As the first Canadian chair of the Commercial Real Estate Development Association (NAIOP), Alexander Thomson expects his No. 1 job will be emphasizing to the association's 54 chapters and 21,000 members they are actually one community with a common set of interests. 

Thomson, the founder of Prevail Consultants in Edmonton, will serve as the North American chair for the duration of 2025. 

In addition to developing more unity, he said his other priorities as chair will be focusing on downtown revitalization in cities on both sides of the border, as well as developing strategies to attract new top talent to the commercial property industry.

It almost goes without saying that looming changes in the political leadership of both Canada and the United States, and economic and trade dealings between the countries will be major issues for NAIOP. Its goal is to advance responsible commercial real estate development and advocate for effective public policy.

"It's really humbling and exciting to be the first Canadian chair for NAIOP," he said. "We're looking for fresh perspectives. We're looking for different points of view, and we welcome them, and so I think that's an important thing for NAIOP and for our members both."

Unity will create strength

There is only one NAIOP, he said: "There isn't, you know, a distinction between the association and the chapters. That collective strength is the real power of what we do."

Historically in Canada, NAOIP has not been as aggressive as its U.S. chapters at communicating with governments and helping to drive policy. That can change, he said. 

"If we can do this so well in the United States, I know we can do it well in Canada," Thomson said. "I know we've got the right people to do it, I know we've got the companies to do it.”

Downtown revitalization has been a common challenge in U.S. and Canadian cities, he said. Many cities are trying to figure out how to bring more people, businesses, safety and activation into their downtown cores. 

Calgary sets a good example, he said. "Our own Calgary chapter . . . did a very, very good job in speaking up and advocating for a program that would support office conversions," he said. 

Calgary has set the goal of removing, through demolition and development incentive programs, six million square feet of underused or vacant office space from the market and converting that space into homes. 

As of September 2024, the conversion pipeline currently includes 11 office conversion projects with more than 1,400 new residential units targeted. 

"I think that's an ongoing priority," Thomson said, suggesting urban programs like that could be replicated elsewhere.  

"The other thing I would say that's also probably well known is the need to really bring the brightest and best into our industry," Thomson said. More effort and success is required to showcase CRE as an excellent and rewarding profession for young people. 

Thomson said NAIOP is also looking forward to its CRE.Converge conference to be held in Toronto on Sept. 8-10. He said the event will focus on big-picture trends, best practices and the driving vision for where the industry is headed locally, nationally and internationally.

Politics and economy obvious focuses

Looming changes to the Canadian federal government and a probable election this year, coupled with the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency will be an obvious focus. Should trade negotiations reignite with new leadership in Ottawa and Washington, Thomson said NAIOP will aim to help guide those policy decisions for the betterment of its members and communities. 

"We'll need to wait and see what actual policy positions come forward, but our priority will always remain speaking up for our members, and emphasizing the benefit, not just to our members, but to the whole community of commercial real estate."

Many of the challenges the CRE industry faces are the same whether they're in Edmonton, or Ohio — and all other locations with chapters, Thomson said.

"I think overall, one thing I've really seen is that so many of the challenges and the opportunities that we're all facing have parallels. Whether you're in Canada or the U.S., there's an awful lot of things that unite us and I think that's a real opportunity for this year."

Thomson's 20-year career in the industry

As the founder of Prevail Consultants, Thomson provides strategic advisor and fractional executive guidance to companies and owners in the industry. 

Thomson’s 20-plus years in the business have included acquisitions, entitlements, development, financing and dispositions, and he has been involved in more than $2 billion of commercial property deals throughout his career. 

Thomson is also a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a member of the Executive Board of the Centre for Cities and Communities at the University of Alberta. He is a long-standing member of NAIOP’s Edmonton chapter.