I am privileged to serve as chair of your IAMC board of directors for 2018. In this, my first letter for IAMC Insider, I’d like to tell you a bit about myself and my expectations for the year ahead for this exceptional organization.
I joined IAMC in 2007 when I was with Pfizer Pharmaceutical. My first Professional Forum was the one held in St. Louis. At the time, I had no idea how much I would come to love this organization and appreciate the lifelong friendships I would develop as a member.
When I was extended a job offer in 2015 by Penske, I let my supervisor know about IAMC and that I was serving on the board. I asked if he had any concerns. He replied, “Of course not, as Penske will benefit more through your membership.” It was very refreshing to hear a senior vice president say he saw IAMC’s strategic value to the company’s business.
Looking ahead to IAMC’s business for 2018, I anticipate a fantastic year. We’ll have two US Professional Forums in great venues — Savannah, back to our 2002 roots, and Philadelphia, an encore of our 2011 event there. Our Forums are getting better and better.
IAMC Locals came into their own last year with growing attendance, stronger sponsorship support and rising enthusiasm by the members. The schedule and programs for all seven 2018 Locals are already published on IAMC’s website. Registration is open, and sponsorships are going at a nice clip.
Like the Local program, IAMC International progressed in 2017 and has achieved loyal followings of real estate professionals in the UK, Mexico and Brazil. After the Nov. 2017 London event, a Corporate Active member with a large global company said, “The IAMC London group is really beginning to gel. The regular attendees know each other, and we look forward to the regular meetings where we compare notes and help each other solve CRE challenges.”
We expect IAMC’s 2018 Strategic Plan to add to our 2017 momentum. The plan aims to boost member value to help you do your job better, advance your career and develop meaningful professional relationships. Further, the Strategic Plan lays out measures for improving our communication tools, building our professional education capability and improving new-member onboarding.
The objectives of these changes include faster growth of the Corporate Active population, an improved member experience at Forums and Locals, and IAMC International events framed to deliver strategic value to the attendees.
Our progress through 2017 has been enabled by highly effective member councils, committees and IAMC staff. I’m blessed to work with this group, and I am honored to serve you.
I look forward to seeing you all in Savannah in May!
Best regards,
Mark Eichkorn
Chair, IAMC Board of Directors