A packed auditorium at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was host to a fruitful exchange between business students and a panel of IAMC members.

After the final gavel came down at the Fall 2005 Professional Forum, The College of Business (COB) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and IAMC hosted a packed student learning session, "Site Selection and the Corporate Bottom Line — Where Will the Jobs Be?" on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. in the university's Performing Arts Center. Organized by Prof. Janet W. Tillinger, chair of the college's accounting and business law department, the panel discussion provided an opportunity for graduate and undergraduate students to interact with IAMC's complete range of corporate real estate, economic development and service professional members.

Presenters included Charles P. McSwain, CSX, and IAMC Chair; Rick Little, director of real estate for Weyerhaeuser; Sean T. Nugent, executive director, global strategic facilities planning, for Pfizer Global R&D and chair of IAMC's program delivery committee; Peter H. Garra, director of real estate for The BOC Group; David D. Miracle, director of Cedar Hill Economic Development Corp.; Roland C. Mower, president and

Dr. Sean Nugent (center), Pfizer Global R&D, says the panel discussion was one way IAMC is "paying it forward."

Before the session, College of Business Dean Moustafa Abdelsamad said, "The panelists are a veritable ‘Who's Who' of corporate real estate. We trust their exposure to Corpus Christi and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will leave an indelibly positive impression on them, fostering ongoing relationships between the region and their respective companies."

But the indelible impression was as personal as it was institutional.

"Having the opportunity to be with that many young eager minds in one place that are willing to listen is electric," says Pete Garra. "Members obviously know that IAMC's Forums are an outstanding way for professionals to share ideas and learn from each other.

Pete Garra, The BOC Group, says being among so many eager young minds was as rewarding for IAMC and the participating members as it was educational for the students.

"What a great opportunity to spend time with future business leaders," says Little. "I was impressed with the level of interest conveyed by the students and some of the more thought-provoking issues raised."

Those questions and issues ranged from the majors and minors in the IAMC members' own educational pedigree to the economic development promise of the Corpus Christi region. Students were given a candid look at how companies evaluate site selection decisions — and some expressed surprise that the process is more holistic, thorough and rational than frequently portrayed in the mainstream press.

"It was a fabulous way to cap off a truly excellent IAMC Forum" says Nugent. "I am very thankful to Professor Tillinger for reaching out to us. For me this event drove home the point that IAMC is not only about providing a setting for real estate professionals to connect and learn from each other but that IAMC and its membership is about a collection of professionals who are passionate about their work, their families and their communities. In reading some of the wonderful student responses, I see this as one way that the IAMC community is 'paying it forward' — I am excited to see us grow this activity as we continue to expand IAMC."