PORTLAND, Maine – The year is 1985. Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics compete in the NBA finals, President Ronald Reagan visits the city of Bitburg in West Germany, Tears for Fears tops the Billboard Charts, and the Maine Real Estate and Development Association forms in Portland, Maine at the Cumberland Club. In the years since many things have changed, but MEREDA has never wavered in its mission to promote fair and responsible development in the state of Maine. And they finally get to celebrate their anniversary – after postponing the 35th Anniversary celebration in 2020, MEREDA is thrilled to announce the event has been rescheduled for November 3rd at Ocean Gateway in Portland. The Anniversary Gala will bring together leaders from various industries related to real estate and development to celebrate how MEREDA has contributed to improving Maine’s economy and development opportunities for decades.
“It’s incredible to think how much has changed since 1985, the year MEREDA was founded. From downtown revitalization projects to the industrial boom, this volunteer-driven organization creates and supports the economic conditions vital to the success of communities across Maine,” says MEREDA President and Partner at The Boulos Company, Craig Young. “As my friend Gary Vogel, former MEREDA President, likes to say, ‘Real estate development is community development.’ For 37 years MEREDA and its members have been building and promoting opportunities that help our communities and our state thrive. I’m so grateful to be a part of this organization at this important time in our state’s history.”
When interviewed for MEREDA’s 25th Anniversary, founding MEREDA member Joseph Boulos noted that “no organization lasts 25 years unless it is effective in representing the interests of its members.” With another twelve years added to its timeline, not to mention a pandemic and tumultuous economy, MEREDA continues to prove the validity of Boulos’ remark. MEREDA now has nearly 350 member businesses, which employ thousands of Maine citizens and invest millions of dollars in the Maine economy each year. MEREDA focuses on three key areas – advocacy, education, and networking – with a mission to promote an environment for responsible development and ownership of real estate throughout the state. MEREDA accomplishes its mission through legislative advocacy, regulatory oversight, sponsorship of programs and conferences, and by serving as a unified and proactive representative for real estate and economic development interests. MEREDA has developed into a widely respected and influential voice in Augusta on real estate issues and their objective today is the same as it was when MEREDA was founded over 37 years ago.
According to Shelly R. Clark, MEREDA’s Executive Director, The 37th Anniversary Gala will be held at Ocean Gateway on November 3rd from 5 to 8pm. Tickets are available at MEREDA.org.
