President's message: Keeping the drinks flowing in 2011

Many of you attend networking, panel, and speaking events to find deals and opportunities. You may be disappointed when it doesn't work out. It's similar to walking into a pub, bellying up to the bar, and waiting for the bar tender to serve you drinks. You may speak with the person to your left or your right, catch their name, what they do, and after a few drinks, head home. Have you ever wondered who leaves the bar with the connections, the money, and opportunities? It's the bar tender. The bar tender wins by leading and organizing. To be the bar tender, you need to get involved, volunteer, serve on a board of directors, organize programs, events, or even set up your own group. Sure, it's a lot of work, but if you want to accelerate your success and access to opportunities, you need to be behind the bar where everyone reaches to meet you. As we wrap up 2010, I'd like to thank those of you at New England CCIM behind the bar - you made 2010 a year to remember. Chris Norwood, Ron Fredette, Paul Natalizio, and Jim Boudrot, thank you for work on this year's governance committee. Thank you to our board of advisors, Deb Stevens, John Miller, Doug Smith, and David Douvadjian for your experience and guidance. Thank you to our 2010 board of directors and chairs, Sandy Brown, Bob Shannon, Erin Link, Mark Dickey, John Hughes, Jeanne Baretta. And thank you to our chapter administrator, Heather Campbell. She's the person making our programs, events, and meetings run without a hitch. We particularly appreciate the support of our sponsors, American Furniture Rentals, REGUS, and our strategic relationships with MIT's Center for Real Estate and the Greater Boston Board of Realtors. Thank you for your encouragement and contributions throughout 2010. In 2011, we welcome our new, New England CCIM chapter board of directors. Erin Link, CCIM as vice president, Bob Shannon, CCIM as treasurer, and Katherine Rowley, CCIM as secretary. Thank you for continuing to support the New England CCIM Chapter and for keeping the drinks flowing in 2011. Jeremy Cyrier, CCIM, 2011 president of the New England CCIM Chapter and founder and principal of Mansard Commercial Properties, Lexoington, Mass.