Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Jacksonville held their monthly luncheon Tuesday, May 3^rd at Maggiano’s in the Town Center.   The event was well attended and highlighted a popular topic for Jacksonville and surrounding area residents.  The question of whether or not dredging will occur in time to capture the Panama Canal expansion benefits was posed to a panel of port development experts: Steve Ross, Army Corps of Engineers, Project Manager; George D. Gabel, Jr., Holland & Knight LLP, Partner and Logistics Advisory Group;  Nancy Rubin, JAXPORT, Director, Communications and Public Relations; and Yemisi A. Bolumole, Ph.d, CTL, Kip Research Fellow of Logistics, UNF.  The panel discussion was moderated by Jody Brooks, Esq. with the Allen Land Group.  The panelists quickly took charge of the direction of the discussion affirming strongly that there is no question of IF. 

The “when”and “how” are being determined by tests whose results are not yet available.  However, JAXPORT doesn’t even consider a back-up plan. It is dredge or nothing.  The Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating dredging by the foot - for every foot of depth, they are calculating the economic benefits to the nation and the region.  All panelists had a positive outlook on this expansion taking place, though the timeline is placed out into 2015 for an approval.

Utilizing a port in Jacksonville, FL has many benefits.   JAXPORT is very lucky to have land that can be developed into terminals. Many ports like Miami are "landlocked" and cannot expand.  The infrastructure package is important to the success of the port as well.  Without expanded roadways and on-dock rail the port cannot operate efficiently.  CSX has allotted $40 million to connecting rail to the ports and Cecil Field provides companies with air freight capabilities.  Money has been allocated to fund the Mile Point fix and the first phase of the project should also be complete in early 2012.

The event was covered by the press.  To read the story, click on the link:

Daily Record Story

How the Commercial Real Estate Indusrty is Using Social Media

CREW Jacksonville April 2011 Lunch and Learn

“How the Commercial Real Estate Industry is Using Social Media”

Speaker: Jan Korb

CREW Jacksonville’s April lunch meeting was held at Maggiano’s at the St. John’s Town Center and was an informative look at social networking and its relevance in the real estate market.  Jan Korb, founder of BroadBased Communications, Inc., a marketing communications and public relations firm, presented the group with eye popping statistics on the monumental growth and impacts social networking has had on our society on a private and professional level in general.  She then provided examples of real estate firms who are using social networking to help contribute to their bottom line.  She showed us that the Jacksonville area is far behind when it comes to utilizing social media for business purposes.  This can be an opportunity for those firms in the area who are willing to jump in the game!

Jan showed us how the successful firms who are using social media are using it – which sites are used most, what sites are appropriate for specific types of content.  She also showed the audience how to pinpoint their target outcomes by utilizing the sites who best serve the type of interaction they are after.  Jan also noted several sites that her firm has been “watching” and provided her predictions on which will become the next big social networking vehicle.

Attendees were all abuzz after the presentation, eager to ask questions about how to become more active in social media for their organizational marketing purposes.   If you are interested in contacting Jan for more information on how social networking can benefit you and your organization, you can email her at jkorb@bbased.com.

CREW Jacksonville is a highly creative and spirited group of real estate professionals and related industry representatives dedicated to advancing the success and fostering the development of professional women in the commercial real estate industry.  For more information on CREW Jacksonville and other upcoming events, visit www.crewjax.org or contact us by email at: crewjacksonville@gmail.com

Healthcare: The Rx for Commercial Real Estate

On March 1st, CREW Jacksonville featured industry experts, Fran Pepis, Colliers International Northeast Florida and Dave Collins, Lincoln Properties, Property Manager for Memorial (HCA) to discuss the impact healthcare has had on commercial real estate including trends in office locations, size and amenities, how technology has affected medical offices and hospital design and predictions on demand for new medical space of all types (office, large hospital, urgent care, specialty, etc.)  The moderator for the event was Teresa Durand, Auld & White Constructors and former President of CREW Jacksonville.

The audience was educated about many of the challenges facing private practitioners, including difficulty in getting financing, business headaches, and finding it harder to compete against hospitals.  Many of them are leaving their private practices to join hospitals who are investing in medical office buildings and locating them where the population is.  Many of these physicians are sharing office space.

The presenters reported that there are 16 nursing colleges/universities in Jacksonville, four that opened in the last 2-3 years.  Additionally, there are 16 dialysis centers, four that opened in the last year.  There is ripple effect on peripheral businesses.  We're seeing an increase in medical/nursing education, physical therapy and chiropractic.  He feels a medical school in Jacksonville should be rallied and that UF is endorsing it.

The event was heavily attended by a mix of CREW members and guests.  CREW hosts regular lunches on real estate topics throughout the year.  Visit the calendar of events on their website www.crewjax.org.