Together we thrive

One of the foremost benefits of belonging to IREM is the chance to connect with real estate management professionals who know what you’re dealing with and understand the highs and lows of being a property manager.

I have found that being a part of this community is an indispensable part of my IREM experience, lifting me through the most difficult times and leading to growth as a real estate manager, leader, and person.

That’s why coming together live and in person at the 2021 IREM Global Summit at the Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa in Las Vegas from Oct. 11–14 will be so special. 2021 IREM President Chip Watts, CPM, CCIM, has rightly seized on a theme of resiliency through togetherness. He’s called on us to realize the importance of our work as real estate managers, which has become even more evident over the course of the global pandemic.

The 2021 IREM Global Summit in Las Vegas is our opportunity to recapture that sense of togetherness as we lead the organization through an exciting period of rapid industry change. The Summit is our chance to thrive.

Influence

As always, the business of IREM has a prominent place on the agenda, as all of our committees and boards will  convene.

The Summit helps put IREM on firm footing for what lies ahead. Today, the industry is at a critical point, with so many changes rapidly brought about by the pandemic, the acceleration of automation technology, and other underlying factors. We invite you to seize this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about real estate management and to take the chance to put your best volunteering foot forward to help shape the future of IREM and the real estate management industry.

I’m constantly reminded, particularly at the Global Summit, that we can extend our influence from the local level to the national—and all the way to the international—level. I get such inspiration connecting with my global IREM friends as we work together to shape the industry around the world.

While the face time in Las Vegas will be invaluable, committee and board members who are still unable to travel for business, or are uncomfortable traveling, will have the option of joining their meetings virtually.

Note that this virtual option is available only for committee and board meetings. Other essential elements of the Summit, including keynote speakers and education sessions, will be exclusively in person.

Recovery is coming. According to officials, we’ll have made great progress in vaccinations by the time we meet in Las Vegas. Your safety and well-being are a top priority, and we are committed to putting additional safety measures in place to ensure a smooth on-site experience.

IREM will continue to consult with the Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa on our procedures, as we all know how quickly guidelines can evolve. The resort has a strong commitment to guest safety, with standards and protocols that meet or exceed the highest standards set by federal, state, and local authorities.

Learn

IREM will hold a number of stellar education sessions for those who attend in person. The sessions will cover timely topics relevant to today’s opportunities and challenges, delivered by industry-leading presenters.

And, there are three keynote speakers you don’t want to miss—they’ll truly inspire you! 

First, we’re excited to welcome as our opening keynote Risha Grant, founder and CEO of Risha Grant LLC, an award-winning diversity consulting and communications firm. With passion, persistence, and knowledge, Risha has worked with governors, NBA teams, mayors, and CEOs of Fortune 500 companies to reduce bias and advance understanding of diversity and inclusion.

Next, we’ll be joined by Jon Acuff. In every element of work and life, goals matter. Jon will share what it takes to turn a chronic starter into a consistent finisher. He’s a New York Times-best-selling author of seven books, including his Wall Street Journal No. 1 bestseller, Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done. 

And for our closing keynote, we’re thrilled to have Liz Bohannon, founder of Sseko Designs, an ethical fashion brand that works to educate and empower women. Liz will share how you can’t dismiss someone’s success by calling it “beginner’s luck.” What if the very fact that they were a beginner is what gave them the advantage to succeed?

It’s also important to mention the opportunities that you will have to learn from IREM’s industry sponsors and other service providers. You’ll have chances to connect with them to find new solutions for your businesses.

Network

Networking is a big part of the IREM Global Summit experience. I always look forward to connecting with members from around the world, especially other IREM instructors and my fellow CPMs who lead their AMO firms. Of course, I also enjoy meeting new friends—that’s part of the Summit fun!

The Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa has lots of dining and gathering areas for ad hoc meetings or catching up with IREM friends. Las Vegas has become quite the culinary destination in recent years, and the Red Rock is on top of its game with many tiers of dining options. Among the resort’s outstanding restaurants are upscale steak and sushi; a noodle bar that blends Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Thai cuisines; and casual Italian fare at Osteria Fiorella from James Beard award-winning chef Marc Vetri.

Want to explore your bold side? Consider the adventures available just outside the resort. The Red Rock is nestled in ancient sandstone cliffs, where you can arrange to go horseback riding, river kayaking, or bike riding.

The resort has some other fabulous amenities. You’ll find gaming, of course, where you can try your hand at blackjack, slots, bingo (eight one-hour sessions daily at the Red Rock Bingo Lounge), or just take in the action.

How does bowling sound? Red Rock Lanes is a luxury casino bowling center with 72 lanes, a game room, and private VIP suites to make for a memorable experience.

Celebrate

Did you think we’d miss the celebrations? Not a chance. It’s Las Vegas, after all!

We’ll kick off the Summit with the Opening Premier Party poolside, honoring 2021 IREM President Chip Watts. The night will be filled with great food, drinks, and dancing. And back by popular demand, we’ll feature a live performance from the Nashville-based Chris Weaver Band, the musical act that appeared at the 2019 IREM Global Summit in San Francisco.

And, there will be opportunities to explore all of the great things the IREM Foundation is doing. Learn how you can support the Foundation at a time when its scholarships and grants are doing so much to move the industry forward.

The Summit culminates with the Inaugural Gala, where we’ll celebrate Barry Blanton, CPM, and usher him in as 2022 IREM president. The celebration will also feature the REME Awards—a chance to recognize real estate management excellence among our peers. Will you be among those honored?

Serving as chair of the Conference Advisory Board this year is such an exciting opportunity, particularly as we’re able to return to an in-person event. Let’s embrace Chip Watts’ valuable message of resiliency and togetherness and make the most of this meaningful event as the IREM community comes together to thrive again.