The President’s Message

Navigating Through Change  
As I reflect on 2025, I’m proud of how The CCIM Institute has continued to adapt and grow in a year marked by economic shifts, policy changes, and global uncertainty. As the industry evolves, our community stands strong, guided by the same resilience and professionalism that defines the Designation, our chapters, and our industry. From our fantastic Forums to voting in our 2026 leadership, we close out the year with many successes while looking forward to the new year and the opportunities that await us.   

We began the year with strong momentum, earning a 16th-place ranking in Lipsey’s 2025 Top 25 Brand Survey, an eight-point improvement from our 24th-place position last year. Conducted by The Lipsey Company, the survey is a respected benchmark of brand recognition across the commercial real estate industry. This advancement reflects The CCIM Institute’s continued progress and growing visibility as we strengthen our presence and stand out among leading CRE organizations. 

Engaging Our Members 
The CCIM Spring & Fall Forums have transformed into the heartbeat of The CCIM Institute. They have become a place where CCIMs come together to network, make deals, welcome new Designees, and continue the fellowship that makes our community special. Our 2025 Fall Forum in Vancouver was our most successful yet. It was a massively attended, sold-out week with energy, connection, and excitement.   

This Fall, we saw the inclusion of new events, such as our Deal Pitch Lunch, where select members gave their 90-second pitch to a room full of peers eager to make a deal, as well as our first ever Dealmakers Awards & Dinner- recently featured in ConnectCRE- where we got to recognize some of the biggest, multi-million deals in commercial real estate pulled off by our brilliant Designees.  

The Forum could not have been done without the tremendous support of our sponsors and vendors, who saw ROI on-site, as they were able to gather leads and sign contracts, proving that our Forums aren’t just a place for our members, but an excellent opportunity for anyone doing business in commercial real estate.   

We are excited to carry this energy into our Spring Forum in Philadelphia, April 19–23, 2026, and our Fall Forum in Los Angeles, October 4-8, 2026, where we can expect even more opportunities to connect, exciting educational sessions on the latest developments in the industry, and new events taking form over the months leading into April. I look forward to seeing familiar faces, meeting new ones, and continuing the momentum that has defined this incredible year.  

Supporting Our Chapters 
One of the most rewarding parts of this year has been connecting with chapters across the U.S. and around the world. Through my travels, I’ve had the opportunity to engage directly with CCIMs at various conferences, including the last stop of my presidency in New York City at ICSC New York. While there, I spent time with members at our booth and joined a dinner hosted by our New York Metro Chapter, where I had meaningful conversations with CCIMs and newly elected board leaders about the work happening in their chapter and market. 

Throughout 2025, our chapters also reached important milestones that reflect growth in many forms. Our reinstated Alaska Chapter welcomed its second member following our Fall Forum in Vancouver, while our Hawaii Chapter celebrated its 50th anniversary. These moments remind us that progress does not always look the same, and every chapter milestone is worth recognizing. 

Internationally, chapter momentum continued with the formation of Region 13, representing Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, which was certified at our Fall Forum. In these markets, I met professionals who are not only earning the Designation but also strengthening their local networks through active chapter engagement. Chapters in Asia pinned 76 new Designees in 2025, accounting for approximately 21 percent of all new Designees this year and underscoring the growing demand for CCIM-level education and leadership across the region. 

Together, these developments highlight the impact that education, chapters, and committed leadership can have when they align, creating stronger communities and expanding the reach of The CCIM Institute worldwide. 

Building Global Relationships 
International growth was one of the clearest signals of momentum for The CCIM Institute in 2025. This quarter marked an important step in expanding our international reach, as we entered a strategic education partnership with ThinkProp, a government-recognized real estate training institute in the United Arab Emirates. Through this collaboration, CCIM Designation courses will now be delivered throughout the UAE, strengthening our presence in one of the world’s most active and forward-looking real estate markets. This partnership underscores our commitment to bringing CCIM’s analytical frameworks and professional standards to regions where technology, PropTech, and cross-border investment are rapidly shaping the future of commercial real estate.  

That same momentum is expanding across other global markets through education partnerships. This year, we welcomed one of our newest education partners, MVJE García y Asociados in Mexico City, reinforcing both the strength of our curriculum and the growing demand for CCIM education in Latin America. We are also continuing to build international learning pathways through our collaboration with IREM International Partners, expanding access to professional development for members and candidates around the world.   

Together, these partnerships highlight how The CCIM Institute is extending high-impact educational opportunities into new regions while strengthening the value of the Designation globally.  

Looking Ahead  
As we move into 2026, I am confident that The CCIM Institute’s international momentum will continue to grow through strong chapters, expanding education partnerships, and a rising global demand for the Designation. Each new market we reach strengthens our worldwide network of Designees, creating more opportunities to share insight, build relationships, and pursue global collaboration.