Produced by:
The Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS (SIOR)
and Commercial Gateway, the Commercial Division of the Houston Association of REALTORS®
Commercial EXPO is the event that brings commercial brokers together with developers, service firms and economic development professionals. Brokers have an opportunity to learn about the newly developed properties that are being brought to market and meet the marketing teams that are presenting the properties. Developers are able to meet the brokers that are active in their market areas. The Economic Development organizations have the opportunity to promote their areas to developers and discuss incentives and other opportunities with the brokerage community. If you make a living in Commercial real estate, you will want to attend Commercial EXPO.
As the name implies, Commercial EXPO is the place where firms can exhibit their products and services. The format of Commercial EXPO has changed during the years to enhance the experience for exhibitors and to improve the interaction between attendees. Food and beverage has always been an important part of the equation. The location in the Galleria area and the time, at the end of the workday, makes this event convenient to the many professionals in the area. The pipe and drape tradeshow format has been updated to include large-format, gallery-type displays that are 4 feet high and from 6- to 8-feet wide. Graphics are provided by sponsors and exhibitors in electronic files; EXPO’s production staff prints and hangs the graphics on plastic using Velcro. Exhibitors and sponsors can then easily take down, roll-up and take the graphics for reuse.
Tickets are available for $50 in advance, and there are other more cost-effective ways to get into the show. Exhibitors and sponsors receive a bundle of tickets as part of their EXPO agreement. The Brokerage Sponsorship is the most cost-effective way to attend; a firm receives 15 EXPO passes and recognition on the sponsor’s display for $500. To register, visit www.har.com/commercialexpo and click on the EXPO registration link.
Since its inception in 1983, Commercial EXPO has evolved to become the premier networking event that brings Houston’s commercial brokerage and development communities together. The 1983 EXPO was called “Developer Day” and was held in the Knoll Furniture Showroom. Part of the motivation for the event in 1983 was that market conditions had softened, and many developments were engaged in marketing to the brokerage community. The Houston economy in 2010 is stronger and more diversified than it was in 1983, but brokers, developers and service providers still need to gather and share information.
So come be a part of a great Houston tradition at Commercial EXPO. Most show proceeds pay for the food, beverage and production costs of the event, while the local SIOR Chapter and Commercial Gateway utilize the net proceeds to further the educational and other initiatives of those organizations. For additional information on participation opportunities, follow the link on the front page of www.har.com/commercialgateway or call Heather Amos at (713) 629-1900 ext. 278.
