5 California Buildings News • Q2 2020
Building Industry Associations’ Vital Role in Pandemic Online Communications Replace Physical Meetings as Groups Cope with Crisis
Industry associations in normal times are useful networks for education, government relations and networking. In times of crisis, they are absolutely essential to the health of an industry — none more so than the companies that own, operate, design and construct buildings—and the companies that provide products and services to buildings. Beyond that, they are crucial to maintain vital business and social connections among people with interacting responsibilities. During this crisis, associations are proving very creative in serving their members. That said, many industry chapters are under siege, because the programs and events they hold in normal times that generate sustaining revenue cannot be held. Some of their members face financial challenges and other resource constraints. It is absolutely critical that these groups are included in the many types of government proImage: Adobe Stock.
grams aimed at providing relief, but even more important is the need for their members to continue to provide funding. They are an essential service. “We’re using all of our resources and networks to construct a bridge over the pandemic’s river of chaos,” said Marc Intermaggio, executive vice president of BOMA San Francisco.
There are dozens of association chapters and groups around California that are providing valuable response efforts to deal with this once-in-acentury challenge to our economy and way of life. For instance, the Building Owners and Managers Association of San Francisco went into action in early
March and has continued adding services to its members as the crisis deepens. Executive Vice President Marc Intermaggio said in a recent member communication, “We’re using all of our resources and networks to construct a bridge over the pandemic’s river of chaos.” His group began by providing timely information appropriate to the commercial real estate industry from government leaders, then opened pathways to all levels of government to provide industry input so government actions would be better focused. BOMA SF started a COVID19 resources page accessible through www.bomasf.org and made it a central resource for what its members need to respond to the crisis. Information provided concerns re-occupancy, transportation issues, tax and licensing deadlines, construction matters and a dedicated Slack channel so members can share experiences and sound off. (Continued on page 18)
