2010 International News

IREM Signs MOU in Hungary
(October 2010) In Budapest, IREM, through President Randy Woodbury, CPM, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Hungarian Association of Real Estate Management (HAREM). The MOU reinforces the relationship established between IREM and HAREM in 1996 and recommits both organizations to further advance the profession of real estate management in their respective countries.

Speaking at a conference prior to the signing of the MOU, Mr. Dezso Keresztely, president of HAREM, reminded those present that in 1990, when communism fell, there was a lack of knowledge about real estate and real estate management. “We didn’t know how to manage and were desperate for information and guidance,” he said. “IREM gave us the support we needed and helped us build our knowledge and professionalism.” Keresztely was one of the first property managers in Hungary to receive his CPM designation in the late 1990s.

Woodbury Participates in CEREAN Conference
(October 2010) IREM President Randy Woodbury, CPM, traveled to Lviv, Ukraine, to participate in the CEREAN (Central European Real Estate Association Network) Conference. His presentation on The Role of Professional Associations in Real Estate spoke directly to the work being done by CEREAN to upgrade the stature of real estate practitioners throughout central Europe and particularly in Ukraine. While in Lviv, Woodbury, accompanied by IREM Vice President Nancye Kirk, also met with an organization in Bulgaria that is interested in importing the CPM program, and with CPM Members in Ukraine who are taking steps to form an IREM Chapter.

IREM Representatives Attend ExpoReal
(October 2010) ExpoReal is a major real estate investment exposition that this year brought 37,000 practitioners to Munich, Germany, in early October. IREM was represented by President Randy Woodbury, CPM, who participated in a panel discussion, and met with individual colleagues from Germany and Russia.

International Attendance at IREM Fall Conference Reaches All-Time High!
(October 2010) IREM achieved its highest ever percentage of international attendees at its fall conference this year. Out of all attendees, 12% were from outside the United States, hailing from Brazil, Canada, China, Chile, Japan, and South Korea.

One of the highlights of the international program was the International Business Practices Forum. This year the forum focused on condominium management and homeowners associations in different countries. Members from Japan, Brazil, Canada and the US convened to discuss this important topic.

Also of note, international attendees were able to take part in a special property tour of Celebration, Florida, an international reception in their honor, and an education session addressing the use of the financial spreadsheet outside the US.

IREM Meets With International Members During NAR Meeting
(October 2010) IREM officers and staff headed to New Orleans earlier this month to attend the NAR Annual Conference and Expo. While there, IREM leaders had a chance to meet with delegations from the Russian Guild of Realtors (RGR), administrators of Russia Chapter No. 109 and SECOVI-SP, IREM's partner in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Like IREM, NAR has a growing international program; more than a thousand international attendees participated in the NAR meeting this year.

Following New Orleans, the delegation from RGR headed to Chicago where they toured the NAR Headquarters and met with staff from IREM and CCIM.

International Delegation Visits IREM Headquarters
(October 2010) A delegation from the Japan Condominium Management Companies Association (CMCA) visited IREM Headquarters in Chicago, October 14 and 15, to learn about condominium practices and licensing requirements in the U.S. While in Chicago, CMCA met with IREM representatives and attended a presentation by DK Condo, a division of Draper & Kramer, followed by property tours of The Legacy at Millenium Park, The Park Monroe, and Harbor Point. All three condominium properties are managed by Draper & Kramer, AMO.

IREM President Presents at ProEstate in St. Petersburg, Installs New CPMs
(September 2010) IREM Russia Chapter No. 109 welcomes 17 new CPM Members, who completed the CPM education program through the Russian Guild of Realtors.  Some of these new members were installed this month by IREM President Randy Woodbury, CPM, in a special ceremony in St. Petersburg.  The Russia Chapter, established in 1999, now boasts over 100 CPM Members.

The ceremony coincided with ProEstate 2010, an exhibition and forum presented by the Russian Guild of Managers and Developers.  Woodbury and Leah Misbin, IREM Manager of International Operations, attended this conference, where Woodbury delivered a speech at ProEstate’s plenary session and presented a master class entitled “Energy Efficiency and Cost Effective Property Management: IREM’s Recipe for Success.” IREM has been a co-sponsor of this conference, advertised as the largest real estate event in Central and Eastern Europe, for the last four years.

Ukrainian Realtors Association Relaunches IREM Program
(July 2010) IREM instructor, Thomas McAndrews, CPM, concluded an offering of IREM asset management courses ASM 603, ASM604, and ASM605 in Kyiv, Ukraine, in partnership with the Ukrainian Realtors Association.  The IREM program in Ukraine has been revived after it was put on hold in 2008-2009 because of the economic crisis that hit that country especially hard. Although challenges still remain, the economy is showing signs of improvement and interest in real estate and management is on the upswing.

IREM President Speaks at Vancouver Chapter Meeting
(June 2010) IREM President Randy Woodbury, CPM, traveled to Vancouver, Canada, to speak at a meeting of IREM British Columbia Chapter No. 50.  During his visit, he also met with the City of Vancouver to promote IREM credentials.

IREM Holds Leadership Conference in Niagara Falls
 (June 2010) A number of chapter leaders in Canada attended the IREM Region 14 Leadership Conference in Niagara, Ontario, prior to the Real Estate Institute of Canada (REIC) annual general meetings.  IREM President Randy Woodbury, CPM, and President-Elect Ron Goss, CPM, were lead participants in the conference, where sessions focused on succession planning, organizing for growth, running effective meetings, and making outstanding presentations.

IREM Attends 2010 Russian Guild of Realtors Congress
(June 2010) IREM President Randy Woodbury, CPM, traveled to Yekaterinburg, Russia, to represent IREM at the Russian Guild of Realtors (RGR) annual congress.  During his visit, he spoke at the opening plenary session, attended a meeting of FIABCI-Russia, met with leaders of IREM Russia Chapter No. 109, served on a panel during a press conference and presented on trends in real estate management at a special session on property management. 

Poland Launches New Translation of Asset Management Courses
(June 2010) IREM instructor, Steve Easton, CPM, presented the first offering of the updated asset management courses ASM603, ASM604, and ASM605 in Warsaw.  Easton also demonstrated the Polish version of the IREM Financial Spreadsheet tool.

Japan Installs 35 New CPM Members
(May 2010) In Osaka, Japan, 35 new CPM Members were installed at the IREM Japan Chapter No. 110 annual meeting with assistance from IREM President, Randy Woodbury, CPM.  At the annual meeting, Woodbury also gave a presentation on the evolution of property management as a profession in the United States and the role the chapter can play in elevating the status of the profession in Japan.  Morikuni (Mike) Kono, CPM, was confirmed as chapter president for a second term.

New Chapter in Canada
(May 2010) IREM has a new chapter, IREM Saskatchewan Chapter No. 117.  This brings the total number of chapters in Canada to eight and the number of international chapters to 13.

China Commences 2010 Round of CPM Designation Courses
(May 2010) Weston Real Estate Management, IREM’s education licensee in Shanghai, China, kicked off its second round of CPM designation courses in May; they will continue through December 2010.  This is the second round of courses Weston has sponsored since its partnership with IREM began in September 2008.

Russian Faculty Expands
(May 2010) In continued support of IREM’s commitment to develop in-country international faculty, two new CPM Members were approved for faculty status. Russian members Oleg Bryanov, CPM, and Marat Manasyan, CPM, bring the total number of approved instructors in Russia to six.

International Members Attend IREM Leadership and Legislative Summit
(May 2010) IREM Members from Canada and Japan attended the IREM Leadership and Legislative Summit, May 1-5 in Washington, DC. In response to a greater demand for Management Plan Skills Assessment graders in Canada and Japan, IREM held a grader training session for applicants from both countries during the conference.

IREM President Meets With IREM Manitoba Chapter, Speaks at PPMA Meeting
(April 2010) IREM President Randy Woodbury, CPM, traveled to Winnipeg, Manitoba, to attend an Annual Awards Ceremony held by IREM Manitoba Chapter No. 114.  During this visit to Canada, he also spoke at a meeting of the Professional Property Managers Association (PPMA). 

IREM Courses Now Offered in Rio de Janeiro
(March 2010) IREM partnered with SECOVI-RIO to offer a round of ARM courses in Rio de Janeiro.  The courses began in March and continue through May. This is the first time IREM has offered courses in Rio de Janeiro.  Previous offerings in Brazil have been done in Sao Paulo through SECOVI-SP.  

IREM Korea Membership Continues to Swell
(March 2010) IREM Korea Chapter No. 112 achieved record growth since it was formed in 2004, and evidence of this growth was seen at the chapter’s annual meeting on February 23 when 22 new CPM designees were installed in Seoul. IREM President Randy Woodbury, CPM, attended the event to install the new CPM Members and deliver a presentation acknowledging the tremendous strides made by the Korea Chapter since its formation.

The presentation focused on the new chapter leaders, encouraging them to continue to focus on raising the awareness of professional property management and the CPM designation, while reaching out to the more than 200 designated CPM Members in Korea.

Also during the visit, meetings were held with IREM’s Korean instructors and graders, along with both incoming and outgoing chapter leaders. 

IREM Posts 2009 International Membership Numbers
(January 2010) IREM’s international membership increased in 2009, with 166 new CPM Members, 56 new ARM Members, and two new ACoM Members from 11 countries.  These new members came from increased course offerings in Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Poland, and Russia – representing nearly 40% of all IREM classroom students enrolled in designation courses in 2009