A letter from IREM President Libby Ekre, CPM®

Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of representing IREM on visits to Japan, Dubai, and South Africa. Property managers across the globe are looking to set themselves apart by taking advantage of the education and networking opportunities provided by IREM. More than 40 international chapter members joined over 700 U.S. members in Indianapolis in October for IREM’s 2024 Global Summit. This “last lap” allowed us to share our knowledge at more than 20 education sessions and celebrate our achievements. Read an overview of the Summit here, and read about this year’s REME Award winners here.

The interviews with the 2025 IREM Officers show that our international focus will continue in the new year. Incoming 2025 IREM President Dawn Carpenter, CPM^®, says, “For me, the longer the reach, the better the institute.” IREM President-Elect Mindy Gronbeck, CPM^®, CCIM, CSM, CRX, adds, “We need to understand that the way IREM operates in other countries may look different than the way it operates in the United States.”

International opportunities, technology, next-gen talent, and affordable housing are just a few thoughts on the minds of industry and IREM leaders; read their thoughts on what’s ahead for 2025. 

Continuing on the theme of affordable housing, we take a closer look at the Davis Housing Initiative, launched by Freeman Webb Company, AMO^®, in Nashville, Tennessee. The initiative has made notable strides in providing safe and supportive housing options to hundreds of individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability. 

One technology that property managers have embraced relates to their financial operations; industry partner AvidXchange examines the evolution of payment trends to leverage technologies that make transactions faster and more secure.

A digital economy requires a robust digital infrastructure, which includes data centers. We examine how the intersection of real estate and technology creates a dynamic landscape where property managers can leverage their expertise to capitalize on this growing sector.

One of the more popular sessions at the Global Summit focused on adaptive reuse of existing properties. We look at an example of adaptive reuse in Dubai: converting a hotel to luxury residential apartments. Abdelaziz Amarouayache, CPM^®, who oversaw the BurJuman Residences conversion project, discusses the many challenges and successes of the project, which transformed the building from a transient hotel environment into a permanent, high-quality residential space.

IREM chapters around the country have hosted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-themed events to create meaningful in-person conversations, deepen networking connections, and energize membership. We look at how chapters in Houston, Austin, San Francisco, New York, Maryland, and Connecticut celebrate diversity and put IREM’s values into action.

We catch up with seven members of the 2023–2024 NextGen CPM Leaders cohort as they share their personal experiences, talk about the future of property management, and speak to the legacy they’d like to leave on the industry.

As I take my final lap as President, I ask that you be “ALL IN” to volunteer either at your local chapter or nationally. Your passion for your purpose will enrich those around you and be returned tenfold. IREM will remain strong because of YOU!  

Much appreciation and love for all my IREM friends.