The Commercial Real Estate Women of the Lehigh Valley (CREW LV) is the local chapter of a national network of professionals involved in all aspects of commercial real estate more than 8,000 members strong in 74 chapters across the United States and Canada. Founded in 2004 with the core purpose of advancing the success of women in commercial real estate, the Lehigh Valley chapter is an equal-opportunity organization, welcoming men as well as women as members.

CREW Lehigh Valley has a deserved reputation for presenting impactful programming, as evidenced by two June events. While the Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ) has garnered much interest, other less-heralded initiatives throughout the Lehigh Valley are also generating positive results for their communities; CREW invites members and non-members alike to attend these fascinating sessions. Register at the event section of www.crewlehighvalley.org.

• Beyond 19^th Street: The Promising Future of Allentown’s West End Theatre District, June 4 – 11:30 a.m.  – 1 p.m. at 514 Theatre, 514 19^th St., Allentown

Learn about initiatives underway throughout the West End Theatre District, spurred by the West End Alliance, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization of neighbors, merchants and other stakeholders dedicated to the continued emergence this walkable urban neighborhood. A 100 percent volunteer group, the West End Alliance advocates smart growth throughout the neighborhood, promoting the West End as an entertainment destination, ideal business venue and prime residential area. A box lunch will be served during the presentation; an optional neighborhood walking tour will follow. Program organizers are Jane Schiff (an associate broker with The Frederick Group and a Past President of CREW LV) and Tracy Oscavich (Director, Lehigh Valley Land Recycling Initiative.

– From Main Street Gallery to Village Center Office Suites: An Emmaus Public/Private Redevelopment Story, June 20 – 4 – 6 p.m.  The program starts at the project site 187-191 Main Street, Emmaus; a networking reception will be held at Design Elements, 304 Main St., Emmaus 

Get the behind-the-scenes story of a public/private partnership that is breathing a new life into a long-shuttered building, the former Main Street Furniture Gallery, portions of which date to the late 19^th Century. The story begins with the mission of Emmaus Main Street Partners to obtain $500,000 in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funding. Incorporated in 1995 as a non-profit program to support and revitalize the Emmaus historic downtown and an affiliate of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce since December 2012, the Emmaus Main Street Partners sought a development partner to realize the dream.  Meet the development partner, principals from Village Center Properties of Souderton, a firm specializing in preserving and redeveloping older, historic buildings as office space. Learn about the redevelopment plans, tour the building, then stroll down the street to Design Elements for a networking reception. Program organizers are Kate Hart Zayaitz (Vice-President Commercial Banking, KNBT and CREW LV past president), Francee Fuller (Barry Isett & Associates and former CREW LV president) and Cindy Massa (President, Design Elements, Ltd.)

Beyond a commitment to providing quality programming, the organizational culture of CREW Lehigh Valley

• Strives to provide professional role models and mentors to young professionals
• Has a passionate commitment to mutual assistance; developing multi-disciplinary, responsive, loyal and supportive relationships
• Has the vision of becoming the premier commercial real estate network in northeast Pennsylvania recognized for professionalism, leadership and expertise

For more information visit www.crewlehighvalley.org