Commercial Real Estate Industry to Benefit from BOMA and USGBC Collaborations to Promote Environmentally Responsible Building Practices
(WASHINGTON, DC—December 12, 2006) The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) to work cooperatively to promote energy efficiency and environmentally responsible building operations and maintenance practices to the BOMA community of building owners, operators and property managers who collectively represent 9 billion square feet of commercial real estate. The announcement was made at the recent Greenbuild Conference and Expo held Nov. 15-17 in Denver.
Among the initiatives outlined in the MOI are joint promotional activities including collaboration at BOMA's North American Commercial Real Estate Congress® and The Office Building Show in New York City in July 2007 and USGBC's Greenbuild Conference and Expo in Los Angeles in October 2007, as well as joint educational offerings including Web-based seminars on energy efficiency and green building practices. BOMA will be working with USGBC as a Top-Tier partner, one of a very exclusive group of organizations including the Urban Land Institute and the American Institute of Architects that recognizes the tremendous need for moving real estate to a more sustainable approach. As a Top-Tier Partner, BOMA will be working directly with USGBC on program development for Greenbuild 2007 and beyond.
"This collaboration with USGBC reflects the commercial real estate industry's continued and growing commitment to promoting energy efficient and environmentally responsible buildings," said BOMA International Chairman and Chief Elected Officer Kurt R. Padavano, RPA, CPM, FMA, SMA, and chief operating officer of Advance Realty Group of Bedminster, NJ. "Working together to promote sustainable practices not only provides a healthier and more productive workplace environment, but also creates a tremendous potential for energy savings and reduced emissions."
"Collaboration and sharing best practices are the keys to success," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "BOMA is one of the most respected and influential organizations in the building industry, and we are proud to be partnering with them to help further green building practices in the commercial real estate sector."
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The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International is an international federation of more than 90 local associations and affiliated organizations. BOMA's 16,500-plus members own or manage more than 9 billion square feet of commercial properties in North America and throughout the world. The mission of BOMA International is to enhance the human, intellectual and physical assets of the commercial real estate industry through advocacy, education, research, standards and information. Founded in 1907, BOMA International celebrates 100 years of commercial real estate in 2007. Learn more at www.boma.org.
The U.S. Green Building Council is the nation's leading coalition of corporations, builders, universities, government agencies and nonprofit organizations working together to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. Since its founding in 1993, the Council has grown to over 7,200 member companies and organizations; an 80-person professional staff; a broad portfolio of LEED® programs and services; an extensive educational offering; the industry's popular Greenbuild International Conference and Expo; and a network of more than 60 local chapters, affiliates and organizing groups. For more information visit: www.usgbc.org.
CONTACT:
Laura Horsley
Director of Communications
BOMA International
(202) 326-6315 or lhorsley@boma.org
Taryn Holowka
Communications Manager
U.S. Green Building Council
(202)828.1144 or tholowka@usgbc.org