Membership Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the cost of membership?

   The cost of membership varies with each BOMA local association. To obtain the current dues rate, please contact the BOMA local association in your area.

2. How can I find out if there is a local association in my area?

   BOMA International has 92 local associations throughout the United States and Canada, including 12 international affiliates.

3. Who can join BOMA?

   Commercial, corporate or government real estate owners, investors, developers, managers, leasing/marketing representatives and those persons who earn their primary living from associated disciplines may join BOMA. Also, companies or individuals that provide products or services with a direct interest in the commercial real estate industry may join BOMA.

4. What are the benefits of membership?

   • Advocacy - BOMA is the leader in commercial real estate advocacy keeping members abreast of key legislative, regulatory, and codes and standards issues at both the national and state level.

   • Education – BOMA University provides a wealth of knowledge and solutions, in a variety of media. You can learn in traditional classroom settings, or you can learn at your desk, via audio seminars or eSeminars, our newest educational offerings. BOMA also offers customized education, designed specifically to meet your organization's training needs. For more information, please visit our Education pages or call our Education Hotline at (202) 326-6331.

   • Research - BOMA International collects and disseminates timely and critical research and information to the office building industry. BOMA's research department produces and publishes a number of industry benchmark publications including: annual Experience Exchange Report, Pulse surveys, Telecom surveys for owners and tenants, and much more!

   • Inclusive Membership - Networking opportunities are another key element of BOMA membership through monthly luncheons and programs offered through BOMA local associations, or by participation in the BOMA International Annual Conference & Office Building Show or Winter Business Meeting. BOMA offers a global marketplace through affiliation with Australia, Brazil, Finland, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, the Philippines and South Africa.

   • Information - Other key benefits and sources of knowledge and information for BOMA members through The BOMA Magazine, bi-weekly Currents and Up-to-Code, quarterly codes udpates. In addition, members receive discounts on publications, seminars and other BOMA sponsored programs.

5. What membership category do I fall under?

   Within BOMA International there are four general categories of membership:

   • BOMA Local Association membership – Belong to one of BOMA's 92 federated North American local associations as a "principal", "principal additional" (for example: building owner, property manager, asset manager, corporate facility manager, leasing professional, medical office building professional, or other commercial real estate professional) or "associate" (provide a product or service to the local commercial real estate industry). Please note that different local associations assign industry job functions to different BOMA categories. Click here to contact your local association for more information.

   • Member-At-Large (MAL) – If you are a building owner, property manager, asset manager, corporate facility manager, leasing professional, medical office building professional, or other commercial real estate professional in a market without a federated BOMA Local Association, you can join BOMA International directly as a Member-At-Large.  Click Here for a membership application.

   • National Associate Membership (NAM) – To qualify for National Associate Membership you must be a manufacturer, supplier or distributor to the commercial real estate industry, conduct business on a regional or national basis, AND hold membership in at least one BOMA local association.

   • International Membership - If your firm is located in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia, or South Africa, join BOMA through its International Affiliates located in those respective countries. Interested professionals from other nations may join directly as Members-At-Large.

6. How do I update my member information?

   If you are a member of one of BOMA's local associations and you wish to update or change your address or update a member representative, contact your local association by fax, phone or e-mail.

   If you are a Member-At-Large or National Associate Member, please contact BOMA International directly at (202) 326-6361 or via e-mail at asmith@boma.org.

7. How can I renew my membership?

   If you are a member of one of BOMA's local associations and you wish to renew your membership, please contact your local association directly for specific renewal information.

   National Associate Members and Members-At-Large should contact BOMA International directly at (202) 326-6361 or via e-mail at asmith@boma.org.

8. How do I start a local BOMA association?

   If there is no BOMA local association in your market and you wish to assist in the formation of a new federated local BOMA, please contact BOMA at (202) 326-6361 or via email asmith@boma.org.

   To form a local BOMA, you are required to have a minimum of 15 local representative members. It is important for any new group to take its time in developing a membership base, governance structure, bylaws and dues schedule to assure its success. The make-up of the first 15 local representatives should be a sampling of the entire local building marketplace, with a recommended core concentration. BOMA International's membership marketing department will provide membership materials and guidance to any group or organization interested in federating with BOMA International.

9. Can I join BOMA International directly if there is not a BOMA local association nearby?

   Owners and managers of commercial buildings that are not located within the jurisdiction of one of BOMA's local associations are eligible to join BOMA International directly as a Member-At-Large.

10. What types of educational programs are available through BOMA?

    BOMA offers a variety of education programs in a variety of media: traditional classroom-type programs, along with audio seminars (seminars delivered by telephone), and eSeminars (online courses available anywhere you have an Internet connection). For more information, please visit our "Training and Education" pages.

11. Does BOMA provide an opportunity for their members to network?

    In addition to your local association's monthly meetings, seminars and programs, BOMA International's Annual Convention and The Office Building Show held each June features several networking opportunities and is the industry's largest trade show. It attracts over 4,000 attendees and 400 exhibits. Other networking opportunities are provided through BOMA's Annual Winter Business Meetings & Leadership Conference.

12. Does BOMA have a job bank?

    Yes, BOMA International does currently host a job bank. Click here for more information.

13. How can my building enter the TOBY or the Earth Awards Program?

    You must be a member of BOMA International to participate in The Office Building of the Year "TOBY" Awards and the Earth Awards programs. The competition consists of three levels of judging: the first level is through the local BOMA associations; the second level is held at the regional level in each of the eight North American regions of BOMA International; the third level is held at the International level. The International winners will be recognized at the North American Commercial Real Estate Congress in Dallas, Texas, Canada June 24 - June 27, 2004. To enter the Office Building of the Year "TOBY" Awards Program, or the Earth Awards Program, please contact the local association in your market or BOMA's Communications Department at (202) 326-6354 or via e-mail at jhadley@boma.org.

14. What is the difference between a National Associate Member and a local BOMA member?

    National Associate Members (NAMs) are members that manufacture, supply, distribute or provide a service to the commercial real estate industry and does business regionally, nationally, or internationally (and in addition, hold membership in at least one of BOMA's local associations). NAMs join directly through BOMA International.

    Local BOMA members are companies or individuals that have a direct interest in the commercial real estate industry and join directly through the local association.

15. How do I obtain a membership directory?

    The membership directory is available to members only and is published each October and distributed to each of BOMA's 16,000 members. It is also available through BOMA Connect for members only.

16. What is BOMA Connect?

    BOMA Connect provides BOMA International members the power of their association right on their PC. It gives members fast and secure access to current member data and supplier information, as well as association information, publications and and an archive of BOMA magazine articles.

17. How do I obtain back issues or a current copy of The BOMA Magazine, the official news magazine of the Building Owners and Managers Association International?

    As a BOMA member, you receive The BOMA magazine monthly as part of your benefits package. To obtain an additional one-year subscription to The BOMA Magazine, visit our subscription page. Back issues are also available by contacting BOMA's communications department at (202) 326-6315 or  bomamagazine@boma.org.

18. What is the relationship between BOMA and BOMI?

    BOMA International and BOMI Institute are two separate entities. Designation courses are developed by BOMI Institute and then delivered through many of BOMA's local associations. Registering for classes with BOMI Institute does not entitle you to BOMA membership; however, as a BOMA member, you generally qualify for discounts on designation courses. For more information about BOMI Institute designation programs, contact your BOMA local association or BOMI Institute.

If you have any questions concerning membership, please contact the local association in your area or BOMA International customer service department at (202) 326-6366.