President's Desk

Back to Business

Summer 2020

This year has not been what anyone expected. The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting hit to the global economy blind-sided many in commercial real estate. As the economy begins to open back up, so do the opportunities in our industry. So, you may be asking yourself, “Where do I start?”

That's where we come in. To begin with, we have created and curated a comprehensive COVID-19 resources page at ccim.com/covid19, filled with guidance and tools to help with everything from government aid and legislative updates to reopening your business or advising clients on reopening theirs. In addition, many of our courses in the Ward Center for Real Estate Studies have incorporated best practices on the pandemic's impact on the course topic and the way you need to conduct business now. I invite you to view a complete listing of our course offerings - all of which are available in an online format - at ccim.com.

Of course, you can always turn to CCIM Institute's official publication, as well. This issue of Commercial Investment Real Estate magazine is chock full of invaluable insights, analysis, and best practices on the new normal in commercial real estate.

The cover story, by CCIM Institute Chief Economist K.C. Conway, takes an in-depth look at the industry post-COVID-19. The other features tackle how the pandemic has changed the retail, industrial, and CMBS markets and where the opportunities still lie. A special congratulations go out to all the CCIMs listed in the Deal Makers section who closed some impressive deals in spite of the pandemic.

And don't forget about the magazine's companion podcast. This issue features an edited transcript of a recent episode with Roxana Isaiu, director of ESG and real estate at GRESB, a leading sustainability benchmark for real estate and infrastructure investments across the globe. If you've not checked out the Commercial Investment Real Estate podcast, you're missing out on some fascinating and informative conversations with leading industry experts.

When you take this incredible suite of publications, all the online resources and thought leadership, and our robust course offerings, coupled with the power of the global CCIM community who is always there for support, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that you have everything to help you and your clients succeed in 2020 and beyond.

Eddie D. Blanton, CCIM
2020 CCIM Institute President
Contact him at eblanton@traddcommercial.com.