Executives from across the REIT community met last week in Washington, D.C. for Nareit’s annual CEO Forum & Advocacy Day. This two-day event provides Nareit CEOs with the opportunity to interact with key policymakers from both houses of Congress and across the political aisle. These meetings also are critically important to communicating the value and benefit of REITs to those policymakers.
CEO Forum highlights included Nareit’s Advisory Board meeting, where REIT executives heard about the current political dynamic from Ken Kies of Federal Policy Group. At the Advisory Board of Governors dinner, Nareit President and CEO Steven A. Wechsler presented Nareit’s Small Investor Empowerment Award to Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Attendees also heard from CNN commentator and best-selling author Michael Smerconish, who shared insights with the group about the current political and media landscapes.
The following day, REIT executives visited Capitol Hill where they had the opportunity to discuss some of the most pressing matters currently facing REITs and the real estate investment community. Nareit member executives met with 21 congressional offices, including several important congressional leaders, notably House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA), and House Ways & Means Ranking Member Richie Neal (D-MA).
(Left to right) Steven A. Wechsler, president and CEO, Nareit; Rob DelPriore, executive vice president, CAO, and general counsel, MAA; Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY); Jim Taylor, president and CEO, Brixmor Property Group; Steve Budorick, president and CEO, COPT; Mark Parrell, president and CEO, Equity Residential
(Left to right) Owen Thomas, CEO, BXP; House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA); Steve Vondran, president, American Tower Corporation; Jennifer Schneider, head of government affairs, American Tower Corporation
(Left to right) Steven A. Wechsler, president and CEO, Nareit; Michael Schall, president and CEO, Essex Property Trust; House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA); Jim Taylor, president and CEO, Brixmor Property Group; Jay Leupp, managing director, Terra Firma Asset Management
(Left to right) Rob DelPriore, executive vice president, CAO, and general counsel, MAA; House Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry (R-NC); Jay Leupp, managing director, Terra Firma Asset Management; Bobby Bowers, CFO, Piedmont Office Realty Trust
(Left to right) Mark Decker, president and CEO, Centerspace; Steve Vondran, president, American Tower Corporation; Owen Thomas, CEO, BXP; House Ways & Means Ranking Member Richie Neal (D-MA); Jennifer Schneider, head of government affairs, American Tower Corporation
(Left to right) Bobby Bowers, CFO, Piedmont Office Realty Trust; Michael Schall, president and CEO, Essex Property Trust; Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA), Rob DelPriore, executive vice president, CAO, and general counsel, MAA; Jay Leupp, managing director, Terra Firma Asset Management; Dana Anderson, Vice Chairman, Emeritus, Macerich
