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Celebrating 25 Years of Real Estate Technology Innovators: Realcomm Digie Awards

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In the beginning…the year was 1999 and the idea of real estate technology was just a seed. Not many people fully understood its potential - that in fact, it would turn into an entire industry. While there were companies like Johnson Controls and Honeywell (on the building automation side) and Yardi and MRI (on the enterprise side), there wasn’t the vast proliferation of PropTech companies we see in the market today. At our very first conference we knew that it was important to recognize those leaders who were willing to take a stand and lean into the idea that technology, automation and innovation could impact all aspects of commercial and corporate real estate. The Realcomm Digie Awards were born.

Award categories were divided into four basic concepts: real estate companies and how they promoted innovation; smart building projects new emerging technology products; and finally, individual people that were staking their careers on transforming the real estate industry through the aggressive adoption of technology.

In 2012, the IBcon Digie Awards was introduced, which were specifically focused on the smart building side of the industry. The intelligent building topics had outgrown the Realcomm sphere, so we created a new co-event: IBcon, which focused 100% on smart buildings, campuses, districts, portfolios - and later, smart cities. That decision, in hindsight, was prescient, as the smart building marketplace has grown exponentially, and includes a number of today’s most important topics such as AI, digital twins, ESG, low voltage, net zero and the hybrid workplace. Although it was hard to find the earliest adopters in the smart building world, our award recipients were some of the people who laid the foundation for today’s booming industry.

The Digital Impact Award focused on the people who were willing to devote their careers to real estate technology and profound industry change. In 2016, we changed it to the Julie Devine Digital Impact Award in honor of Julie Devine, one of the original Realcomm partners who had suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. Julie was an incredibly vibrant, intelligent and thoughtful leader who was an integral part of our early years.

In 2018 - Realcomm's 20th anniversary - a new Digie award was added: the Lifetime Achievement which was presented to 20 of the industry’s most impactful leaders. This award is now given each year to the one person who meets the criteria: 20+ years in the real estate technology industry, demonstrated clear vision, consistently shared their time and experience with the community and made a definite impact on the industry. Finding the true thought leaders for these awards is not an easy task. There are always the “obvious” leaders, but uncovering the hidden gems takes time, insight and experience.

Now, after 25 years in this community, we look back at some of the Digie winners, those that time has proven to be the groundbreaking ideas we believed they were.

1999

Loopnet

Best Use of Automation – Commercial

Purchased by Costar and is now a global leader in property transaction data

2000

55 Broad Street

Best Use of Technology – General

One of the first smart buildings in the US which started the journey to Prescriptive Data

AirPhoto USA

Best Use of Technology – General

The aerial data provider to Keyhole, which became Google Earth

Digital Impact Award

Andy Florence, Founder and CEO, Costar

Dominant global real estate data provider

Dennis Deandre, Founder and CEO, Loopnet

Which was purchased by Costar

2001

Cisco

Internet – Corporate Real Estate

The first digital, hybrid, flex office space in San Jose, CA

Teleportec

Innovative – General Technology

3D, immersive teleporting video conferencing

2002

Keyhole

Most Innovative Technology – General Technology

Immersive, aerial photo-based mapping technology which ultimately became Google Earth

Royal LePage Commercial Real Estate

Best Use of the Internet – Brokerage

Employed one of the first browser based, cloud solutions for managing a brokerage operation

2003

Tridium

Most Innovative Technology – Building Infrastructure

Established as the foundation for open, integrated smart buildings

GSA/PBS – Region 5 Federal Complex

Digital Real Estate – "Extreme" Office Building

Began their journey on smart building and portfolio next generation automation

2004

The Gale Company

Best Use of Automation – Developer

One of the first US developers to embrace innovation; went on to develop New Songo in Korea

Interactive Multimedia Artists – Virtual Concierge

Most Innovative Technology – General Technology

First to develop a real-time, live virtual concierge for the Westin Hotel in San Jose, CA

2005

Boston Properties

Best Use of Automation – Owner/REITs

Recognized as a leader embracing innovation, a characteristic that still holds true today

International Finance Center (IFC) II (Hong Kong)

Digital Real Estate – Office Building

Set the standard for smart, connected, high-performance buildings globally

2006

Dubai

Digital Real Estate – City

Raised the bar and set international standards for a smart city defining a 21st century lifestyle

The Macerich Company

Best Use of Automation – Facilities Management

Embraced an aggressive innovation strategy and set the standards for retail operators

2007

StandardVision

Best Use of Automation – Architecture & Design

Developed the most integrated, innovative and sophisticated digital signage systems globally

Austin Energy

Most Innovative Technology – Energy

The earliest pioneer in aligning mobile and building electrical grids for sustainable energy

2008

Nakheel

Best Use of Automation – Developer

One of the most innovative developers in Dubai with visionary projects like the Palm Islands

Dubai Festival City

Digital Real Estate – Mixed Use Project

One of the first examples in the world of a digital district / smart city

2009

New Songdo City

Most Intelligent Building Projects – City / State: Built by US developer Stan Gale, Songdo was the model for the modern, connected smart city

2010

Childress Klein

Best Use of Automation – Developer

One of the first US developer/owners to adopt innovation as a strategy at the executive level

Redwood Systems

Most Innovative Technology – Energy

Former Cisco execs develop one of the first low-voltage, networked lighting systems

2011

CBRE|ESI

Best Use of Automation – Facilities Management

The combined CBRE / ESI organizations created one of the most advanced global MSIs

GSA/PBS

Digital Real Estate – Office Building

Groundbreaking GSA/PBS project that led to one of the most automated portfolios in the world

Realcomm 2012

Vornado Realty Trust

Best Use of Automation as Owner / Developer

Recognized as an innovation leader, a characteristic that continues today

CBRE

Best Use of Automation in Commercial Services

Collaboration with Google to create Liquid Galaxy experience

IBcon 2012

Microsoft

Best Intelligent Building Projects – Campus

The beginning of Microsoft’s 88 Acres; smart campus journey that is still underway

ESI

Gateway West

Best Intelligent Building Projects – Corporate

One of the country's best and earliest examples of a smart, connected building IP-enabled corporate HQ

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

HQ – Best Intelligent Office Project

Institutional leaders achieve fully integrated IBMS including environmental impact systems

Digital Impact Award

Jim Sinopoli, Principal, Smart Buildings

Smart building integrator and tireless industry educator on smart building infrastructure

Rob Murchison & Tom Shircliff, Co-founders of Intelligent Buildings

Visionary advisory services firm specifically focused on comprehensive smart building strategy

Realcomm 2013

Gensler

Best Use of Automation in Architecture & Design

Early incorporation of next gen design technologies

Jones Lang LaSalle

Best Use of Automation in Facility Management

JLL launch of IntelliCommand powered by Pacific Controls in the US

Digital Impact Award

Joe Rich, EVP / CIO, Tishman Speyer

Viewed as leader and visionary in commercial real estate innovation internationally

IBcon 2013

Project Haystack

Best Intelligent Building Technology Innovation

Presenting new paradigm for data and documentation

Bullitt Center

Most Intelligent Office Building

The first multi-tenant commercial structure in the world to pursue Living Building Challenge Certification, including net-zero energy and water

Digital Impact Award

Darrell Smith, Sr. Director of Real Estate & Facilities, Microsoft

Drove the smart building strategy behind Microsoft’s Redmond Campus “88 Acres” project

Paul Oswald, Managing Director, ESI

One of the industry’s first controls contractors who understood the need to educate and “grow” the next generation of MSIs

Realcomm 2014

GSA/PBS

Lease Automation – Best Use of Automation Commercial Real Estate

For their innovative approach to automating the lease process

ARGUS Enterprise

Best Real Estate Technology Innovation

For creating what has become the most widely adopted property valuation and cash flow forecasting software

Yardi Voyager 7S

Best Real Estate Technology Innovation

The industry changing web-based integrated end-to-end platform for managing operations in large property portfolios

IBcon 2014

Pennzoil Place – Transwestern

Most Intelligent Office Project

Exemplifying the potential of the Internet of Everything, the new phase of the Internet where people, process, data, and things are connecting at an unprecedented scope and scale

Bedrock Detroit Portfolio

Most Intelligent Office Portfolio

Instituted the Bedrock Smart Building Standard, which specifies the requirements for smart technologies, allowing seamless integration into the facility management system

J. Craig Venter Institute Corporate HQ

Most Intelligent Building Projects

California’s first true sustainable laboratory and one of the first true “net-zero energy” biological research laboratories in the world

Intel

Gateway Solutions for the IoT

Best Intelligent Building Technology Innovation

First smart building platform on a chip which paved the way for the modern IoT network architecture

Realcomm 2015

Trimble | Microsoft HoloLens

Best Real Estate Technology Innovation: Created 3D mixed reality platform for visualizing and collaborating on complex projects

Boston Properties

Best Use of Automation in Commercial Real Estate

Continually exploring innovative ways to improve operations, tenant experience and optimized assets through tech and automation

IBcon 2015

Deloitte Corporate HQ – The Edge

Most Intelligent Office Project

The most sustainable office building in the world

Hudson Yards

Most Intelligent Mixed-Use Project

Large-scale development project and a catalyst that drove new space standards and more open environments to foster greater collaboration by partnering with IT early in design

Oxford Properties – Office Portfolio

Most Intelligent Building Projects

Designed a standardized IT infrastructure for all existing and future buildings

Realcomm 2016

CityZenith

Best Tech Innovation in Commercial/Corporate RE

Created a flexible 3D platform that can scale from a single building to an entire city

Irvine Company

Best Use of Automation in Commercial Real Estate: Created an enterprise culture of innovation taking a proactive approach to vetting and implementing new technologies and ideas

IBcon 2016

Barangaroo, Sydney

Best Mixed-Use Project: Precinct-scale development with integrated communications, open protocol BMS, demand ventilation system and the largest LED installation in Australia

Ford Land Energy

Best Project Specialty category

Energy efficiency at scale, and created a global BMS standard with multiple buildings integrated

Julie Devine Digital Impact Award

Scott Cochrane, President, Cochrane Supply

Still tirelessly innovating and educating to elevate the controls industry to the next level

Realcomm 2017

Dexus

Best Use of Automation in Commercial Real Estate

Corporate culture that encourages a “get it done” attitude resulting in rapid, agile deployment of projects in the innovation pipeline

McKesson

Best Use of Automation in Corporate Real Estate

Extensive deployment of technologies to enhance employee productivity, including increased mobility using campus-wide high-speed broadband, space management and collaboration technologies.

Julie Devine Digital Impact Award

Jesse Carrillo, SVP & CIO, Hines

A “force” in the industry, consistently promoting networking, education mentoring and collaboration among his peers

IBcon 2017

Salesforce Tower – Boston Properties

Most Intelligent Office Building

Set the new bar for innovation in high-rise office buildings

United Therapeutics

Most Intelligent Building – Specialty Category

The largest commercial net zero building in the United States; established new best practice for design and construction of building systems integration

Julie Devine Digital Impact Award

Maureen Ehrenberg, President, Global Integrated Facilities Management , JLL

Worked tirelessly with multiple organizations to push for standards and adoption of innovative new technologies and ideas

Realcomm 2018

Honest Buildings

Best Tech Innovation in Commercial/Corporate RE

Comprehensive project management platform ensuring capital and construction projects are delivered on time and budget

QuadReal Property Group

Best Use of Automation in Commercial Real Estate

From the initial consolidation of Bentall Kennedy, GWL and Realstar, QuadReal created an unprecedented culture of innovation which permeates the entire organization

IBcon 2018

Microsoft Azure IoT

Best Tech Innovation Intelligent Building: Fully managed cloud services platform for IoT and smart building devices

Google

Most Intelligent Corporate Campus: Deployment of integrated sensors and interior mapping technologies to drive smart building systems and optimize the use of portfolio assets at a grand scale

Julie Devine Digital Impact Award

Brian Turner, CEO, Buildings OTI

Was one of the first BAS system integrators to understand the importance of adding IT skill sets to the organization

Realcomm 2019

Boxer Property

Best Use of Automation in Commercial Real Estate

Introduced AI and Natural Language Processing into the company in multiple areas including ML pilot with AWS and a data platform leveraging IBM Watson

Washington REIT

Best Use of Automation in Investment Management: Implemented a unique technology and change management strategy to dramatically improve internal communications

IBcon 2019

Bee’ah, Sharjah

Most Intelligent Corporate HQ

The world’s first fully AI-driven building and a futuristic leader in sustainability

151 North Franklin, Chicago

Most Intelligent Office Building

Technically advanced, sustainable and forward-looking; empowered with an intelligent, integrated building platform; smartphone portal interfaces provide on-demand, seamless experience as occupants interact with the building

Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore

Most Intelligent Specialty Building

Futuristic airport designed as a destination all made possible by state-of-the-art automation for everything and extensive list of technological capabilities that spans ease of travel, operations management and customer experience

Realcomm 2020

Carr Properties

Best Use of Automation in Commercial Real Estate

Exemplifies the spirit of innovation and “nothing is impossible”

Kimco Realty

Best Use of Automation in Retail

Continuously pushed the boundaries of innovation in retail technologies including broadband infrastructure, digital signage and enterprise applications

Julie Devine Digital Impact Award

Annette Prater, EVP Technology & Innovation, Brookfield

Visionary and leader driving tech and innovation at Brookfield and the industry at-large

IBcon 2020

SymptomSense

Best Tech Innovation Intelligent Buildings – COVID Tech

Employed multi-factor vital screening health assessment measure to ensure 98% accuracy in determining relative health state

Microsoft Redmond Campus

Most Intelligent Corporate HQ

The future workplace: an intelligent, intuitive, seamless experience that harnesses the power of digital, enabling repeatable & global scalable experiences

Sinclair Autograph Collection, Ft. Worth

Most Intelligent Specialty Project

Transformed 100-year-old building, exploring the capabilities of LED lighting using low voltage PoE DC power and effectively changed industry standards

Julie Devine Digital Impact Award

Emmanuel Daniel, Director Digital Transformation & Smart Buildings, Microsoft

Was instrumental in the radical design and transformation of the East Campus development project

Realcomm 2021

LinkedIn

Best Use of Automation in Corporate Real Estate: Continually applying learning and iterating to data-driven insights to improve employee engagement and workplace experience

Inland Real Estate Group

Best Use of Automation in Retail: Fosters an innovation culture that promote agility and creativity to address everyday business process challenges

Julie Devine Digital Impact Award

Ilan Zachar, CTO, Carr Properties

Tirelessly passionate to continually re-engineer existing systems and processes to better manage and operate commercial real estate assets

IBcon 2021

Convene

Best Tech Innovation Hybrid Immersive Experience

The first co-working provider to implement a hybrid AV meeting facility for an immersive experience for both onsite and remote attendees

Vinhomes Techno Park, Vietnam

Most Intelligent Digital District

Transformed over 420 acres into a thriving community that represents the new Live – Work – Play – Shop – Learn ecosystem

River South, QuadReal & Stream Realty

Most Intelligent Office Building

Smartest building in Texas, completely touchless and mobile-first experience from parking to office arrival; completely integrated building management platform and robust end-to-end building-wide connectivity

Realcomm 2022

BXP (formerly Boston Properties)

Best Use of Automation in Commercial Real Estate

Faced challenges of the pandemic head-on developing unique IAQ and tenant experience strategies

Wells Fargo

Best Use of Automation in Corporate Real Estate: Created a comprehensive, integrated enterprise architecture for data-driven insights and analytics

IBcon 2022

View

Best Tech Innovation Intelligent Buildings

Created an intelligent window architecture which has evolved into a broader smart building strategy

Lake Nona

Most Intelligent Digital District

One of the most advanced communities in the US; its “living lab” entrepreneurial environment allows startups to major corporations to test and deploy transformative technology at scale in a real-world setting

800 Fulton

Most Intelligent Office Building

Innovation in technology-first design and construction starting with master system integration to create connected intelligence

For a complete list of past winners, visit: https://www.realcomm.com/realcomm-2023/digies/winners/

Join us at Realcomm | IBcon 2023 for the Digie Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas on June 14 at 6pm at the Realcomm Live stage on the Expo Floor. Register today!

Jim Young, Co-Founder & CEO, Realcomm Founder of Realcomm Conference Group, an education organization that produces Realcomm, IBcon and CoRE Tech, the world's leading conferences on technology, automated business solutions, intelligent buildings and energy efficiency for the commercial and corporate real estate industry. As CEO, Jim interacts with the largest companies globally pertaining to some of the most advanced and progressive next generation real estate projects under development.

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