The association’s highest honor, the award stands for quality and professional integrity both across the broader commercial real estate industry and within the local communities where these companies operate.

Presented annually since 1979, the Developer of the Year Award is given annually to one developer that best exemplifies leadership and innovation in the commercial real estate industry. Nominees must be a Principal member company in good standing​.

The Developer of the Year award is determined by a five-member selection committee of industry peers that uses the following criteria to evaluate entries:

1. Company Profile: Company details, leadership, and primary focus.
2. Adaptation: Your company’s approach for successfully navigating challenges (examples: economic headwinds, community pushback, demographic or environmental conditions). Share a specific challenge faced, detailing what your company leadership learned and how the company addressed the issue.
3. Community Relations: Your company’s impact on the markets where you do business, including actions that focus on sound planning, job growth, workforce retention/attraction, issue advocacy, and permitting/approvals, among others. Detail how your company has worked with local policymakers, and the positive outcome to the local community.
4. Company Culture: Your company’s commitment to and incorporation of diversity, equity and inclusion practices; mentorship and career development programs; and internal adaptability to changing work environments.
5. Financial Success: Your company’s strategies for return on investment, economic sustainability and success.
6. Innovation: Your company’s innovation and forward-thinking approach to development and building operations. Detail what sets your portfolio apart from other top CRE developers, as well as your company’s strategies for adapting and innovating to meet the demands for changing workforce, technology and wellness goals, among others.
7. NAIOP Involvement: Your company’s and employee engagement with NAIOP, including participation in and support of programs offered by local chapters and NAIOP Corporate, as well as volunteer leadership contributions.
8. Philanthropy: Your company’s volunteer charitable interests and contributions in the markets where it is active.
9. Premier Developments: Showcase up to three of your company’s most notable development projects, including year developed, type, location and photos. Detail why each project is among your company’s highest achievements, including innovative features, return on investment, and community impact. Completed projects only, preferably within the last 10 years.
10. Sustainability: Your company’s incorporation of sustainability, technology and resiliency into the development, construction and operation of buildings (as applicable). Include certifications/honors received, economic success/return on investment, community impact and cutting-edge solutions.

Award Process

Companies will complete an initial nomination via the online tool, with word count and image upload limitations. After the first award committee review, finalists (typically three or four) will be selected and asked to submit more in-depth information on the same criteria (no limitations). There is no fee to apply for the award.

Questions? Contact Kathryn Hamilton, CAE.

Companies that have won Developer of the Year within the previous 10 years are not eligible, nor are companies with a representative on the current NAIOP Corporate Executive Committee. Members of the Executive Committee may not nominate or endorse candidates.