NAIOP Silicon Valley Chapter 2008 Board of Directors and Staff greet 2008 with a sense of optimism and renewed energy. Led by 2008 NAIOP President Christopher Peatross of Equity Office Properties, the Board of Directors is comprised of eighteen dynamic commercial real estate professionals representing a broad spectrum of the Silicon Valley market - development, ownership, management, financing, leasing, planning and construction of office, industrial, R&D and warehouse. The Board reflects the diversity of interests of the Chapter’s members and is keenly interested and concerned with all aspects of real estate development throughout the region. Simply put: NAIOP is the voice of commercial real estate in Silicon Valley.

Legislative Affairs – NAIOP Silicon Valley is ready for an active legislative year. With budget woes expected at nearly every level of government, enhanced revenue sources and service reductions are sure to be hot topics of discussion throughout state, regional and local jurisdictions. NAIOP Silicon Valley, in partnership with other business organizations such as the Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, BOMA, the San Jose Downtown Association, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and the Home Builders Association, monitors policy issues in every regional community, providing a business and real estate perspective to the decision making process.

• Local Land Use Policies – NAIOP Silicon Valley will continue to strongly advocate for common sense land use policies that encourage the reuse/redevelopment of obsolete R&D and industrial properties and for diversified regional economic development policies that foster a pro-growth Valley rich in opportunity and vitality.
• Planning for Growth – A General Plan is often called the blueprint for the future growth and development of a city. The City of San José’s current General Plan was adopted in 1994 and guides the City’s day-to-day decision-making for land use and City services. While the strategies in the Plan serve as a consistent and stable framework, change is constrained because San Jose’s dynamic landscape continues to grow and evolve. Therefore, the City has embarked on Envision San Jose 2040, a 2+ year effort to update the General Plan. NAIOP Silicon Valley will be represented on the 37 member General Plan Envision 2040 General Plan Update Task Force by your Executive Director.
• Politics – Through the collaborative efforts of the NAIOP and other business organizations, namely the Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce’s COMPAC Board, NAIOP Silicon Valley actively monitors and participates in local political elections.

Educational Programs - NAIOP Silicon Valley luncheon programs feature panel discussions and speakers drawn from a rich pool of outstanding real estate professionals with in-depth local knowledge and expertise, providing our members with the inside information that they need to succeed in the regional market.

Networking Opportunities - Attendance at NAIOP events is robust, offering stimulating networking opportunities with peers and colleagues, top industry leaders and public officials. The Annual NAIOP BBQ, which takes place late summer, continues to thrive as the premiere commercial real estate social gathering in Silicon Valley. A new addition to the NAIOP event schedule in May is the NAIOP Developer Hall of Fame Dinner, an extra special evening honoring a developer icon of the industry who symbolizes the spirit of vision and leadership that has shaped the Silicon Valley real estate landscape. Last year’s inaugural event was a resounding success, and this year’s Dinner promises to be a memorable affair that in not to be missed.

Speaking on behalf of the NAIOP Silicon Valley Directors, I believe that the Chapter is primed to make 2008 it’s best year yet in not only offering a slate of programs and networking events that are meaningful and impactful for members, but also playing an active part in the local and regional public affairs issues that drive economic and real estate market vitality. Your Chapter membership will help us to continue to improve the effectiveness of our voice in Silicon Valley. Please take a few moments, assess the benefits and Join the Silicon Valley Chapter today!