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Thanks to all who attended the SMBA Dinner Meeting on January 24th featuring premiere economist Matthew Gardner. We were so fortunate to have this nationally recognized expert speak to our group; hearing his bright forecast for our region was a great way to start the year! Our unemployment rate is about 1% lower than the national average indicating we’re starting to emerge from the recession. In addition, Matthew predicts the Northwest will be one of the best areas for real estate stabilization and growth in 2012. He attributes this economic resiliency to “the five B’s” which include: Boeing, Byte (high tech companies like Microsoft, Expedia), Biotech companies, Benefactors such as the Gates Foundation who donate $2 billion a year and batteries (auto industry and carbon technology). Click here to view a PDF of his presentation.
You won’t want to miss our SMBA Dinner Meeting on February 28th! We’ll be joined by Elizabeth Bowman, President at Innovatively Organized. Elizabeth will share practical tips to help us improve productivity and gain control of our time. For more information, click here.
Thanks to Jeff Jensen who led a group of industry leaders to SMBA/WMLA Legislative Day on January 26th. They met with state senators and representatives to discuss the importance of allowing mortgage interest deductions to continue and other key housing issues. We appreciate Jeff and this contingency of professionals for being our voice and promoting industry interests!
I’m excited about the promise of a new year and look forward to the great things we’ll accomplish together in 2012. Thank you all for the energy and commitment you bring to SMBA.
“Don’t leave your future to chance. Choose it.”
Respectfully,
Sharon Knowles
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