Ivanka Trump

We are all looking forward to the GNMAA Quarterly Membership Luncheon on March 20^th at the Drake when Ivanka Trump will be our quest speaker.

The Trump brand is one of the most recognized in the world and Ms. Trump, who is currently working on 33 projects, is a key leader in the organization. With successful interests in such diverse environments as Las Vegas, Honolulu, Atlanta, Baja (Mexico), Toronto, Dubai, and many others, it is clear that The Trump Organization has top research capabilities and an expertise in identifying high-potential locations for investment. I am looking forward to hearing Ms. Trump discuss what variables led her company to choose Chicago for a significant project. Despite others who are jumpy about the soft residential real estate market and fear that the Chicago hotel inventory is becoming overbuilt, her company must be very optimistic. While we appreciate the region’s resilience and are excited about the future, what are the specific characteristics of The Magnificent Mile that independent analysts found that point toward a long term robust return on investments as large as the Trump International Hotel & Tower? Get ready for a provocative presentation!

Earth Hour

The picture below is Sydney, Australia before and during Earth Hour during in March, 2007

Chicago will participate in Earth Hour, one hour when residents and businesses will be asked to turn out their lights in symbolic recognition of the role energy consumption plays in global climate change. Other American cities participating are Atlanta, Phoenix, and San Francisco.

So make plans now for where you will be 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2008.

It will be a spectacular sight from the Signature Room at the 95^th, Restaurant 676 in the Omni Hotel, and other venues with prominent overlooks. I understand that people are already planning to be on the lawn at the Adler Planetarium to witness the South Michigan Avenue street wall go dark.

Street lighting, traffic signaling, and other safety-related illumination will not be affected. But GNMAA will coordinate the “powering down” of exterior building lighting and interior office and residential lighting in the area of The Magnificent Mile.

As one of the utilities across the country strongly promoting steps to mitigate global warming, ComEd is a sponsor of the event and is working closely with the City and organizations like GNMAA to ensure good communications.

Mayor Daley is not only promoting Earth Hour Chicago, but I understand helped convince mayors in other cities to support drawing awareness to global climate change by embracing the program.

For more information about Earth Hour, please visit the official website at http://www.earthhour.org/

For more information on the city of Chicago's participation, please visit http://www.earthmonthchicago.com/