A letter from IREM President Mindy Gronbeck, CPM®, CCIM

This spring in Austin, Texas, more than 600 property managers, leaders, and future professionals came together for PropertyCon 2026. The energy all this talent brought to the experience was undeniable. Not just excitement for a great event, but a shared sense that our profession is evolving, and that IREM members are leading that evolution.

PropertyCon delivered exactly what this moment demands, from practical education and meaningful connection to real-world insight. Over three days, we explored the challenges shaping our profession. Most importantly, we left with ideas we could take back to our teams immediately to improve operations, add value, and make a measurable difference in building performance and customer satisfaction.

To maintain the highest levels of property performance, strategies to minimize energy use and respect the environment have become crucial parts of creating a business strategy. The work we do to reduce carbon emissions, limit water use, and operate more responsibly is directly tied to financial performance. Implementing sustainability measures in the built environment supports our communities, improves net operating income, reduces costs, and positions properties for long-term success. The bottom line is that, more and more, building owners, investors, tenants, and residents seek out properties that are kind to our planet. As “Turning sustainability into NOI” explores, this is where IREM members excel, by turning smart practices into tangible results.

At the same time, our profession is becoming more connected than ever. IREM cultivates global relationships by bringing together professionals across markets and career stages to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and learn from one another. That spirit of connection is driving the momentum of IREM Japan by bringing professionals together and extending the reach of IREM’s education and resources to support growth across the region.

Creating access to that community is just as important as expanding it. That’s why I’m especially proud of initiatives like the For Houston, From Houston scholarship program, developed in partnership with the IREM^® Foundation. “For Houston, From Houston” outlines how programs like this remove barriers and open doors, helping local professionals earn IREM certifications and advance their careers. When we invest in people at the community level, we all benefit.

And as our industry evolves, so do the properties we manage.

In “The self-storage solution,” you’ll explore one of the sector’s rising standouts: self-storage facilities. Once considered a niche asset, self-storage has become a resilient and increasingly sophisticated part of the real estate landscape. With more than 50,000 self-storage facilities operating across the U.S., the sector reflects a broader truth about our profession as we are constantly adapting, identifying opportunity, and finding new ways to create value.

That’s what brings these moments together across markets and communities worldwide.

Our time is now.

Now to lead with purpose.
Now to connect across borders and perspectives.
Now to turn everyday decisions into lasting impact.

Because when property managers are equipped, empowered, and connected, we advance the dynamic world of real estate management and shape thriving communities.