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8 C E L E B R AT I N G 3 5 Y E A R S O F R E S P O N S I B L E D E V E LO P M E N T "T hink of MEREDA as a three-legged stool," suggests recently-retired MEREDA Board Member Bruce Jones. "One of those legs represents the advocacy work in Augusta; the second leg represents the educational events; the third leg represents all of the networking opportunities. Those three legs really support the entire real estate and development industry in Maine." A er spending fi een years designing chic and streamlined office spaces with Creative Office Pavilion, Jones would know a thing or two about stools. His furniture-themed metaphor correctly emphasizes the impor- tance of both the educational and networking events MEREDA provides: they form the strong foundation necessary to support the entire association. MEREDA volunteers like Jones donate countless hours cultivating fertile ground to foster conversation at every level of the real estate and development industries. MEREDA's lineup of events provides quality opportunities for professionals all year long. The highly-anticipated Forecast and Spring Conferences pack a one-two punch in the first half of the year, effectively setting the stage for the year's remaining educational events. Panels and Predictions Every January, MEREDA's Forecast Conference and Member Showcase brings together the leading economic and development minds in the state to take their best look into the crystal ball of Maine's real estate and economic future. With data-driven and forward-facing re- gional overviews covering the Maine markets from Kittery to Bangor, along with analyses of recent legislative agendas, the Forecast Conference has become an indispensable tool of essential perspectives for real estate and development industry professionals seeking the most up-to-date information on the economic well-being of Maine. Over the years, attendance has grown from an intimate group of development devotees to over one thousand. When Shelly Clark, MEREDA's Vice President of Operations, started with the association in 1997, Forecast Conference attendance totalled 105 people. "We thought that was amazing," Clark laughs, "We couldn't believe we had over one hundred people! And now to see it at one thousand is just so incredible." MEREDA's Member Showcase supple- ments the Forecast Conference, harmonizing formal market and industrial forecasts with professional displays and opportunities for attendees to connect on a more interactive level. Businesses and individuals invest in showroom booth space, resulting in a veri- table hive of networking. To former MEREDA board member and current president of CHA Architecture, Brian Curley, a booth at the Member Showcase can make or break a company's Forecast experience: "We've received work directly from interactions at our booth," Curley emphasizes, "It's also a great chance to raise your flag and claim your space at the Conference." Where the Forecast Conference takes a birds-eye view on the entire state, the Spring Conference focuses on a singular, current theme, chosen by the Conference Committee. The Committee o en invites a nationally- recognized expert to deliver the keynote address, which serves as the touchstone of the Conference. Following the keynote presenta- tion, a panel of Maine-based professionals representing all facets of the industry distills the national outlook and applies the essential message to Maine. On-trend themes such as housing, new urbanism, and workforce challenges all bring enormous impact to bear on the real estate and development industry. The 2020 Spring Conference aims to underscore Maine's Bicentennial with an in-depth look at the industries that have pro- pelled Maine through the last two hundred years, and those promising to do so in the coming centuries. For current Committee Co-Chair, Shannon Richards, the power of the Spring Conference is its timing. "It's the perfect time of year to apply information and data to a company's current events. Everyone is interested and engaged. In an association like MEREDA, The ballroom at MEREDA's 2020 Forecast Conference BUILDING AN INFORMED GENERATION: MEREDA's Cutting-Edge Conferences & Professional Development "Investing in a good plan has beneficial effects downstream."