On The Ground At BOMA

We're on the scene in Orlando covering BOMA International's annual conference. BOMA has a new focus on industrial real estate (more members are adding it to their portfolios), which brought these DCT pros out for their first-ever BOMA conference. Here’s Denver’s Charla Rios, Atlanta’s Ann Shell-Johnson, Chicago’s Vicki Stevens, and Orlando’s Lissette Gaskill and Thomas Matthews. Some of the industrial tracks this year include the current status and future expectations for the sector, as well as focus on Energy Star certification. Other hot topics include densification of office space and BOMA's global expansion (it recently welcomed Greece, Panama, and Russia).

If you’re keeping both your Baby Boomer and your Gen Y employees happy, pat yourself on the back, says Brand Launcher’s Jon Goldman. Gen Y and Millennials are the largest group in America today, comprising 27.7% of the population compared to Baby Boomers, who make up 26.7%. Jon says that requires a change in leadership—the days of “just shut up and do it” authority are over. His tips: Become a coach, build an explicit culture, and give your employees meaning, values, and purpose beyond a paycheck. And if you’re annoyed about that 22-year-old expecting a trophy for showing up, get over it. Jon says companies who regularly show appreciation for their employees are 600% more profitable than their competitors. (And not because they melt down the trophies for gold.)