One of our favorite parts about the BOMA International Conference & Expo is meeting building experts from all corners of the globe. This morning, we snapped KG Investment Management’s Kim Schoenfelder, BOMA Oregon’s Linda Hilgart and Jesse Neufeld, and former BOMA International chair and BOMA fellow Dave Hewett, all from the Beaver State. Linda says BOMA Oregon has been focusing on local issues impacting its members, including building energy performance reporting and increased systems development charges. She and Jesse also have another goal: to meet Jay Leno (who’s headlining today’s general session) and perhaps getting to see his collection of Stanley Steamers.

We also met the Minneapolis contingent of Cushman & Wakefield/NorthMarq’s Pat Seng, Ryan Moore, and Chuck Palm. Between them is a photo of the United Properties-owned Ford Center, which Ryan manages and is vying for a Historical Building TOBY. He tells us the 270k SF building was constructed in 1912 as a Ford vertical assembly plant and showroom, churning out Model Ts. But it has since been rehabbed and turned into BOMA 360-certified, Class-A office space. (Bonus: It’s adjacent to the new Target Field, the ballpark of the Minneapolis Twins.) United Properties also has another building in the running: TRIA Orthopaedic Center in Bloomington, MN (also managed by CWN) is nominated for the Medical Office Building TOBY.