| July 2012 |
2Q 2012 Edition
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Letter From the President
It is hard to believe that summer 2012 is already officially here....although all you need to do is step outside to be reminded!
It also means that I am almost halfway through with my 2012 GWCAR Presidential term which is a bittersweet timeline as I have thoroughly enjoyed working with so many of our members throughout the year in helping to move forward the vision and many benefits of GWCAR for our commercial real estate brokerage and affiliate members.
Our 2nd Quarter has been one of many great events and successes for which all of our members should be proud.
The 30th Anniversary Awards Banquet in April was a successful "sold
out" evening of both fun, comraderie, networking, and of course an evening of honoring the many accomplishments from 2011 of our members. It was an even more special evening in that we were able to bring back some of our fellow "industry giants" from both the past and present who helped make this event even more memorable.
The banquet was followed in May with another "sold out" event, our annual golf tournament at Kenwood. Despite the fact that "mother nature" was not very cooperative that day, those who "braved the elements" were treated to an afternoon of fun, food, and in some cases, "stellar golf performances"...with the bottom line in all cases being the emphasis on "fun"!
June saw our recent event (and a new one at that) of our Young Brokers Committee hosting, in conjunction with CoStar, a spectacular "Night at The Shore" cocktail and networking function on the rooftop of CoStar's headquarters building. This phenomenal "sold out" event was an evening that many have dubbed one of the best "parties of the year"....and to which a well-deserved special "shout-out" to Katie Gorretta of Akridge is due for all of her outstanding efforts in pulling this together with her committee of future young leaders.
At the end of June we continued with some of our more senior members reaching out to the younger members in "mentoring" capacities, as we had the legendary tenant broker superstar, Rick Rome of Studley, offering his insights and expertise in a small seminar style setting, the "Breakfast of Champions" Series, a new program this year that is getting rave reviews.
Of course, besides this quarter's great events, the GWCAR staff and Board continues to work on behalf of our members in many "behind the scenes" ways whether it be legislative advocacy, education, or help within our community.
It has been a great year to date...we have continued to increase our visibilty and have welcomed many new members as well...so, on behalf of your Board and staff, I want to wish everyone a safe and fun summer...and to thank all of our members from both the brokerage community and industry affiliates, as well as all of our many event sponsors, for all your effort and participation to date....and stay tuned for other GWCAR events, such as MealTOUR coming on October 25!
Regards,
Moe Hamilton 2012 GWCAR President Cushman & Wakefield |
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30th Anniversary Awards Dinner Brings Out
Commercial Real Estate's Best
Nostalgia was the theme and the elegant Mayflower Hotel was once again the place to be on Thursday, April 19 for the 30th Annual GWCAR Awards Dinner. GWCAR President Moe Hamilton and Awards Dinner Co-Chairs, Amy Bowser and Chris Sowick, were the emcees for the star-studded event, which honored the top producers in the sales, leasing, retail, and development areas.
This year celebrated the 30th anniversary of the GWCAR awards and the theme of "Celebrating Our Movers and Shakers for 30 Years" was highlighted throughout the night. The program was sprinkled with video clips, photos from back in the day, and great music that provided an atmosphere of humor and fun to the packed house.
Adam Singer of Studley presented the first individual award of the evening with a heartfelt introduction of the Brendan McCarthy winner, Suzanne Keech, who passed away last November. Suzanne's sister Leslie Keech accepted the award on her sister's behalf. Suzanne was honored for her tireless efforts to enrich and empower the lives of children through the Higher Achievement program, and a donation was given in her name. William "Bill" Collins of Cassidy Turley was recognized as GWCAR's Broker of the Year for 2011.
Awards were presented by a number of celebrity guests, including Fred Ezra, Brian Connolly, Jack Lavoie, Phil Meany, Fern Barrueta, and Doug Fleit. Two new categories were added this year, Sales Transaction of the Year Multifamily - which went to the 8-Property VA/MD Multifamily Portfolio, and Leasing Transaction of the Year Under 75,000 rsf. - which went to 1616 North Ft. Myer Drive. This year's Rising Star award went to Carroll Cavanaugh of Jones Lang LaSalle.
Real Estate Bisnow joined GWCAR as the media partner this year, proving pre-award and post-award coverage, including a special edition awards site. Bisnow also created a color awards magazine which was given to attendees at the evening's end.
Thank You Sponsors!
Platinum Sponsors
Bognet Construction
Washington Workplace
Gold Sponsors
CoStar Group, Inc.
Cushman & Wakefield
Tishman Speyer
Vornado/Charles E. Smith
Silver Sponsors
Akridge
Brookfield Office Properties
Cassidy Turley
First Potomac Realty Trust
Bronze Sponsors
Cooley LLP
DAVIS Construction
Studley, Inc.
Cocktail Sponsor
Cresa Washington DC
Brendan McCarthy Memorial Award Sponsor
Transwestern
 | | Amy Bowser and Chris Sowick |
 | | GWCAR President Moe Hamilton |
Leslie Keech accepts the Brendan McCarthy Award in memory of her sister, GWCAR member Suzanne Keech  Leasing Agent of the Year - DC & Regional
Andrea Reid, Axis Realty Advisors 
Jack Lavoie and Phil Meany 
2011 Broker of the Year William "Bill" Collins, Cassidy Turley |
GWCAR Golfers Enjoy Day on the Links
Despite the "liquid sunshine," a hearty crew of 96 golfers braved the elements and enjoyed a great day on the links at the annual GWCAR golf event at the Kenwood Golf and Country Club in Bethesda.  | | Barbara Isaacs (Cazador), Angela Poliskey (Cassidy Turley), Christie Chamberlain (Cresa, Washington DC), Sarah Gabriel (Washington Workplace) |
 | L-R, GWCAR Golf Committee Co-Chair Ken Smondrowski, Brian McCarthy
(McShea), Mike Brick (UBS), Brian Fitzgerald (BPG Properties, Ltd.) |
 | L-R, Bruce Strasburg (CBRE), Tim Zulick, (First Potomac Realty Trust),
Bob Cohen (Perseus), Joe Coleman (CBRE) |
 | | GWCAR President Moe Hamilton drives beverage cart |
For more photos please visit our Flickr page. Thank You Sponsors! Gold Sponsors
CoStar Group, Inc.
Cushman & Wakefield Tishman Speyer Vornado/Charles E. Smith Washington Workplace Silver Sponsors Akridge First Potomac Realty Trust
Bronze Sponsors
Cooley LLP Mack-Cali Realty Corporation Studley, Inc.
Event Bag Sponsor
Washington Workplace Hole Sponsor
Martone Construction |
Young Brokers "Night at the Shore
A Rousing Success!
CoStar's rooftop was definitely the place to be on June 14 as GWCAR's Young Brokers Committee hosted their kick-off event, "A Night at the Shore." With balmy breezes blowing and Orange Crushes in hand, attendees sipped, chatted, and noshed on delicious lobster, crab, and shrimp rolls from Luke's Lobster. Lucky winners snagged some great prizes donated by the sponsors, including, Coldplay and Dave Matthews Band tickets, Nats club-level seats, gift certificates, an iPad, and more! See prize winners Check out more pics on Flickr  Thank You Sponsors! Host Sponsor
CoStar Group, Inc.
Specialty Sponsors
The JBG Companies Washington Group Sales/Kimball Office Luke's Lobster Sponsors
Boston Properties/Cresa Washington DC
Event Sponsors
Akridge
Bognet Construction
First Potomac Realty Trust
Herman Miller
K & G Project Management
Paramount Group, Inc.
Public Properties
Vornado/Charles E. Smith
Washington Workplace |
 Attention Young Brokers! Being a GWCAR member has its privileges... If you are 35 or younger on January 1, 2012, you can receive a $50 discount on your GWCAR dues! Sign up today Interested in joining GWCAR's Young Brokers' Committee?
Stay tuned for other events from the Young Brokers Committee coming soon!
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Rick Rome Kicks Off New
Breakfast of Champions Series
GWCAR kicked off its new Breakfast of Champions series on June 28 at the City Club of Washington with a power breakfast featuring Rick Rome, Executive Managing Director and Co-Branch Manager of Studley's Washington, DC office. With more than 27 years of experience representing tenants in the DC region, Rick shared his tips for keeping clients over the long haul, including the qualities of landlord brokers he enjoys working with and the importance of keeping the deal and the client ethical. 
Rick shares his insights with the group
L-R, GWCAR Treasurer Andy Eichberg, Rick Rome, GWCAR President-Elect Mark Sullivan |
Thank You to Our 2012 Sponsors!
Platinum Washington Workplace
Gold CoStar Group, Inc.
Cushman & Wakefield
Tishman Speyer
Vornado/ Charles E. Smith
Silver
Akridge
First Potomac Realty Trust
Bronze Cooley LLP
Studley, Inc.
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N E W M E M B E R S P O T L I G H T
Matt Garcell
Associate, CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) 
How long have you been in the business? 2 ˝ years
Why did you join GWCAR?
To join the premier organization representing the interests of the commercial real estate field and to enhance my relationships in the local real estate community.
What have you gotten out of the organization so far?
I recently joined the Young Brokers Committee and helped organize a very successful kick-off event. That event alone introduced me to over 50 new people that I did not know. I am also actively participating in the mentoring program which provides valuable information for me to be a better broker.
What would you like to see the organization focusing on in the future?
Increasing membership within the young brokerage community and creating a network for all of us to benefit from.
W E L C O M E N E W M E M B E R S!*
Phillip Dickinson, Washington Real Estate Investment Trust Todd Douglas, Weichert, REALTORS Ashley Elkin, CB Richard Ellis Matthew Garcell, CB Richard Ellis Kyle Martin, The Ezra Company
Michael Sims, Sperry Van Ness Advisory Real Estate LaVonne Torrence, Torrence Real Estate Services Affiliate Members Gavin Daniels, Wingate Hughes Architects Noble Diller, Dirtt Environmental Solutions David Parrish, Dirtt Environmental Solutions Kelly Whittingham, Dirtt Environmental Solutions * From 4/12/12 - 7/02/12 |
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Summer's Here... Get Travel Benefits from the National Association of REALTORS®
As a GWCAR member, you're a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), and as a NAR member, you are entitled to benefits in a number of areas, including insurance, tech tools, and travel and car discounts from the big three car rental companies- Avis, Hertz, and Budget. Read more
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1st and 2nd Quarter 2012 Market Reports
Courtesy of Cassidy Turley
1Q Washington, DC Market Report The continued shift towards more efficient space usage and cost containment efforts curtailed tenant demand for office space in the Washington, DC market in the first quarter of 2012. Read more Maryland Market Report
The first quarter of 2012 did not continue on the positive path where 2011 ended. Read more Northern Virginia Market Report The Northern Virginia office market contracted in the first quarter of 2012 due to public and private sector consolidations and relocations associated with BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) initiatives. Read more
2Q
Washington, DC Market Report
The Washington, DC office market experienced an overall low level of office demand in the second quarter as uncertainty about future Federal Government leasing requirements prevailed and landlords competed for a finite set of tenants in the market. Read more
Maryland Market Report
The suburban Maryland office market showed signs of slight improvement as net demand for office space registered a negative 28,000 square feet during the second quarter compared to the negative 54,000 square feet in the first quarter of 2012. Read more
Northern Virginia Market Report
After enduring its lowest net absorption in the past decade during the first quarter of 2012, office demand improved in 15 of 22 submarkets in the second quarter in the Northern Virginia. Read more
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GWCAR Gives Back
West, Lane & Schlager Helps Revitalize the
John Burroughs Education Campus
West, Lane & Schlager (WLS) Realty Advisors, LLC recently teamed up with three other local businesses in conjunction with City Year Washington, DC to beautify the John Burroughs Educational Campus at 1820 Monroe Street, NE.
About 100 volunteers from WLS, GHT Ltd., HSU Builders and OTJ Architects - as well as staff members from City Year Washington, DC - came together in June to enhance the quality of life for students at the John Burroughs Educational Campus.
Working both indoors and outdoors, the volunteers completed a range of tasks. They constructed benches, laid down brick and gravel, landscaped, and replanted gardens.
They also painted numerous wonderful murals, including one in the gymnasium with blue and yellow squares; one outside that features more than a half-dozen different colors along with silhouettes of children; and several inside along one hallway that depict classic books such as "Curious George" and "Green Eggs and Ham."
Additionally, the four co-sponsors each made a financial donation as part of their overall commitment to help pay for some of the supplies.
"We do so much work in this community, and many of our clients are nonprofit organizations and trade associations," said GWCAR Board Member and WLS Principal Mindy Saffer, LEED AP. "That's why we felt partnering with City Year Washington, DC presented the perfect opportunity for us to give back."
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DC PUBLIC POLICY UPDATE
 On June 5, the Council voted and passed the Budget Support Act and Budget Request Act. Read more
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News from NAR Commercial
New Commercial Benefits Program
NAR's recent Commercial podcast outlined the new developments and member benefits for NAR Commercial REALTORS®. Learn about the changes in the marketplace for commercial property listings, research, solutions and more. Read more
NAR Signs Letter Supporting
U.S. REIT Act
Find out what's in the bill and how NAR is supporting it. Read more
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MARYLAND PUBLIC POLICY UPDATE
A second special session to take up the issue of gambling still remains at a 50/50 chance. This would be a discussion on the expansion of gambling including a full-fledged casino in Prince George's County.
Read more
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VIRGINIA PUBLIC POLICY UPDATE
 VAR Board of Director Defers Decision on Increasing Pre-Licensing Hours
With questions and concerns still unanswered, including many of the commercial-related questions we at GWCAR raised, the Virginia Association of REALTORS® (VAR's) Board deferred to at least October a decision on increasing pre-license hours from the current 60 hours to 120, and requested more detail on a proposed curriculum. Read more
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Save the Date MealTOUR October 25! |
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GWCAR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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GWCAR SENIOR
ADVISORY COUNCIL
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President
Moe Hamilton
Cushman & Wakefield
President-Elect Mark Sullivan
Cassidy Turley
Immediate Past President
Gary Cook
Vornado/Charles E. Smith
Treasurer
Andrew Eichberg
Tishman Speyer
Secretary & CEO
Amy Ritsko-Warren
GWCAR
DC REGION DIRECTORS
Katie Gorretta
Chair,
Akridge
Amy Bowser
Jones Lang LaSalle
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Andrew Felber
CB Richard Ellis
Randy Lennon
Cushman & Wakefield MD REGION DIRECTORS Ken Smondrowski, Chair Mack-Cali Realty Corporation David Dochter
Cushman & Wakefield
Mark Ezra
The Ezra Company
Mindy Saffer West, Lane & Schlager LLC |
VA REGION DIRECTORS
Rich Rhodes, Chair,
Cresa Washington DC
Matthew Levin
West, Lane & Schlager LLC
Wright Sigmund
Vornado/Charles E. Smith
Susan Sonley
Grubb & Ellis
DIRECTORS AT LARGE
Art Greenberg
Studley, Inc.
James Molloy
Jones Lang LaSalle
Jud Ryan
Cassidy Turley
PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEES Peter Marcin Cushman & Wakefield Pat Nalls Newmark Knight Frank | Marty Almquist
Eric Berkman
David Bevirt
Scott Brody
Brendan Cassidy
Lou Christopher
Bill Collins
Stephen Conley
Brian Connolly
Gary Cook
Audrey Cramer
Jim Creedon
Caulley
Deringer
Dave DiNardo
Zeke Dodson
Dan Dooley
Rick Farren
Brian Fitzgerald
Scott Frankel
Thomas
Fulcher, Jr.
Art Greenberg
Moe Hamilton
Trip Howell
Scott Johnston
John Kevill
Rich Lane
Roberta Liss
John McEvilly
Brian McVay
| Philip Meany, Jr.
Glenn Meltzer
Greg Meyer
Pat Nalls
Sharon Oliver
Jay Olshonsky
Douglas Olson
Nick Pappas
Bruce Pascal
Susan Pepper
William
Prutting, Jr.
Art Santry
Julie Schuelke
Robert Schwartz
Paul Schweitzer
Neil Simon
Chris Sowick
Spencer
Stouffer
Mark Sullivan
Susan Thomas
Phillip
Thomas, Jr.
Bob VeShancey
Lois Zambo
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