Building Owners and Managers Association

Building Owners and Managers Association
Name	Building Owners and Managers Association
Abbreviation	BOMA
Formation	1907
Type	Trade association
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Region served	International
Membership	Building owners, managers, developers, investors, service providers

Building Owners and Managers Association is a trade association representing owners and managers of commercial real estate, particularly office buildings, industrial properties, and mixed‑use assets. It provides advocacy, standards, professional development, and benchmarking tools for property professionals across North America and internationally. The association engages with legislative bodies, standards organizations, and industry groups to influence building codes, tax policy, sustainability, and facility operations.

History

Founded in 1907 during an era of rapid urban development, the association emerged amid conversations that included figures and organizations such as John D. Rockefeller, Theodore Roosevelt, American Institute of Architects, and municipal building departments in cities like New York City and Chicago. Throughout the 20th century it intersected with landmark events and institutions including the Great Depression, the New Deal, the Federal Reserve System, and postwar urban renewal projects connected to agencies such as the United States Housing Authority. In the late 20th century the association engaged with regulatory and professional movements exemplified by Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air‑Conditioning Engineers, and International Organization for Standardization initiatives. Into the 21st century it has responded to shifts driven by actors like United Nations Environment Programme, European Commission, and advocacy around events such as the Hurricane Katrina recovery and sustainability programs connected to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design discussions.

Organization and Governance

Governance structures draw from corporate and non‑profit models seen at entities such as American Medical Association, Chamber of Commerce of the United States, National Association of Realtors, U.S. Green Building Council, and international federations including International Facility Management Association. Leadership comprises elected boards and executive officers with oversight comparable to boards at MetLife, JLL (company), CBRE Group, Inc., and industry foundations tied to institutions like Harvard University and Columbia University. Committees work with standards bodies such as ANSI and partner organizations like ASHRAE, Society of American Engineers, and regional regulators including state legislatures and municipal councils in places like California and Texas.

Programs and Certifications

The association administers credentialing and training programs analogous to certifications from Project Management Institute, Association of Energy Engineers, and International WELL Building Institute. Programs cover property management, operations, sustainability, and safety with continuing education comparable to courses at Cornell University and certificate series offered by Massachusetts Institute of Technology programs. Notable programs align with performance benchmarking and tenant services used by firms such as Brookfield Properties, Vornado Realty Trust, and Simon Property Group.

Standards and Publications

It publishes measurement standards, guidance documents, and industry research similar to outputs from ISO, ASHRAE, American National Standards Institute, RICS, and research arms of universities like University of Pennsylvania and University of California, Berkeley. Key publications support space measurement, energy benchmarking, and operational best practices used alongside tools from Energy Star, LEED, and reports by consultancies such as McKinsey & Company and Deloitte. The association’s standards inform lease negotiations and valuation frameworks used by appraisers linked to Appraisal Institute and investment analysis performed by Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's.

Advocacy and Industry Impact

Advocacy efforts intersect with legislative and regulatory agendas involving institutions such as the United States Congress, Internal Revenue Service, Securities and Exchange Commission, and state public utility commissions. The association engages with climate, resilience, and urban policy debates alongside entities like C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, World Resources Institute, and municipal resilience offices in cities like Seattle and Miami. Its influence is visible in tax policy discussions reminiscent of interactions between National Association of Home Builders and federal lawmakers, and in building code and retrofit incentives paralleling those advocated by American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

Membership and Regional Chapters

Membership spans owners, managers, developers, leasing agents, asset managers, and service providers similar to membership profiles at International Council of Shopping Centers, National Multifamily Housing Council, and Institute of Real Estate Management. Regional chapters operate across metropolitan areas and provinces, collaborating with local bodies such as city planning departments in Los Angeles, provincial authorities in Ontario, and state associations in New York (state) and Florida. Chapters coordinate events, benchmarking, and training in partnership with academic programs at institutions like University of Toronto and McGill University.

Category:Trade associations Category:Commercial real estate