PHOENIX, ARIZ. (Feb. 21, 2024) – The Arizona Chapter of NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, brought home two honors from the 2024 Chapter Merit Awards (CMAs) held recently in Washington, D.C.
NAIOP Arizona President and CEO Suzanne Kinney was named Top Chapter Executive of the Year for large chapters. NAIOP Arizona tied for first in the Education Award category for its creative educational series entitled “Becoming a Tier 1 City: Addressing Challenges and Seizing Opportunities.”
NAIOP Corporate honored 11 chapters and nine individuals as part of the annual CMAs. The awards recognize success in DEI, education, legislative affairs, membership, and special events, as well as individual leader recognitions and Chapter of the Year. Recipients are selected by a committee of their peers comprised of volunteer judges.
“NAIOP continues to be the premier real estate industry group in Arizona,” said NAIOP Arizona Board Chair John Orsak, Senior Vice President, Lincoln Property Company. “Our Board and members working closely with the NAIOP staff led by Suzanne are best in class locally and nationally.”
The Outstanding Contribution by a Chapter Executive Award is presented to chapter leaders for their valued contributions, innovation, and knowledge. Kinney was NAIOP’s large chapter winner. Debra Wimpee with NAIOP Oklahoma was the small chapter winner.
“This year’s winners have developed exciting initiatives, engaged members in fresh ways, and grown their chapters’ membership,” according to a statement from NAIOP.
Under Kinney’s direction for the past 6 years, NAIOP Arizona has become the premier association representing commercial real estate in Metro Phoenix and throughout the state of Arizona. Among her accomplishments, her effectiveness in public policy advocacy stands out. Kinney has greatly enhanced the chapter’s educational and mentorship programs and elevated NAIOP Arizona’s premier events including Night at the Fights, Best of NAIOP awards, Thursday Night Live, and the annual golf tournament.
“It is an honor to be recognized among my peers in the NAIOP network,” Kinney said. “I want to thank the hard-working staff at NAIOP Arizona and our active Board of Directors for all the support they’ve provided me in growing our chapter and enhancing the benefits we provide our members.”
Kinney’s accomplishments include growing membership to more than 1,000, making Arizona the fifth-largest chapter; securing 111 corporate sponsors in 2023; implementing DEI programs at the high school and college levels to introduce students from underrepresented backgrounds to careers in commercial real estate; and successful legislative representation at the state and local levels.
The Education Award is presented to chapters that organize an exceptional program, series, event, or seminar with educational content. NAIOP Arizona tied with NAIOP Southern Nevada for the large chapter title.
In winning the Education Award, NAIOP Arizona was lauded for its series that recognizes Metro Phoenix as an emerging global city. Long considered second-tier, Metro Phoenix has become the fifth-largest metropolitan region in the U.S. and has developed a diverse and resilient economy.
The series consisted of three programs in 2023. All were in a “Lunch and Learn” format. The topics included Homelessness in Greater Phoenix; Successful Entertainment Districts, Every City Wants One; and Attainable Housing in Greater Phoenix. The goal of the series was not only to educate its members, but to provide tools for them to take action after they left the seminar.
Since 2020, NAIOP Arizona has also been recognized for its Membership Program, Legislative/Government Affairs Program, and as Large Chapter of the Year.
About NAIOP
NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, is the leading organization for developers, owners and related professionals in office, industrial, retail, multifamily and mixed-use real estate. NAIOP comprises over 21,000 members in North America. The Arizona Chapter is among the largest in the bi-national network with nearly 1,100 members and is among the largest in the 54-chapter network. For more information, visit naiop.org or naiopaz.org.
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