At the opening session, Dr. Linda Caradine-Poinsett, IREM CEO and EVP, joined 2024 IREM President Libby Ekre, CPM®, and 2024 IREM Foundation President Dee Headley, CPM®, CCIM, to share IREM’s plans beyond 2024 – from overall membership growth and resource expansion to the specific efforts under way to build a sustainable IREM chapter network. Later in the conference, Headley had the honor of presenting an IREM Foundation raffle in support of Elaina’s Sustainability Grants – with a prize of a week’s stay in Barbados at the home of 2020 IREM President Cheryl Gray, CPM®.
Liz Nead on active leadership
Liz Nead, speaker, author, and adventurer, gave us the eight rules of sherpa leadership, lessons she learned while climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Her journey began as an idea and bloomed as her imagination became reality. It started with rule #1 – setting a stretch goal, something outside her comfort zone that was a little scary, unexpected, and unknown. Rule #2, everyone can win, came together with rule #3 – buy the ticket. Once she bought the literal and metaphorical ticket, the wheels were set into motion with no turning back.
There were challenges, from the reduced oxygen levels to pacing herself, but emerging from her tent in the morning to see the clouds below her, to summitting the mountain at midnight under a sky full of stars, she knew it was all worth it, and recognized that these experiences would’ve been lost if she had not followed through.
Caylen Bufalino on using your voice for IREM
In her presentation, Caylen Bufalino, owner of Goudie Media, noted that “communication is another word for connection. Connection is what creates relationships. Relationships create unforgettable experiences.” She cited three ingredients to framing your message to be shared and remembered. Bufalino explored strategies that evolve communication into authentic, memorable experiences.
Perhaps the most important advice Bufalino shared was to ask the question, “Why should your audience listen to you?” By making our content relatable, we create meaningful moments. She concluded, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Kim Becking on how to Ignite Unstoppable Momentum™
Kim Becking, J.D., ended the conference with a presentation on how to “Ignite Unstoppable Momentum™” and harness the power of adaptability, resilience, and mindset. She talked about turning obstacles into opportunities, fear into fuel, and resistance into buy-in. With a mindset of motivation, and tools to bounce forward using every change and challenge to propel you, you and your chapter can be made stronger and better.
Wrapping up with a renewed sense of purpose, a new attitude, new connections, and a refreshed view of chapter management, our IREM chapter leaders have returned to their regions with a rejuvenated sense of responsibility to ensure their chapter operations are sustainable.