An increasing amount of the information we get and use is going mobile, with apps for the iPad, iPhone and smartphones, other panelists at the SVN event pointed out. This trend will grow stronger and eventually outpace desktop computing.

“Social media is something that many people in our industry are largely overlooking because they do not see how to make use of it for their business,” said David Mashian, VP of business development for SVN, in a prepared statement. “We wanted to give a new perspective on the relevance and the proper mindset necessary for its application to make it of value to the commercial real estate practitioner.”

Mashian added that it was clearly evident from the statements and behavior of the forum’s attendees that the commercial real estate market is improving with much more optimism and vigor in brokers’ desire to make deals happen.

As GlobeSt.com previously reported, in May Sperry Van Ness International Corp. named Diane Danielson as its first chief platform officer. Danielson, a former attorney, accomplished speaker, published author and widely recognized social-media expert, serves the company in leadership, business development and growth capacities. At that time, Kevin Maggiacomo, the firm’s CEO and president, told GlobeSt.com that over the past year, the company has brought on more than 16 franchises in key markets, “our best growth year since 2006—and we will continue to attract new offices as our platform is strengthened through leadership as well as technology.”

The broker forum, a free event that attracted more than 240 attendees, was moderated by Burton Young, president of Sperry Van Ness/SVN Management. The panelists featured at the event include Steve Wayne, president of Prospect Now; John Dawson, VP of ClientLook; and Brendan Erickson, VP of REI Wise.