💡I just got back from the CoreNet conference in Anaheim. I learned a perception about Chicago directly from Fortune 50 leaders in Corporate Real Estate that was upsetting to hear: 1. For companies based on the West Coast look to expand, the comparison isn’t Chicago vs. New York or Miami. If they’ve decided the Midwest makes strategic sense, the real competition is Chicago vs. Atlanta and other business-friendly midwestern markets. 2. Corporate real estate leaders consistently point to examples like Georgia’s tax structure and pro-business regulatory environments as making it significantly easier to open offices and scale teams there. 3. It’s not that Chicago lacks talent, world-class universities, a global airport, or affordability advantages. That's never been the issue...The issue is the perception that Chicago’s business climate is less predictable and less growth-oriented. And employers are actively looking elsewhere. This was said directly by Fortune 50 decision-makers. And it should bother us. They're looking at Chicago and deciding to go elsewhere. CoreNet hosts its conference in Chicago next year and we have a critical opportunity. Chicago’s civic organizations (@P33Chicago, @WorldBizChicago, @mHUBChicago & others) should be front and center at that conference telling Chicago’s story, convening panels, and actively engaging and attracting the companies that shape corporate location strategies. If our civic leadership isn’t consistently attracting the world’s most innovative companies, then we’re missing the moment. We need a stronger, coordinated effort to reshape how corporate leaders perceive Chicago as a destination for growth. Chicago needs to be better or else these companies will continue to grow elsewhere & I'm seeing it play it out real time. CC: @teecogs @landon20s @CrainsChicago @JennyGooz