Miles McDonald, Audiovisual Technology Consultant, VisionPoint LLC

• Tell me how you first got involved in with CoreNet:

I first heard about CoreNet from a colleague that invited me to the event at Diageo at the beginning of 2018.

• What is your first memory related to CoreNet?

My first event at Diageo

• What has surprised you most being a member and in your various roles?

Having attended other networking groups, both related to corporate real estate and other industries, I was surprised how close-knit CoreNet’s CT Westchester group was. Everyone seemed to know each other and yet they were still very welcoming to new people.

• What do you find most challenging about CoreNet?

The largest challenge I have had with CoreNet is adjusting to the pace that business is done. The real estate industry does not move incredibly fast. Trusting relationships take years to develop and most projects we work on can also take months or years, so as a young up-and-coming CRE professional, nothing ever seems to happen fast enough for me.

• What do you wish other people knew about CoreNet?

I would tell them that CoreNet is home to some of the most successful professionals in the CRE field and that CoreNet offers a great opportunity to learn from those people

• Tell me about some of the people you have met while working on CoreNet

There is no shortage of incredible people that I have met during my time at CoreNet. Everyone in our chapter is willing to go out of their way to help the younger generation grow and I think that is very special

• Tell me about someone who has influenced your decision to work with Corenet.

I would like to highlight Michael Byrne. Michael is the Chairman of our Young Leaders Committee and one of the first things he did as the chairman was give me the opportunity and freedom to plan our Young Leaders’ Speed Networking Event back in October 2019. Michael demonstrated great leadership by allowing me to take initiative with the event, all while staying involved and active throughout the planning and execution of the event. Michael very clearly excels at being a visionary, but he also has the ability to empower others and delegate tasks.

• What might someone be surprised to know about you?

Before entering the Corporate Real Estate space as an audiovisual integrator, I worked in radio at iHeartMedia and Hall Communications.

• What would you tell someone who is thinking about joining a local CoreNet chapter?

First, I would say that you should reach out to your local chapter president and ask them if you can attend the next event. Then you should ask yourself why you want to join, what can CoreNet do for you, and what you can you do for the chapter.

• What do you think will change about our chapter over the next five years?

My first concern is how COVID-19 is going to affect face-to-face networking. I believe that the face-to-face interaction is a very important component for CoreNet so we will need to address that in the coming months and years. We need to start looking at better ways to supplement the face-to-face networking.

• What sorts of trends do you see with CoreNet and in the industry?

It is really difficult to speculate at this time, but I would think there will be a large reduction in on-site employees, an uptick in video conferencing, and more small remote offices rather than large corporate campuses.

• What do you do when you aren't working or volunteering with CoreNet?

My wife and I have two small children, a two-year-old son and four-year-old daughter, so they take up much of the time that we are not at work. Prior to COVID-19, I played basketball about twice a week in various men’s leagues around CT, and lately I’ve been running, hiking, biking, and trying to stay active in new ways.

• What else can you tell me about your experience with CoreNet?

I believe long term success in your career is achieved by acquiring knowledge of your trade and any associated trades, how you chose to conduct business, and who you know. CoreNet provides great opportunities to excel at all three of these aspects. At CoreNet, you’ll be exposed to experts from your field, related fields, and meet people who will change the course of your career.