This year’s Virtual IREM Summit offered a range of educational options, from the practical (Excel) to the inspirational (Own Your Own Genius Zone). All in all, IREM delivered 12 education sessions over the course of the two-day event. Several focused on the events of the day – COVID-19, a global economic forecast, and a legislative update - while other sessions appealed to the ongoing challenges of social media marketing, technology and property management best practices.
Lessons Learned from COVID-19, with IREM’s director of government affairs, Ted Thurn, Wade Conlon of Hanson Professional Services, Inc and Mindy Gronbeck, CPM® with Hawkins Companies, AMO®, and moderated by IREM 2021 President-Elect Barry Blanton, captured the essence of what property managers are universally challenged with today – the ongoing and unrelenting pandemic. This discussion on government stimulus, HVAC and building operations underscored the need for upgrades to tenant/resident/property manager/owner communications, building health, and additional government stimulus.
A panel discussion presenting a global economic forecast, moderated by Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President, Research, with the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) likewise resonated with Summit attendees, in an effort to achieve greater understanding of the impact of the global pandemic on the economy. This group of experts revealed the results of their research and predictions for the U.S. and other key markets, and their views on the future of real estate in all asset classes.
IREM’s Director of Government Affairs, Ted Thurn, returned to the Summit, joined by 2021 IREM President Chip Watts, CPM®, CCIM, IREM Government Affairs Liaison Andrew Lomo, and NAR Director Megan Booth. These panelists took a look at the real estate management issues currently hanging in the balance in Congress, the potential impact of the U.S. presidential election on real estate, and a look ahead to the issues expected to be up for discussion in 2021.
Everyone wants to be social smart, right? Sometimes, though, we’re overwhelmed by all the social media channels and options. With today’s social distancing guidelines, property managers need to be really good at applying the benefits of social media to their marketing plans. Katie Lance of Katie Lance Consulting was on board at the Summit to share her best practices for social media marketing, and help property managers create a successful social media marketing strategy for their properties.
We all have unique gifts, talents, and abilities. Are you using yours to their fullest extent? When we use our strengths intentionally, we experience less stress and find more joy in our work and personal lives. Dr. Debbie Phillips, CPM®, and an expert at identifying personal strengths, examined the benefits of good job fit, and how to increase employee engagement by focusing on what she calls our “genius zone.”
The strong attendance at the 2020 Virtual IREM Summit education sessions speaks to their value among IREM members. If you attended the Summit, what were your favorite sessions, and why?