By Kelly Smith
A common observation among the local business community is that Winnipeg offers a unique balance: The city’s large enough to offer ample opportunities, yet small enough to make relationship-building feel personal. For more than forty years, BOMA Manitoba has served as the connection point for the commercial real estate industry and the businesses that serve it.
Shane Storie has seen firsthand how BOMA events bring the right people into the room.
“Connecting with different members – including board and committee members – at these events is a great way to understand the industry and see what matters to property managers, building owners, and service providers,” says Storie.
The founder and President of SRS Signs & Service, Storie is a longtime BOMA member and former board member, and he remains an active committee participant. In his view, BOMA events bring together the right mix of people: decision makers, trades professionals, suppliers, and property managers, all in one space.
“Each person or company joins BOMA for a different reason and that’s what makes it special,” says Storie. He says he finds the atmosphere at the association’s regular luncheons, industry breakfasts, golf tournaments, and other events to be welcoming and relaxed, making it easy to spark real conversations.
Feedback from BOMA’s recent member survey seems to reinforce those points. Nearly 100% of survey respondents said they “feel welcome when attending BOMA events.” And 93% of members surveyed indicate that BOMA membership has helped them “make valuable industry connections.”
The real value of these gatherings is the mix of people and the open environment that encourages genuine conversations.
– Dom Constantini
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
For those companies looking at the ‘big picture’, BOMA membership can indeed be more than just one-off networking opportunities at events; the connections made through BOMA can yield long-term relationships and serve as a catalyst for business growth.
As Dom Costantini, President of BLDR explains, the real value of these gatherings is the mix of people and the open environment that encourages genuine conversations.
“When you meet someone new, it’s not about ‘the sale’ immediately, but about building relationships that can grow over time,” he says. Costantini also points out that the pre-assigned seating at some events helps break the ice by encouraging attendees to meet and talk to new people, rather than “sticking with familiar faces.”
According to BOMA Executive Director Tom Thiessen, that sense of intentional connection is part of what makes BOMA so effective. BOMA events are also (relatively) exclusive; only dues-paying members and their guests are invited to attend the association’s events in Manitoba.
“We really stress the importance of membership here; we couldn’t do this work without the incredible support of our member firms,” says Thiessen. “Annual member dues directly contribute to our work in supporting the industry, and not just putting on regular events. That work also includes our research, advocacy, publications, training and education.”
Both Storie and Thiessen agree that attending BOMA’s industry events is one of the most effective ways to meet with fellow building industry professionals, gain insight, and to forge meaningful relationships. With a membership renewal rate that hovers around 95% annually, the guest list stays remarkably consistent, giving members repeated opportunities to cross paths, deepen conversations, and turn familiar faces into trusted business contacts.
Pearce McDonald, Property Manager for Primaris REIT, has seen how those repeat interactions can turn casual chats into real opportunities.
McDonald recalls meeting a new contractor at the annual curling bonspiel: “We were just talking casually, found out what they specialized in, and didn’t think much of it,” he says. “At the next BOMA event, we bumped into them again, had a longer chat, exchanged cards, and now they’re doing our parking lot sweeping and line painting.”
“It all happened naturally,” says McDonald.
That’s the kind of connection that begins with a handshake and strengthens over multiple touchpoints. BOMA member events are designed to foster exactly that.
You never know what can come from a discussion with someone new.
– Pearce McDonald
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO NETWORK AT A BOMA EVENT?
Costantini, Storie and McDonald offer several tips on how to make the most out of one’s networking efforts at industry events.
Costantini, the construction industry veteran, reiterates that the most successful members bring to the events a ‘genuine connection’ mindset, rather than a quick sales pitch. He points to Storie as a perfect example: “The guy that talks to everybody, wears his Jets jersey, and talks about life, never business.”
Indeed, the best networkers seem to view their work as a marathon not a sprint. Storie suggests that new Allied members shouldn’t expect instant results.
“I’ve seen companies that join for one year, don’t do anything extra to be involved, and then say that they ‘didn’t get the value’ or ‘didn’t make any connections!’’ says Storie. “In reality, good networking is about building relationships, not just selling a product or service.”
McDonald offers luncheon-specific advice. “I like to sit at tables with different people … I actually prefer not to sit with the same people I’ve already met,” he says. “The events are an opportunity to meet new people and companies. You never know what can come from a discussion with someone new.”
All three members agree that every conversation is an opportunity to learn, share, and grow one’s network. Those efforts can turn a simple handshake into a lasting connection.
BEYOND THE BUSINESS CARD: FOLLOWING UP AFTER THE EVENT
The relationship-building work doesn’t stop once an event ends, says Costantini. Some real networking magic also happens in the follow-up.
“After the event, I will reach out and invite people to breakfast,” says Costanitini. “That’s where you really get to know someone beyond the room.”
Different members have their own style of keeping the conversation going, he says, but the goal is the same: Turning a quick introduction into a meaningful relationship. As a property manager, McDonald takes a similar approach but leans on email for following up.
“I usually start with an email because it’s straightforward,” says McDonald, the Grant Park Shopping Centre property manager since 2024. “If I see potential, I connect them with our Operations Manager to explore further. LinkedIn’s good too, but email kicks off the conversation and keeps it genuine.”
Storie explains how he blends his ‘old-school approach’ with today’s tools. “I still LOVE collecting business cards when I attend functions,” he says. “When I get back to the shop, I like to email along some information on myself and how SRS Signs got its start. I also send info. on all the types of signs we can make.
“Once they’ve had a chance to respond, I then go to LinkedIn and request to connect. I like that they have a little background on SRS and me so the next time they have something to quote, they think of us.”
A common refrain from Storie, Costantini and McDonald is that networking isn’t about handing out the most business cards. It’s about understanding what matters to the people you meet, what their goals are, and seeing if yours align.
“Real networking is about building relationships,” says Storie, “not just selling a product or service.”