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

Renee Savage, CPM^®, CCIM

Greetings! Before diving into this issue of JPM, I would like to thank everyone who came to the IREM Global Summit in Toronto. Your presence and engagement made the event a resounding success, and it was truly inspiring to witness the collective wisdom, dedication, and enthusiasm within our organization. I had a wonderful time with you all as we celebrated our impact as real estate managers and explored where real estate management is headed. For those of you who couldn’t join us in Toronto, read a full recap of the event. I hope to see the same friendly faces (and new ones) next year in Indianapolis!

This issue of JPM looks at the year ahead. As professional real estate managers, our commitment to staying in front of the curve is critical to our success. Exploring what’s ahead while also looking back on the people and practices that made us successful in years past can help us keep that commitment and maintain our knowledge of real estate management best practices in an environment defined by rapid change.

That change will continue into the new year, as we explore in the feature 2024 Outlook. Our experts walk us through how to find balance with the market, political, and technology shifts on the horizon; how to adapt to a changing risk environment; and steps we can take to keep our properties competitive in an evolving real estate market.

In another feature, the 2024 IREM Officers share their thoughts on the year ahead. 2024 President Libby Ekre, CPM^®; President-Elect Dawn Carpenter, CPM^®; and Secretary/Treasurer Mindy Gronbeck, CPM^®, CCIM, CSM, CRX, review the steps they’ll take to meet the goals in IREM’s strategic plan. They also discuss what led them to their leadership roles and offer advice for young professionals.

This issue’s Property Spotlight focuses on flex properties—office and industrial—and what real estate managers can expect when managing this property type. Flex is gaining popularity because the properties provide flexibility and resilience for managers and tenants in these uncertain times. Robert Smith, CPM^®, RPA, offers helpful tips for real estate managers dealing with this asset class.

This issue’s Global Practices explores Spain, whose economy and real estate market are outpacing other EU countries in several indicators. IREM attended the first-ever National Association of REALTORS^® Western Europe Summit in Granada to foster connections there. We’re excited to see how the country’s increasingly collaborative real estate environment has paved the way for new foreign investment and led to greater demand for real estate management best practices.

IREM is proud to announce the winners of our 30 Under 30 awards. IREM’s 30 Under 30 showcases the exceptional talent and hard work of 30 of our young members. We’re so thrilled to highlight their passion and commitment to the industry.

Another inspiring group of IREM members is the IREM Western Washington Chapter. These members have been giving back to the IREM Foundation and their community for years. Their fundraising efforts for notable causes demonstrate the thoughtfulness and shared vision we love to support.

In the Government Affairs column, our team recaps important federal and state real estate laws on the docket and IREM’s response to this legislation. With an upcoming election year, we must remain informed about these issues before stepping into the voting boxes.

It’s been such a joy engaging with my fellow IREM members and industry professionals this past year. I wish you and your loved ones nothing but the best as the year ends, and I can’t wait to keep working, learning, and growing with you all in 2024!