President’s Letter – 2023
Dear COLBA Members,
I am humbled and excited to write to you as the new President of this great organization. We have all weathered a very difficult few years and especially as an event-focused group serving our industry. The fact that our membership has remained stable, and our events were so well attended last year is a testament to our strength and the stalwart leadership of my predecessor, Dan Maslauski. Dan’s generosity of time and guidance during this transition period was nothing short of amazing and I promise to honor his legacy as I step into the role.
I would also like to extend a specific note of gratitude to our long-time Treasurer, Andrea Saewitz. She thanklessly and expertly managed the finances of this great organization for as many years as I can remember. No doubt her leadership and counsel will be missed by the COLBA Board and Executive Committee. Fear not though, she has mentored Christine Choi Moore this past year and we are in great hands for the future.
Finally, a very special thanks is also well-deserved for our Executive Director, Lauren Lakin, who took on the impossible task of filling her mom’s very large, and always fashionable, shoes. We have not missed a beat and I am filled with hope and excitement to be able to continue working with her.
Lauren, Christine and I are excited to be joined by two new members of the Executive Committee, Adam Mitchell (Vice President) and Allison Olszta (Secretary). This new leadership team vows to continue the relevant, entertaining, and thoughtful programming you have become used to from COLBA. We are also diligently working to enhance the value of your membership and I’m excited to announce some creative ideas in the coming weeks and months.
Despite the daunting headwinds, we look ahead at 2023 and beyond with optimism and the grit that we Chicagoans are not only known for but take great pride in. This year promises to be an exciting one with much to be debated and celebrated at our events.
Coming around the corner, we have an event on February 1st at 225 W Wacker hosted by Stream Realty Partners and Cushman & Wakefield. Crain’s Personal Greg Hinz will speak on the upcoming Chicago Mayoral Election.
The Annual Golf Outing at Sunset Ridge Country Club will be held on June 26, so reserve that date now as COLBA members get first access to reserve a spot at this perennially SOLD-OUT event.
2023 Membership Dues
The COLBA Board has elected the following:
$250 for renewing members
$300 for new members
Membership renewals can be paid online here if you want to cross it off your to-do list!
Members are important for shaping the direction of COLBA, so we ask that you contact the Board with your ideas and thoughts.
We are often asked “Why Join COLBA?”
COLBA is the premier commercial real estate organization in downtown Chicago! Since its inception in 1982, COLBA members and leaders represent the most active and respected real estate firms in the Chicago area.
Your continued commitment to COLBA enables us to:
Provide a forum for the exchange of information regarding the real estate market and business as a whole
Support efforts in education and charitable endeavors
Provide a social network that unites brokers to promote common business interests
… and you can win some great prizes along the way from our generous sponsors!
The COLBA Board is committed to maintaining and strengthening the organization’s focus on relevant issues and topics affecting the commercial real estate office leasing market and industry.
I hope 2023 is off to a wonderful start for you all, both personally and professionally. I am honored to serve as the COLBA President and look forward to serving you at our upcoming events.
Corby Marx – COLBA President 2023
