Commercial investment real estate professionals continually strive to differentiate their businesses and the services they provide. The CCIM designation is a distinct advantage that is exclusive to an estimated 6 percent of industry professionals. For those who are members of this elite group, there is no better way to establish the credibility and expertise you bring to every transaction than to promote yourself as a CCIM designee.
While the CCIM designation was established in 1969, its founding principles of education, networking, and ethical practice are more relevant today than in the past. In recent years, the institute embraced technology’s role in the industry by incorporating it into our professional brand, Networking. Education. Technology. These three powerful words represent the institute’s prevailing mission, which is to provide the best commercial and investment real estate education and services available, offer a unique competitive advantage, and promote recognition of the designation as the hallmark of competency.
As CCIM designees, we possess the knowledge, skills, and tools to get the job done right. CCIMs are equipped with the most current financial, market, user-decision, and investment analysis education available today. In addition, the vast CCIM Partners network provides access to qualified professionals who specialize in all areas of commercial investment real estate as well as allied professionals in appraisal, banking, corporate real estate, taxation, and law. Only CCIMs can connect with thousands of experts from all disciplines of commercial real estate via a unified online platform.
When it comes to client services, the institute’s technology tools, including STDBonline and CCIMNet, provide CCIMs with a distinct competitive advantage. No matter how complex or challenging a brokerage assignment, lease negotiation, or consulting project may be, CCIMs are equipped with the knowledge, experience, and resources required to provide smart solutions fast. These industry-leading tools speak for themselves and place CCIM designees among the upper echelon of commercial real estate professionals.
This has been a year of growth for the institute in many areas. There are more than 8,600 designees, and more than 9,800 candidates currently are pursuing the designation. The number of students taking CCIM courses has nearly doubled in the past five years and is expected to exceed 19,000 by year-end. The curriculum redesign is well underway, with new content scheduled for completion by the end of the year. STDBonline, the industry’s leading technology site, has expanded its service line and is used by more than 1,500 industry professionals daily. Nearly 80 percent of designees have become CCIM Partners and are enjoying the many benefits of the institute’s growing professional network.
As my term as president comes to a close, I’d like to acknowledge the 2007 Management Team and Executive Leadership Team, which includes President-Elect Tim Hatlestad, CCIM; First Vice President Charles “Mac” McClure, CCIM; Treasurer Stephen Perfit, CCIM, SIOR; and Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Susan J. Groeneveld, CAE, CCIM, and thank them for their efforts this year. It’s been a pleasure serving the institute and I look forward to being involved as our growth continues.