PropertyCon 2025
The first-of-its-kind IREM event delivers powerhouse insights and inspiration
In a groundbreaking inaugural event, PropertyCon 2025 drew a packed house of more than 500 attendees in Boston in April, setting a new standard for property management conferences. Featuring a robust agenda of 45 education sessions, the two-day extravaganza explored cutting-edge topics from AI integration to sustainable practices, leaving participants energized and informed.
AI and adaptive reuse
Among the event’s highlights, Anne Hollander of The Strategic Edge captivated audiences with her visionary take on AI’s role in property management. Emphasizing the need for strategic alignment, Hollander declared, “AI is your intern, and you are the boss.” Her insights underscored the critical balance between technology and human oversight in maximizing operational efficiency.
The IREM Foundation hosted a prestigious luncheon, honoring sustainability champions and fostering crucial dialogue on industry best practices.
Adaptive reuse properties are an innovative, cost-effective solution that minimizes demolition waste, preserves historical and cultural assets, and promotes sustainability. In one session, panelists shared examples and stories as a practical model for engaging local stakeholders early, aligning projects with community needs, and leveraging financial incentives and policy support to overcome construction and development hurdles.
Communication and feedback
Dr. Debbie Phillips, CPM®, lit up the room talking about the important relationship between mentors and mentees.
Dr. Debbie Phillips, CPM®, lit up the room with her generous spirit and words of wisdom. She taught us that serving as a mentor requires clear expectations, consistent communication, and care. Dr. Debbie emphasized the transformational relationship between the mentor and mentee. Mentors need to be able to listen deeply and challenge their mentees. In turn, the mentee must be willing to experience discomfort and be challenged.
Seth Schiffli, a student at Ball State University’s property management program who attended PropertyCon, says that Dr. Debbie’s talk “gave me insights into mentoring relationships, and she was kind enough to give the names of a few individuals I could contact. Just being in the room with industry professionals and getting the chance to talk and explore the crowd was a boon I could never get on campus.”
Effective property managers understand they need to bring out the best in their teams and provide constructive feedback that supports learning and growth. Eric Skeeter, CPM®, provided real-world examples and engaged the audience in problem-solving scenarios as an exercise in what works and what does not work when managing successful property management teams.
Future of the Industry panel
The second day started with the Future of the Industry breakfast, where three panels discussed different topics with IREM President Dawn Carpenter, CPM®. The first panel, on the future of networking, explored how employees from different generations can learn from one another about networking and how AI is shaping the way property managers connect.
The second panel focused on Proptech and how it’s transforming property management, from centralization and specialization in the office to changing the dynamics of tenant relations. The last panel featured Carpenter talking with Hollywood producer Neil Mandt about the relationship between augmented reality and how property managers can protect and benefit from their buildings’ digital rights. Mike McConnell, CPM®, an IREM instructor who was a panelist on risk management and property insurance, says: “Mandt’s presentation was particularly helpful and opened my eyes to both concerns and potential revenue arising from digital media rights.”
Keynote highlights
Dr. Drew Pinsky was the leadoff keynote speaker at PropertyCon.
Keynote speaker Dr. Drew Pinsky struck a chord with his candid discussion on resilience in property management, acknowledging the profession’s unique stressors and advocating for adaptive skill-building. “Resiliency is a process,” Pinsky affirmed, “forged through mentorship, improvisation, and steadfast attention.”
Closing the event on an inspiring note, Adrianne Haslet’s stirring account of courage and perseverance resonated deeply. A professional ballroom dancer and a survivor of the Boston Marathon bombing, Haslet challenged attendees with her mantra: “When someone tells you it can’t be done, be the one in a million who proves them wrong.”
As PropertyCon 2025 came to a close, anticipation soared for the next chapter in Austin, Texas, promising another dynamic gathering April 8-9, 2026.
Properties are recognized in three categories: Sustainability Leadership, Resource Efficiency, and Top Performers.
- The Sustainability Team Award went to Garden Village, a retail shopping center in San Pedro, California. The center is owned by InvenTrust Properties and managed by InvenTrust Property Management LLC.
- The Visionary Impact Award was awarded to two properties: Avanti Brookhaven, an apartment building located in Brookhaven, Georgia, (owned by MEPT BGO Diversified and managed by Carroll Management Group) and Fort Point Creative Portfolio A, an office building in Boston, Massachusetts (owned by MEPT BGO Diversified and managed by Synergy Investments).
- The Sustainability Innovation Award went to Foundry Square II, a state-of-the-art office building in San Francisco. It is owned by Nuveen Real Estate, Ltd., and managed by JLL.
Several other industrial, multifamily, mall, shopping center, office building, senior housing, medical office, and self-storage properties were identified as top-performing properties in their asset classes, compared to other IREM CSP properties. A listing of the top-ranking properties in the areas of carbon reduction, energy efficiency, and water conservation is available on the IREM Foundation website.
The Jackson Control Sustainability Awards are sponsored by Jackson Control. The IREM Foundation and IREM would like to thank Jackson Control for their support and valued partnership.
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