ABO prepares members of the next century.

ABO's mission remains clear and comprehensive: to continue to develop and maintain effective communication and networking between the real estate industry and Federal, State and City governments in every facet of the complex task of building, managing and operating real property in New York City.

Since 1910, ABO members have been shaping the world's most celebrated skyline with new development and rehabilitation projects in residential, commercial, hotel and retail properties. Through ABO affiliation, real estate professionals at every level become part of the industry's largest, most effective organization.

ABO's membership and organization have enabled us to garner an impressive list of victories in the continuing, vital campaign for a better business environment for the real estate industry. When a problem arises, we organize swiftly to present and explore pressing issues in a public forum that connects those who experience problems with those who can solve them.

Tying in with affiliated organizations throughout the United States, ABe is a working component of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the New York State Builders Association (NYSBA). Elected and appointed government officials, recognizing the complete range of businesses and activities we represent, seek our informed opinion and reaction to proposed policies at local, state, and federal levels.

ABO is comprised of several dimensions. On one level, our membership represents the region's builders, developers, owners and entrepreneurs. On another level are the professionals who service our industry - managing agents, bankers, architects, engineers, planners, building material suppliers, contractors and other allied professionals providing technical services to our industry. Additionally, ABO maintains a strong relationship with other industry associates, such as the Rent Stabilization Association (RSA) and the Real Estate Board of New York, Inc. (REBNY).

Our structure allows all elements of the real estate industry to meet in a spirit of professionalism and camaraderie. We sponsor, among other events, breakfast and luncheon meetings, educational programs and seminars, trade shows and an annual dinner dance. These programs offer our members unique forums for the exchange of information, ideas and experiences, as well as unique opportunities to forge long-lasting and profitable professional and personal relationship.

Numerous challenges and problems await us in the days and years ahead. ABO's committees, councils, programs and events are all targeted to provide our membership with the information and tools necessary to succeed through the turn of the century.

ABO's Web Page was officially introduced at the 1997 Buildings New York Show. The brainchild of ABO's Executive Director Nick LaPorte, the web site includes up-to-the-minute information and news, real estate postings, employment opportunities and products and services. Because of the interactive nature of the Internet, the ABe audience will be able to respond to a message or query immediately.

Monthly Luncheon Series: ABO's monthly luncheon meetings are a most effective way to bring the membership together - owners, builders and associates - to learn from the most experienced industry experts, as well as elected officials, about the latest proven strategies for building, owning, managing and operating real estate in New York City. In 1997, featured speakers included Gaston A. Silva, R.A., commissioner of the New York City Department of Buildings; Robert Farley, Esq., assistant to Senator Vincent Liebell, Alfred Cerullo III, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Finance; Joseph B. Lynch, Acting Commissioner of the Division of Housing and Community Renewal; Congressman Charles Schumer (D-Brooklyn); and Richard T. Roberts, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

Housing: ABO will continue to work with government and industry leaders to create models for urban housing development to alleviate the critical shortage of affordable housing in New York City.

Management: ABO has established the highest standard of management education available to management professionals through the New York City Chapter of Registered Apartment Managers (RAM). This nationally recognized and sanctioned program provides essential training to property management professionals, one of New York City's most demanding and necessary professions.

Special Seminars and Programs: ABO remains responsive to the information needs of its members by developing a comprehensive series of seminars designed to provide up-to-date information on issues important to the real estate industry.

The Buildings/NY Show: Although ABO's industry trade show has changed names in recent years (it was formerly known as the New York Real Estate Industry Show and ABO/XPO), it is one of the more prominent shows for the real estate industry. In fact, it has grown to include not only New York City exhibitors, but many regional and national companies and firms as well.

Legislative Initiatives: ABO, together with REBNY, RSA and CHIP, will continue to voice its views on industry issues at every level of government. ABO's leaders testify at crucial legislative hearings. It is one of the most important ways that ABO makes its positions heard.

Our Law Committee, one of our greatest assets, reviews all pending legislation and issues position papers. Through our Albany arm, the New York State Builders Association, we are kept abreast of legislative activity related to the industry. By attending meetings with top state officials, submitting written positions on pending legislation and lobbying for the causes we espouse, we effectively represent our industry at the most vital levels of government.

United with the 185,000 active members of the National Association of Home Builders, ABO members are assured of their impact on many federal issues, including tax reform, budget deficits and policy-making in various areas affecting the industry. The tremendous resources of the Washington-based NAHB are also available to ABO members, as are effective political action committees (PACs) at the federal, state and local levels.

Locally, we are just as diligent. Our testimony is routinely sought and given before the City Council, as well as hearings before other regulatory agencies whose guidelines and directives affect real estate in New York City. In addition, top City officials are regular speakers at ABO luncheons and meetings of our Board of Governors.

Publications: ABO's quarterly news magazine - ABO Developments - highlights all aspects of real estate in New York City which affect our membership. From reports on pending and proposed legislative initiatives to member profiles and topical articles on industry trends, this publication keeps our membership involved.

Worker's Compensation: At ABO's January 1997 luncheon, it was announced that the ABO Safety Group premium savings - for the first time in New York State history - reached an all-time high with a dividend of 52.5 percent. Added to the 25 percent upfront premium discount, ABO members can now save over 70 percent on their worker's compensation premiums.

Currently, there are over 3,500 buildings in the ABO Safety Group whose employees are covered. Recognizing the needed savings to housing companies, ABO created a special membership class for "multi-family, City, State and Federally-Supervised Housing Companies" with special reduced fees.

"The program is only open to ABO members," said ABO President Jerome Belson. "However, with the significant cost of worker's compensation, it seems to me that every building owner and manager in New York City would want to join this program."

Life Insurance: A comprehensive program which offers life insurance without a medical examination is now available.

Industry Philanthropy: Maintaining the tradition of charitable activities established by supporting the Kalikow Camp for Handicapped Boy Scouts, the City's homeless population, and United Cerebral Palsy of Greater New York, ABO will continue to generate benevolent interest within the real estate industry and with New York City's citizens.

Special Committees: ABO formed the Financial Services Committee and the Law Committee specifically to present the enormous amount of information available to ABO members in an organized and codified manner.