"This is not about our company trying to save money," Chris Ludeman, CBRE's president of Americas brokerage, tells GlobeSt.com. "The vast majority of the expense, about 90%, has already been spent. You have to book this stuff far in advance, the only thing not bought is the airfare. A number of our top-producing professionals expressed concern that in light of the economic circumstances, and the general, pain-causing climate, they didn't feel good enjoying several days in an exotic location while people in their communities are suffering."
Each of the packages consist of a three-night stay at the hotel. The total cost for all the packages is "more than seven figures," Ludeman says.
The Wounded Warrior project, a non-profit organization to honor and empower severely injured servicemen and women, was a natural fit to donate to, he says. "We've sent an announcement out to the company asking employees to suggest other charity organizations, and we've formed a committee to deal with the remaining requests. We'll work through the applications and make a decision by the early part of February for the balance of the packages," Ludeman says.
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