Education
BOMA began more than 100 years ago when several local commercial real estate associations from Chicago, Minneapolis and other cities came together with the shared goal of improving conditions surrounding building design, construction and management. Having already sparked national interest individually, these associations decided to come together in 1907 to form the National Association of Building Owners and Managers, which would eventually become BOMA.
In the following decades, BOMA played a significant role in moving the commercial real estate industry forward in many ways, like encouraging the modernization of buildings in a post-Depression America, including how to navigate incorporating air conditioning, modern lighting and soundproofing. After moving headquarters to D.C. in 1976, BOMA has made an even more powerful impact on political issues, including weighing in on issues like rent control and the energy crisis in the 1970s.
BOMA began looking at workforce development more than 50 years ago, and created BOMI as an independent institute, providing top-tier education courses and certifications for commercial real estate professionals. In 2023, BOMA and BOMI merged to become one trusted source for industry resources and career advancement.
BOMA/BOMI continues to be a leading influence in the world of commercial real estate, continuing our century-long legacy of developing and improving standards and best practices for our industry, and elevating the level of expertise within it. It is our vision that we will continue to shape and equip the industry for the next century and beyond.