Marie, and much success to you!
Input from Corporate Members
As part of our strategic planning for 2018-2019, BOMA Quebec is soliciting specific points of view on certain issues from corporate members. In the weeks to come, you will receive a survey to that effect.
Your answers are extremely important and useful for planning purposes. Please answer this call to duty and take a few minutes of your time to respond to our questions. We thank you in advance for your contributions.
I look forward to seeing you at coming events.
A wonderful autumn to all of you!
Mario Poirier
President