IREM president's message: Upcoming 2010 events

I am honored and pleased to serve the Boston Chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management for 2010. In these uncertain economic times, property management is becoming more and more challenging and requires well trained skilled individuals to be more savvy, think outside the box and not be afraid to make changes to how they do things. IREM, through its education and designations, provides this foundation for new recruits or professionals who have been in the business for many years. Owners and investors rely on a solid property manager that has the fundamentals of IREM education. This has not gone un-noticed. As some of you may be aware, IREM continues to grow both in the U.S. and internationally with chapters in Japan, Korea, and Russia, just to name a few. IREM also continues to grow locally. We are pleased to offer our colleagues in New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont the opportunity to attend the RES 201 course in New Hampshire this April. Students who attend and successfully complete the RES 201 course will receive the prestigious Accredited Residential Manager (ARM) designation. In addition, IREM will also be holding our first northern region landscape contest. We are very excited with the IREM 2010 schedule of events. Please be sure to plan as the events and educational courses do fill up quickly. I would like to point out a few highlights for February 2010. Loon Mountain IREM Skiing Networking Meeting. Please join us on February 5th for a fun-filled active day on the slopes with friends and colleagues at Loon Mountain in New Hampshire. Jobseekers Breakfast: If you are currently looking for a career in property management and want to meet potential contacts, please join us on February 16th for our Jobseekers Breakfast. IREM Professional networking event: Kick back and relax after work with friends and colleagues at the Legal Seafood restaurant in Braintree, Mass. on February 25th from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity to meet new professional business acquaintances and relax with existing friends. It is my personal goal for 2010 to continue offering an educational curriculum relative to current industry trends and to keep members and non-members informed on relevant legislative issues related to the real estate management industry. In addition, if you are interested in learning more about our educational curriculum, or would like to discuss obtaining your ARM, ACoM, or CPM designation, our mentoring program is a great way to learn more about the benefits of joining IREM. One of our officers or executive council members is available to answer any questions you may have and guide you through this process. Please feel free to contact Kelley Hannon at our Boston Office at (617) 436-7565. In addition, further information on the above events or to view our complete 2010 schedule can be found at www.iremboston.org. Rob Crowley, ARM, CPM is IREM Boston Chapter #4 2010 president and regional manager at Peabody Properties, Inc., Braintree, Mass.