The Appraisal Institute continues to lead the way both in terms of global leadership on valuation and commercial industry property standards, as well as appraiser education, with many exciting upcoming courses and panel events planned for this fall.
Of significant note, Appraisal Institute immediate past president Sara Stephens, MAI, was among 19 real estate experts recently selected by the International Property Measurement Standards Coalition to create the first global standard for measuring property. The Standards Setting Committee includes experts with first-hand knowledge in 50 countries, across five continents. It will act independently and is tasked with the job of drafting and consulting industry on a global standard measurement methodology. Standards Setting Committee members include academics, real estate fund and asset managers, residential professionals, valuers and specialists in development and construction.
"It's an honor to be selected to serve in this role," said Stephens, who represents the United States' largest professional association of real estate appraisers. "This opportunity is another example of how the Appraisal Institute continues to serve as the premier international real estate valuation leader." The standard is expected have a significant impact on the way property is measured, leading to improvements in valuation and financial reporting consistency across international markets. The Standards Setting Committee will start work on the drafting of the new methodology immediately and aims to have a draft ready for widespread consultation in the early part of 2014.
On the Chapter level, we are pleased to announce several excellent events and offerings for the fall season. On October 1st, we are delighted to co-host our Annual Joint Program with the Commercial Brokers Association (CBA) at the Federal Reserve Boston. This essential economic and industry update features Cathy Minehan, former President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Boston, as keynote speaker, and Bill McCall will moderate this year's panel discussion with presenters Greg LaBine of HFF, Aaron Jodka of PPR, and Chris Phaneuf of Eastdil Secured. Also, we are pleased to co-sponsor the annual New England Appraisal Expo with the MBREA on October 21st at the Sheraton Norwood. Check out these and other premier educational offerings on the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter of the Appraisal Institute website.
On October 1st, the Massachusetts & Rhode Island Chapter will co-host our Annual Joint Program with the Commercial Brokers Association, Real Estate Forum: Capital Markets and Economic Insights, featuring Cathy Minnehan as keynote speaker and Bill McCall as moderator. Please join us for this essential economic and industry update! We look forward to seeing you there!
As always, the generosity of our sponsors assists in the support our operations. We thank our 2013 Premier Sponsors, Joseph J. Blake & Assoc., Inc., CBRE, and Narrative 1, for their continued support, which helps in producing quality education and events
Please join us at these exciting and highly anticipated events! We look forward to seeing you there!

Karen Hanlon, MAI, MRICS is the 2013 president of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter of the Appraisal Institute and executive managing director of Centurion Global Realty Advisors, Boston.