THE Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) represents the who’s who of city real estate executives. If you own something in New York City or want to do business with the owners, chances are you belong. Its members provide valuable insights as well as deep pockets to policy makers.
REBNY members consist of all the major building owners and those who service them, including residential and commercial brokers and managers, financial service companies, title companies, lawyers, accountants, architects, bankers, utilities and even media like the New York Post.
REBNY’s goals are to unite those in real estate and the welfare of the city and state, facilitate negotiations, maintain the highest ethical standards, promote just laws and public improvements, and create a healthy economy generating jobs and taxes.
While REBNY’s membership is 11,860 strong, only about 3,000 of them will fit into tonight’s annual event at the Hilton Hotel & Towers’ Ballroom which costs $950 for each of the coveted tickets. It is not unusual to see tuxedo-clad men along with women in floor-length gowns swarming the lobby areas and adjacent parties hoping to score an entry card for the main event, informally known as The Liar’s Ball.
The earlier VIP cocktail party has attendees that include REBNY’s board of governors as well as, typically, the governor of the state of New York, the city’s mayor and deputies, various commissioners, some council members as well as other appointed and elected officials like Sens. Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer.
Tonight’s dinner also honors a select few of the membership (see below.) It’s also for spending time meeting and greeting. The oldest family developers hold down the tables in the front and everyone keeps their same tables each year.
Most guests spend more time mingling and rarely pay attention to what goes on at the dais. Previous chairmen have resorted to banging on cymbals to obtain order, but to no avail. Years ago, one newly elected governor walked out in a huff when the audience didn’t pay attention to his long-winded speech. The economy has been sobering, but things won’t be any different tonight.
– Lois Weiss
