President's Blog

Carolina

January Edition

Carolina on My Mind
By Harold Hicks, CFM, MCR

President, CoreNet Global Carolinas Chapter

January 2026 Edition

Community, Connection, and Leadership: Why CoreNet Carolinas Matters More Than Ever

As we begin a new year, January gives us a moment to pause---not just to look ahead, but to reflect on what truly sustains us as professionals and as a community. In corporate real estate, the pace of change remains relentless. Markets shift, strategies evolve, and expectations continue to rise. Yet one thing remains constant: the power of connection.

That is why CoreNet Global---and specifically our Carolina’s Chapter matters now more than ever.

A Community Built on Trust and Shared Experience

CoreNet is not just a professional association; it is a community of peers who understand the complexity of what we do and the responsibility we carry. Whether you are a corporate end user navigating portfolio strategy, a service provider delivering solutions in an increasingly competitive environment, or a sponsor investing in relationships that go beyond transactions, this chapter exists to support you.

The real value of CoreNet is found in the conversations that don’t happen in boardrooms.  It’s the candid exchanges, the lessons learned, and the shared experiences that help us all make better decisions. In a world full of noise, CoreNet offers clarity through trusted relationships.

For Our Corporate End Users

Your role has never been more strategic. You are asked to balance cost, culture, flexibility, sustainability, and talent all while preparing for what’s next. The Carolina’s Chapter is committed to being a place where you can learn from one another, challenge assumptions, and gain insight from professionals who truly understand the pressures you face.

This year, our goal is to continue creating content, programs, and discussions that are practical, relevant, and forward-looking—designed to help you lead with confidence.

For Our Service Providers

You are essential partners in this ecosystem. Your expertise, innovation, and perspective elevate the entire community. CoreNet provides more than access.  It provides meaningful engagement, where relationships are built on trust, credibility, and shared success.

As a chapter, we value service providers who show up, contribute, and invest in the community. Your voice matters, and your involvement strengthens the experience for everyone.

For Our Sponsors

Your support enables everything we do...from educational programming to networking opportunities and leadership development! More importantly, your partnership demonstrates a commitment to the long-term health of our industry and our region.

We don’t take that support lightly. In 2026, we remain focused on delivering value, visibility, and connection that justify your investment and reinforce why CoreNet Carolinas is a smart, strategic partnership.

Leadership Is a Shared Responsibility

Leadership within CoreNet doesn’t reside solely with the board or committee chairs.  It lives with every member who engages, volunteers, mentors, and participates. This chapter thrives because of people who are willing to give their time, share their knowledge, and support one another.

As President, I am continually inspired by the professionalism, generosity, and leadership I see across our membership. Together, we have the opportunity to shape not only the future of our chapter, but the future of corporate real estate in the Carolinas.

Looking Ahead—Together

As we step into the new year, my hope is simple: that you find value, connection, and opportunity within this community. Engage early. Attend an event. Join a committee. Reach out to someone you haven’t met yet.  Invite colleagues not yet connected!

CoreNet works best when we work together.

Thank you for being part of the Carolina’s Chapter of CoreNet Global. I look forward to all we will accomplish in the year ahead.

With Gratitude and Purpose,

Harold Hicks
President, CoreNet Carolina’s Chapter
CoreNet Global

 

December Edition

Carolina on My Mind
By Harold Hicks, CFM, MCR

President, CoreNet Global Carolinas Chapter

 

Designing for Community: CRE’s Role in Building the Next Generation of Carolina Workplaces

As we look ahead to a new year, one theme continues to rise above the rest for corporate real estate professionals across North and South Carolina: COMMUNITY. Whether we’re shaping campuses in Research Triangle Park, reimagining towers in Charlotte, or enabling growth in Greenville and Charleston, our work is increasingly defined by a simple but powerful mandate:  Design places where people genuinely want to be.

Across the Carolinas, companies are rethinking the workplace not just as an operational necessity, but as a strategic tool for connection, culture, and wellbeing. And corporate real estate sits at the center of this evolution.

The Hospitality Mindset Comes Home to the Office

One of the most striking trends across our region is the infusion of hospitality principles into workplace strategy. Leaders are realizing that if we expect employees to commute in, collaborate, and innovate, then workplaces must be designed with intention, warmth, and service at their core.

Buildings are beginning to feel more like boutique hotels or well-run campuses—welcoming entry sequences, amenity-rich common areas, curated food and beverage experiences, and concierge-style services that make the workday smoother. This is not about luxury; it's about human experience. It’s about signaling that people matter.

In the Carolinas, where hospitality is part of our cultural DNA this shift feels natural. We know how to create environments that feel inviting, and our CRE community is leading the way.

Sustainability as a Shared Commitment

Alongside hospitality, the Carolinas are demonstrating that sustainability is not a coastal or urban trend, it is a regional imperative. Corporate campuses across NC and SC are integrating solar, exploring electrification, upgrading building systems, and designing for long-term resilience. Many organizations are still viewing decarbonization as not just the right thing to do, but a competitive advantage for talent and brand.

What’s remarkable is how sustainability efforts are becoming community-building tools themselves. Whether it’s a solar installation that sparks employee pride or green spaces that bring people together, environmental stewardship continues to emerge as a foundation for workplace identity.

Rebuilding Community Through Place

The most profound shift we’re seeing is the recognition that the workplace must function as a community anchor. After years of distributed work, companies are no longer asking “How do we get people back?” but “How do we create environments worth coming back to?”

The Carolinas are pioneering answers. We’re seeing:

  • Community-focused floorplans that prioritize gathering spaces over isolated desks
  • Neighborhood-based planning that brings teams together intentionally
  • Multipurpose hubs that support learning, collaboration, and celebration
  • Outdoor environments that take advantage of our climate and natural beauty
  • Partnerships with local food, art, and service providers that strengthen regional identity

Workplaces are becoming cultural centers, innovation hubs, and talent magnets that embody the spirit of the Carolinas themselves.

The CRE Community’s Call to Action

As CRE professionals, we are no longer just delivering projects, we are shaping the future of how organizations connect, collaborate, and grow. The next generation of Carolina workplaces will be those that combine:

  • The warmth and intentionality of hospitality
  • The long-term stewardship of sustainability
  • The human-centered vibrancy of community

THIS IS OUR MOMENT TO LEAD!

In a region defined by innovation, inclusivity, and genuine southern welcome, we have everything we need to build workplaces that not only perform but inspire!

Let’s continue to deliver places and spaces that bring people together, strengthen our organizations, and celebrate what makes the Carolinas extraordinary.

COMMUNITY starts with us!

With Gratitude and Purpose,

Harold Hicks
President, CoreNet Carolina’s Chapter
CoreNet Global

 

November Edition

Carolina On My Mind: Reflections from the CoreNet North American CRE Summit

By Harold R. Hicks, Chapter President, CoreNet Global Carolinas

 

There’s something energizing about being surrounded by the brightest minds in Corporate Real Estate — people who share a passion for shaping how and where we work, connect, and thrive. This past week, that energy was in full force at the North American CRE Summit in Anaheim, California, where leaders from across the continent came together to celebrate our industry’s progress and chart the path ahead.

 

What stood out most was the recognition of North Carolina…and particularly the Research Triangle Park (RTP) region…as one of the top areas in the nation for talent. Hearing our home region called out as a national example of innovation, workforce strength, and economic vitality was both affirming and inspiring. It reminded us that what’s happening here in the Carolinas is not only special but also shaping the future of work and the built environment on a global scale.

 

At the Summit, conversations stretched from the practical to the visionary. One of the dominant themes was the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it’s reshaping the ways we plan, manage, and experience space. From predictive analytics in real estate decision-making to the personalization of workplace experiences, AI is rapidly becoming a key enabler of efficiency and insight.

 

Yet, amid all the talk of technology, one truth resonated loudly: our profession has never been more vital. As CRE professionals, we are the stewards of environments that support people — places that enable creativity, connection, and community. The tools may evolve, but our purpose remains grounded in understanding human needs and translating them into spaces that help organizations and individuals thrive.

 

As I return to North Carolina with renewed energy, I’m filled with pride for how our chapter continues to lead with curiosity, collaboration, and care. Whether through programs, networking, or education, CoreNet Carolinas is building a community that mirrors the best of what we saw in Anaheim: thoughtful, forward-looking, and deeply committed to shaping a better future through the built environment.

 

Here’s to our shared momentum AND to keeping the spirit of innovation alive right here in the Carolinas!

With Gratitude and Purpose,

Harold Hicks
President, CoreNet Carolina’s Chapter
CoreNet Global