A letter from IREM President Renee Savage, CPM®, CCIM

Renee Savage, CPM^®, CCIM

Hello, IREM friends! Before we explore this issue of JPM, I want to make sure you’re registered for the IREM Global Summit Oct. 9–12 in Toronto. Our theme, Making an impact, celebrates the difference you make to those you serve. The program is packed with amazing speakers, education sessions, tours, and more, and I can’t wait to join you in that incredible city. Register now.

Building technology, or Proptech, is the theme of this issue. Technology is a primary force in our lives, but the constant stream of new applications can be hard to keep up with. Despite this challenge, real estate managers are embracing this change, and our properties, teams, and customers benefit from the exciting solutions coming to market.

In the feature “Safe and sound,” we explore new technologies in access control systems. Cloud-based systems offer seamless mobility and security to our teams and customers. You’ll find great tips for selecting and adopting these solutions at your properties.

The energy and water-saving Proptech tools now available can lower utility, maintenance, and equipment expenses, and these solutions will be essential to staying competitive in the years ahead. For some of us, this technology will also be essential to comply with benchmarking requirements and building performance standards (BPS), which continue to spread across the U.S. Carli Schoenleber gives an overview of these regulations.

We’re all looking to technology for opportunities to increase NOI. Parking management is one area where that’s possible. Read about challenges and opportunities with managing parking lots and garages. Our experts offer insights that can help grow the bottom line.

The next generation of real estate managers comes to our teams with clear goals and inspiring passion for the profession. Read about the IREM Student Leaders. This impressive group will no doubt make an impact on our business in the years ahead.

In the Best practices column, Brian Thayer from IREM Industry Partner AvidXchange tackles a management trend that emerged from the pandemic: the move toward decentralized work models. Thayer breaks down important considerations when using technology to unify finance and accounting processes under this new work model.

As the industry evolves, IREM has recognized the need to identify the future leaders of the Institute, and IREM’s Leadership Development Advisory Council, new in 2023, is up to the task. This year’s Leadership Development Advisory Council chair, Angelina Scarcelli, CPM^®, CCIM, introduces us to this group and their goals.

In our DEI column, we look at recent enhancements to the IREM DISI (Diversity & Inclusion Succession Initiative) Program. Each year, ten DISI Leaders are paired with IREM mentors and offered an IREM Foundation scholarship, along with other opportunities, to help them succeed in our profession.

Michelle Olson, CPM^®, RPA, CPD, PMP, CSM, CSPO, takes us through real estate investment and management in Portugal. This forward-thinking Mediterranean country has some attractive residency and citizenship programs that have been a boon to its economy. The real estate market there has thrived, creating opportunities for real estate managers and a need for property management education.

Do you manage an IREM CSP? The IREM Certified Sustainable Property program has certified over 1,400 office, medical office, industrial, multifamily, senior housing, and retail properties. Read about the advantages of getting certified by learning how companies have deployed IREM’s green building certification program.

Technology continues to bring exciting new developments to real estate management, and IREM has the resources you need to track these changes. I encourage you to explore our technology resources for property managers at irem.org/tools/technology.

It’s been such a joy engaging with my fellow IREM members and industry professionals this year, and I look forward to seeing you at the 2023 IREM Global Summit in Toronto!