GlobeSt.com UPDATE: Elie Stresses Education as CoreNet Chairman

NEW YORK CITY-Education will take a number of different forms for the members of CoreNet Global this year. In a recent interview with GlobeSt.com, Jeffrey Elie, elected chairman last month at the association’s Global Summit in Toronto , laid out his three-pronged approach to reinforcing the educational opportunities for the 7,500-person membership base.

It’s interesting to note that, while Elie sees the importance of raising the membership numbers–a focus for virtually all trade groups–he states that larger numbers are an outgrowth of the programs an organization offers. “We can grow the membership,” he says. “But I’m more interested in expanding the educational content. We do that and the members will come.”

One important part of the educational push is to roll out on a local basis the CoreNet Communities of Learning that debuted in Toronto. “We’re fostering gatherings of different sectors of the industry to focus on issues that are important to them,” the chairman explains. “Healthcare, financial, industrial–each has its own niche, and these communities provide the opportunity to meet in small, intimate groups to discuss what’s important to them. We’ll publish papers based on the results of those gatherings to share with the membership.” The program is already getting local-chapter exposure, and the new chairman cites New York City chapter president Suzanne Heidelberger of Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, who has already established a lawyer community here.