Developers' organization widens its scope to meet downturn

The Northern Nevada Chapter of NAIOP, a commercial real estate development association, came roaring out of the gates when it was founded in 2006.

But what to do when development in northern Nevada slows to a crawl and membership in NAIOP dips to about 75 from a boom-era peak that easily topped 125?

NAIOP the name is shorthand for the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties is widening its membership base to include architects, engineers, surveyors, planners and other professionals who have a direct stake in real estate development.

Amanda Pratt, executive director of the chapter, says the wider membership helps professionals across the development spectrum not just developers and real estate brokers make business connections.

An architect who signed on, for instance, landed a job after attending his first NAIOP meeting.

"That was an easy sell," Pratt says.

Lou Primak of Agate Sierra Construction Inc., who serves as president of the chapter, says NAIOP also has found opportunities to work with like-minded organizations such as the Associated General Contractors and the Builders Association of Northern Nevada on legislative and regulatory issues.

Aaron West-Guillen, a commercial real estate broker and government-affairs consultant, represented the interests of NAIOP members during the just-completed session of the Nevada Legislature.

Quarterly meetings, Pratt says, increasingly focus on educating members about the strengths and challenges of northern Nevada as a home for new development.

"We are the ambassadors for the area," she says. "Let's get it right."

For example, the organization's annual bus tour on Sept. 29 this year will visit properties that rely on alternative energy resources as well as visits with executives in the energy business.

NAIOP also provides education about development-specific topics through curriculum that is developed at a national level but delivered by local experts.

The group also has launched a program for members under 35 years it's dubbed "Developing Leaders" led by Matt Grimes of CB Richard Ellis. Developing Leaders helps young professionals connect with leaders in the industry and provides networking opportunities.