CoreNet NYC party at the Rainbow Room Jan. 2018/ Photo by Betsy Kim

NEW YORK CITY—CoreNet, short for for “Corporate Real Estate Network,” provides education, resources and networking opportunities for real estate professionals. CoreNet Global has 12,000 members and in New York City, its largest chapter, there are 1,200 members. The membership is approximately 60% male and 40% female, and ranges from student members to young leader members (under the age of 35) to executive-level, seasoned professionals.

CoreNet NYC's chairperson, Jason Aster, SVP at KBA/Visual Lease; CoreNet NYC's president, Sheena Gohil, executive director at Colliers International, and CoreNet NYC's VP, Neil Austin, VP, real estate portfolio management & transaction services at Omnicom Group, Inc. talk about what real estate professionals can get out of CoreNet NYC.

GlobeSt.com: What is the main goal of CoreNet NYC?

Jason Aster, chairperson of CoreNet NYC

JASON: Our mission is to provide the broadest platform capturing as many perspectives, interests and issues that relate to corporate real estate and to encourage personal and professional learning, growth and collaboration. Whether you are a landlord, tenant or architect, our goal is to not only provide programming relevant to these perspectives, but to give members a more meaningful networking experience that will help them succeed personally and professionally.

GlobeSt.com: Who should join your organization?

JASON: CoreNet NYC is tailored to the occupier, tenant and anyone who touches a lease lifecycle or provides advice or services involving owned or leased real estate, like architecture and design firms, contractors, furniture dealers and co-working/serviced office space providers. Our members are intimately involved with various aspects of the workspace including the financial, HR, furniture, location, wellness, productivity and safety components.

SHEENA: If you live or work in NY, NJ or CT, there are so many real estate industry events, it's difficult to decide which is most effective. Being a member of CoreNet NYC, professionals benefit from the “network effect,” combined with multiple and targeted avenues to grow both personally and professionally while creating long-term meaningful relationships. CoreNet's educational programs can expose you to other career paths that can be adapted into your professional life, while participants can also have fun in the process.

GlobeSt.com: How does CoreNet distinguish itself from other professional organizations?

Sheena Gohil, president of CoreNet NYC

SHEENA: CoreNet NYC is the largest global organization focused on the voice of the corporate occupiers.

JASON: We are constantly iterating better ways to curate member engagement and enhance membership and participation ROI for every single member. This not only promotes diversity within the organization but allows us to expand into new areas that eventually encompass the entire real estate profession as a whole. Our members really define how the organization tailors its offerings and programming.

GlobeSt.com: How should people make the most out of their professional organizations?

JASON: It's really important for members to intentionally engage beyond just attending events. Our hope is that all members are willing to join a committee, an initiative, or at an organizational support level. This is where long-term relationships are made and success is sustained.

GlobeSt.com: What are examples of CoreNet events or programs?

Neil Austin, VP of CoreNet NYC

NEIL: Each quarter we host breakfasts for new members as an initial way to break the ice and to introduce them to our group and our volunteers. Throughout the year, our programs committee hosts speaker events for up to 250 guests. Past speakers have included Rudy Giuliani, Bob Woodward and Danny Meyer.

We have committees who focus on specific industries, like public transit, tours such as at Hudson Yards or roundtable dinners with topics pertaining to finance, technology and media, workplace innovation and law.

Our communities groups host events that focus on the latest trends in public policy, sustainability and technology and their impact on the industry. Through our workshops committee, we host events designed for learning skills and provide selected credits towards professional certifications.

We also run a scholarship program. Our members in transition program provides a network for those looking for a career change to connect and network with potential employers.

GlobeSt.com: What are some upcoming programs you are hosting?

NEIL: In April, our speaker event will feature Amy Webb, a futurist and founder of the Future Today Institute. This spring, our New York executive leadership council and landlord founders circle groups will host their quarterly roundtable dinners. Our public policy community is planning a panel on maximizing the impact of economic incentives following the wake of Amazon's decision to pull out of Long Island City. Our 2019 Annual Dinner which will host up to 1,000 people will take place on May 2 at the American Museum of Natural History. Our 2019 Corporate Real Estate for Excellence Program will take place in June, where we'll honor our 2019 Corporate Real Estate Executive of the Year, Young Leader of the Year and Projects of the Year.