Corporate Real Estate (CRE): Advancing the profession in a rapidly shifting environment
Corporate real estate professionals are dealing with shifting workforce demands and looking for new ways to enhance workplaces amid the return to office trend. ANVR via getty images
Corporate real estate (CRE) professionals from across North America will come together in Anaheim, California, October 27 to 29, for the 2025 CoreNet Global Summit, North America. These CRE practitioners will be sharing strategies for preparing for the future during a time of significant change. A key theme will be driving innovation amid shifting workforce needs, new economic pressures, and the heightened focus on sustainability and inclusivity in the buildings and other facilities in which employees work.
CoreNet Global represents nearly 10,000 CRE professionals in more than 50 countries, and one of its thriving chapters is the CoreNet Global Canadian Chapter – headquartered in Toronto with members across the country, primarily in the major centres of Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver.
“At a time when real estate decision-makers are dealing with challenging conditions and new demands, professional development and connecting with other CRE experts is particularly valuable,” says Colleen Baldwin, president of the CoreNet Global Canadian Chapter. “Belonging to CoreNet Global connects you to a diverse group of professionals for sharing of ‘best practices’ in your marketplace.”
Unlike many associations whose members are from the same profession and have similar roles, CoreNet’s membership reflects the breadth of stakeholders involved in corporate real estate.
“CoreNet Global’s strength is that it fosters connections across disciplines and functions in corporate real estate and brings together the users of CRE services with those who supply those services,” Ms. Baldwin says.
Some of CoreNet Global’s members are in the “corporate end user” category – executives who manage real estate assets for financial institutions, technology companies and many other organizations whose primary business is not real estate. Other members are partners and service suppliers to the end users, including brokers, designers, engineers, architects, landlords, developers and all of the trades who sell within the industry.”
“After a period of uncertainty about whether office work would ever rebound, many organizations are mandating or encouraging a return to the workplace. It’s not just a boom for the landlords but for the entire industry – the builders, the designers and the various contractors. The resurgence is creating jobs and healthy cities. ”
Current and emerging trends in CRE
When changes occur in the broader economic and social environments, CRE professionals help organizations navigate those changes.
The current return to office trend is one that is influencing the CRE role.
“COVID fuelled more remote work, which meant that office buildings had high vacancy rates and the downtown cores of cities suffered,” Ms. Baldwin says. “After a period of uncertainty about whether office work would ever rebound, many organizations are mandating or encouraging a return to the workplace.”
Now, the CRE industry is in the midst of a boom, she says. “It’s not just a boom for the landlords but for the entire industry – the builders, the designers and the various contractors. The resurgence is creating jobs and healthy cities.”
As new properties are built and existing ones refurbished, CRE decision-makers are focusing on sustainability and inclusive design, which are not optional but increasingly “the cost of doing business” for organizations.
“Environmental and social responsibility is woven into every aspect of corporate real estate these days,” Ms. Baldwin says. “Companies expanding their real estate footprint need to find offsetting improvements in sustainable features, for example, developing buildings certified under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.”
Another important challenge, perhaps not understood, for CRE professionals is to find new ways to protect business continuity in the event of a disruption in work caused by external events, which can include a power outage, cyber security breach or extreme weather event.
“Another growing priority is to create enhanced workplace experiences that employees can thrive in,” Ms. Baldwin adds.
“CoreNet Global is more than a professional network – it’s a catalyst for growth, connection and innovation in corporate real estate. As a member and Chair of the Membership Committee for the Canadian Chapter, I’ve seen firsthand how CoreNet Global empowers professionals with access to industry-leading insights, peer collaboration and opportunities to shape the future of our field. Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge, build meaningful relationships or elevate your impact, CoreNet Global delivers unmatched value.”
The value of professional development
CoreNet Global is a resource to help professionals from all aspects of corporate real estate advance their skills to deal with current challenges and goals.
There are numerous professional entry points into a CRE career and in many cases, practitioners have degrees other than real estate. They gain expertise on the job and through CoreNet Global, which provides globally recognized professional designation programs and other development programs customized for CRE professionals.
“I began in interior design and now I have a CRE role in Scotiabank as head of global design strategy & transformation,” Ms. Baldwin says. “Many CRE professionals came from non-real estate backgrounds and professional education helps them learn about all relevant areas of expertise and round out their skills and knowledge.
CoreNet Global offers two professional designation programs: Qualified Professional of Corporate Real Estate (QPCR) and Master of Corporate Real Estate (MCR). Other specialized certificate programs are also available: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Employee Experience (EX) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).
“The CoreNet Global Canadian Chapter provides a wealth of educational and informational sessions to help members learn about strategies to enhance their CRE practices and careers. An updated market outlook session is held annually, there are frequent leadership development events, and presentations are made on topics that include the impact of artificial intelligence in CRE and the future of health and wellness in the office industry.”
The CoreNet Global Canadian Chapter provides a wealth of educational and informational sessions to help members learn about strategies to enhance their CRE practices and careers. An updated market outlook session is held annually, there are frequent leadership development events, and presentations are made on topics that include the impact of artificial intelligence in CRE and the future of health and wellness in the office industry.
CoreNet Global offers trial memberships, a complimentary one-month membership to "test drive" the association. For more information on the the CoreNet Global Canadian chapter, visit canada.corenetglobal.org/home
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