Commercial real estate trade associations offer invaluable tools to help agents and brokers network, gain industry insight, share tricks of the trade and, most importantly, gain contacts that can potentially translate into sales leads. Commercial real estate professional organizations also provide industry professionals with the opportunity to advance their education and knowledge.

Many commercial real estate orgs offer educational opportunities via seminars, classes, workshops and luncheons to learn about what is going on locally and nationally in regard to the market, technology and the industry as a whole. If you wish to benefit from what commercial real estate associations provide educationally, consider the following ways to take advantage of commercial real estate organizations education and training offerings:

1. Expand your professional network by attending events sponsored commercial real estate professional associations.

2. Get industry know-how by attending a seminar or two offered by a commercial real estate trade association.

3. Keep up with commercial real estate trade organizations' happenings and industry news via online blogs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Network by attending events sponsored by commercial real estate professional organizations

Many organizations are recognized as being 'people-friendly,' which means a primary goal is to offer professional networking opportunities. Networking often happens over luncheons, dinners, cocktails, golfing and even organization-sponsored fundraising events.

I recommend: AIR Commercial Real Estate Association's events include an annual dinner and golfing event and a quarterly networking social. CREW-Atlanta (Commercial Real Estate for Women) holds ladies-only networking and professional development opportunities including monthly luncheons, social events and fundraising galas.

Gain industry know-how via a seminar offered by a commercial real estate trade association

Many commercial real estate professional organizations offer educational seminars and courses to enhance industry knowledge. Many of these courses include educational information about pressing issues, new technologies and even industry trends that change from year to year.

I recommend: The Appraisal Foundation offers several courses related to real estate appraisal standards. The Appraisal Institute's website lists a number of educational opportunities, including a Commercial Appraisal Engagement and Review seminar for bankers and appraisers.

Read online blogs to keep up on commercial real estate orgs happenings

Online blogs are a great way to get up-to-the-minute news and/or opinions that can help professionals keep their 'fingers on the pulse,' in regard to the commercial real estate industry. Many of these blogs are authored by commercial real estate agents and brokers -- and it is likely you and your co-workers can identify with many of the topics and issues discussed.

I recommend: The Square Feet Commercial Real Estate Blog offers industry news. Brokered - Thoughts on NYC Commercial Real Estate is a blog dedicated to New York City happenings in the commercial real estate industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Subscribe to industry trade publications that are available online or in print from commercial real estate organizations to learn about trends and issues that can impact your business. Consider subscribing to more than one since the focus of each association may differ slightly.

Commercial real estate professional associations represent and promote developers and property managers. They offer lifelong learning and professional development. Members have access to educational tools as well as industry news that they don’t get in their day-to-day profession. Real estate organizations help you deal with the complex challenges of delivering quality service, integrating new technology, streamlining operations and innovating business strategies.

Commercial real estate professional organizations offer professionals what they need to achieve new heights in the business. Members have access to networking opportunities that bring together a cross-section of real estate practitioners, educational courses and conferences, research publications, online business resources and course discounts. When considering a commercial real estate organization:

1. Join commercial real estate professional organizations to network with other professionals.

2. Pay annual dues to commercial real estate organizations.

3. Expect benefits to range from professional discounts to an increase in personal knowledge.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use a commercial real estate trade association to network and develop your professional skills

Real estate organizations run the gamut from local groups to international associations. All have one goal: to further the commercial real estate industry. They offer members valuable resources and relationships.

I recommend: CCIM Institute is the most respected commercial real estate trade association. Membership gets you access to online business services, educational and networking resources in the industry. You must take a course before registering with the CCIM Institute. You can also pay your membership dues online. Join the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB) if you're a broker, manager or owner. CRB is an affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS®. Take online courses to further your career.

Pay annual dues to join commercial real estate associations

Dues to commercial real estate professional associations vary depending on the group and the membership level you choose. There may also be additional fees for events, conferences, literature and other services.

I recommend: The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) is a real estate professional organization made up of asset and property managers. Members must meet strict criteria in the areas of ethics, education and experience. IREM educates real estate managers, serves as an advocate and certifies managers' professionalism. Join IREM as a certified property manager (CPM), CPM candidate, associate, accredited residential manager or accredited commercial manager. The SOCIETY OF INDUSTRIAL AND OFFICE REALTORS (SIOR) gives members the SIOR certification which is a professional symbol of achievement, production, knowledge and ethics. Membership dues range from a few hundred dollars to about $1000.

Benefit from joining commercial real estate orgs personally and professionally

Commercial real estate associations provide you with education with an edge. You have access to resources that many of your peers don't have. Member benefits typically include access to a membership directory, publications, events, forums and discounts.

I recommend: Join Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council (REBAC) and gain access to homebuyer toolkits and the official REBAC logo. The real estate professional association is the world's largest association that focuses on the real estate buyer. Other benefits keep you on top of legislative and legal issues and marketing trends. There are also publications, events and networking opportunities. The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) is a group aimed at leading real property advisors. Member benefits include education, contacts, designations, strategic alliance and access to a membership directory. Complete the membership application to join.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use commercial real estate orgs to their fullest potential. Take advantage of online forums and chat rooms to increase your networking opportunities.

A commercial real estate organization provides various opportunities for its members, and other professionals from the real estate industry, to share their expertise and increase their knowledge. Various professionals, like real estate inspectors, brokers and agents, can be a part of such organization.

This guide will familiarize you with various terms related to commercial real estate organizations that you will hear from professionals in the real estate industry. This guide provides description for various key terms, such as CRE, NAR, real estate inspectors and agents.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

CRE (Counselors of Real Estate)

The CRE is an organization for real estate advisors who provide guidance for a client or employer. This organization serves as an information resource for its members by offering a platform for professional development, knowledge sharing and networking.

I recommend: For detailed information about this association and its working, you can browse through The Counselors of Real Estate.

NAR (National Association of Realtors)

The NAR is an organization that helps its members become more successful by imparting knowledge about the latest technologies in the form of seminars and workshops.

I recommend: Learn more about this association at NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS.

Real estate inspectors

A real estate inspector has the license to inspect commercial and/ or residential real estate properties and issue a certificate regarding the condition of the property. Standards and codes of ethics bind these real estate inspectors. If you intend to buy a commercial property, you must get the inspection done through a qualified real estate inspector.

I recommend: For the definition of a real estate inspector, read through the glossary at Homes-and-real-estate.com, a useful resource on home ownership.

Real estate agents

A real estate agent is an individual who is licensed in a particular state to sell property for a commission.

I recommend: You can get the definition of a real estate agent at RealEstateAgent.com.

Real estate brokers

A real estate broker is an individual who has passed the broker's exam after practicing as an agent for a few years.

I recommend: To understand the meaning of the term real estate broker, read through the glossary at Guidance Corporate Realty Advisors. Additionally, you can refer to wiseGEEK for information regarding real estate brokers.

Real estate appraisers

The task of a real estate appraiser is to determine the market value of property or land. Today, in most states, a real estate appraiser must be licensed or certified.

I recommend: To learn more about real estate appraisers and their license requirements, you can refer to Online Education.

Keeping up with commercial real estate organizations news and trends is good practice if you are a real estate professional. Commercial real estate professional associations offer resources to their members that allow them to help their customers. While the membership dues for commercial real estate trade organizations may seem expensive, you should receive more than you pay in services from commercial real estate trade associations.

One of the perks of membership in commercial real estate professional organizations is access to current news and trends in the market. With this knowledge, you can better position your clients to buy and sell their properties at a profit. That makes happy customers, which are often repeat customers. As you read commercial real estate organizations news and trends, look for:

1. Inside tips from the commercial real estate professional organizations on making your real estate office successful.

2. Opportunities to network with other commercial real estate trade groups.

3. Advertising opportunities on the real estate organizations websites and print material.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Follow headline news stories that feature commercial real estate trade association news

Many commercial real estate professional organizations regularly publish news. Find a news source you can follow on a regular basis to stay on top of breaking news stories and follow trends. In some cases you may find RSS feeds for real estate news headlines, delivering new items right to your computer or cell phone.

I recommend: Read the news digest provided by the commercial real estate trade association, CCIM Institute. You can track commercial real estate news weekly. Keep up with commercial real estate organizations news and trends by reading the news digest of the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers.

Make sure you receive newsletters offered by commercial real estate organizations

You may receive newsletters or magazines automatically as part of your membership fees in the commercial real estate organizations. If you don't, check to make sure you aren't missing out on this opportunity to track news and trends.

I recommend: Request a subscription for the real estate professional organization magazine, REDNews, short for Real Estate Directory News. You can also use this real estate professional association to advertise properties. The Association of Commercial Real Estate offers a newsletter for commercial real estate organizations in California. You can also access archives from these commercial real estate professional organizations to track news and trends.

Find blogs published by commercial real estate associations

Blogs are often full of current trends, as well as insider tips. Paying attention to a number of blogs from different commercial real estate associations can give you a good overall picture of the real estate industry.

I recommend: The commercial real estate associations blogs from the National Association of Realtors look at current trends. Sign up for the RSS feed from the National Association of Real Estate Brokers to follow market data from this commercial real estate organization.