CCIM Institute Abroad: Expanding Our Global Community 

Traveling on behalf of The CCIM Institute is always a privilege, and this recent series of international visits has reminded me of the incredible reach and strength of our global community. Everywhere I go, I see the impact of the Designation in new markets and new chapters, and through professionals who are using our education and network to elevate their careers. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent our organization abroad and to witness firsthand how our members are shaping the future of commercial real estate around the world. 

Turkey: Education That Inspires Immediate Action 
I began my travels in Turkey, where I attended Blue Friday, the signature commercial real estate event hosted by our education partner, Yusuf Murat Genc. Nearly 150 professionals gathered in Istanbul for a full day of presentations from industry-leading speakers in commercial real estate. I had the honor of speaking about The CCIM Institute’s education, technology, and networking offerings and was encouraged by the number of attendees already familiar with The Designation. Several professionals had completed one or more CCIM courses and shared powerful testimonials about how the curriculum immediately improved their business. Turkey continues to show strong potential for growth, and the enthusiasm in the room made it clear The CCIM Institute’s presence and our education are making an impact. 

Taiwan: Signaling Major Growth in Asia 
From Turkey, I traveled to Taipei, Taiwan, where I had the privilege of pinning 17 new Designees at a ceremony attended by nearly 150 guests. The energy and pride in the room were remarkable. The evening before, Tommy Lin, CCIM, 2024 Chapter President, generously hosted a dinner for chapter leaders and me. During introductions, the excitement and pleasure of being part of the newly formed Region 13 was expressed numerous times and I, once again, was inspired by the diversity of professions represented at the table, including lenders, attorneys, brokers, financial planners, contractors, and university professors. It was a powerful reminder of how broad and interconnected the CCIM community is, and how the Designation continues to attract leaders across the commercial real estate ecosystem. 

While in Taiwan, I also had the honor of speaking at the 2025 Taipei International Financial Expo. This event provided an exceptional platform to highlight the value of CCIM education and to elevate the Taiwan CCIM Chapter on an international stage. The visibility and professionalism of this chapter reflect the strong momentum of our organization throughout Asia. 

South Korea: Welcoming a New Generation of Designees 
My final stop was South Korea, where I joined the South Korea CCIM Chapter for their Pinning Dinner on Nov. 11, 2025. That evening, I administered the oath to 35 new Designees and welcomed them into our global community. As I congratulated each of them, I emphasized that earning the Designation is not the end of their journey but the beginning of a new chapter in their commercial real estate careers. I encouraged them to expand their networks, participate actively in chapter activities, attend our international Forums, and connect with fellow Designees across the world. Their excitement and dedication reflect the continued growth of The CCIM Institute’s presence throughout the region. When you include Japan’s 24 new Designees, the newly formed Region 13 added 76 Designees in 2025 - about 21 percent of all new Designees this year.   

Looking Ahead: An Ever-expanding Network 
These travels reaffirmed what I see every day as Global President. The CCIM Institute is expanding, innovating, and thriving because of our gold-standard education, technology tools, networking, the distinguished and respected professionals who carry the Designation and the chapters that support it all. As we look toward the future, I am inspired by the strength of our global network and energized by the opportunities ahead. Our members are shaping markets, opening new pathways, and demonstrating the power of CCIM education in every corner of the world. I look forward to continuing this journey and to supporting the incredible communities that make The CCIM Institute what it is today.