IREM takes learning curve and stretches it round globe.

Education has been the watchword that has helped the Institute of Real Estate Management become an international powerhouse in the field of property management.

Today, it has 18,049 members both in the US and in 29 different countries across the globe, including Russia, China and Poland, and is currently building chapters in such nations as South Korea, South Africa, Vietnam, Egypt and the Ukraine.

It's a long way from its humble beginnings during the Great Depression in the US when, in 1933, a group of 30 managers got together to address a shortage of skilled staff to operate the thousands of income-producing buildings that were being foreclosed. Those early members were determined to establish ethical and professional standards for the industry and today, those standards still hold true.

"What IREM does very well is we train people to be good managers--we are not about any specific type of property, but about good management," said Fred Parass, the current president of the Institute who is nearing the end of his one-year term of office.

"There are owners and investors who look at property management as a commodity, but when you employ people who are experienced, well educated and who have the resources to find solutions to problems, you are creating value in a property as well as great working and living conditions for people. That's really what it's all about."

Parass, who is a principal of Lacrosse, WI-based PMC Management Group, added, "There was a time when building owners weren't as supportive of education programs, but that has all changed and employers are seeing the value of good quality training."

In the past three years alone, IREM membership has jumped 10% thanks in large part to a program aimed at raising the viability of its designations such as Certified Property Manager, for individual asset managers working with large portfolios of commercial, residential, retail or industrial properties, Accredited Residential Manager and, Accredited Management Organization, which recognizes excellence among real estate management firms.

Parass has also made it his business during the past year to continue to shine the spotlight on workforce development and helping build a quality workforce for tomorrow as well as developing relationships with universities so IREM can now offer courses in the classroom, online and in home study formats.

The IREM Foundation is a major provider of scholarships for the real estate management profession and has scholarships available for students at all levels, from those currently in college to those wishing to achieve an IREM credential

During Parass' term in office, a further two new membership categories were introduced--one for students and one for academics--and IREM started a new, mid-level certification program for managers who work in the office and retail sectors.

"It's been a very interesting experience," said Parass of his presidency. Indeed, the IREM faculty member found himself on a true learning curve during his travels as the IREM ambassador this year.

"There are so many things that you learn during these trips," he said. "You get the chance to visit with your counterparts in their home countries, see their buildings, learn how they operate them and the differences, and similarities, in the way we do things.

"In Asia, for example, the use of technology in buildings is phenomenal and, while the same technology exits here, you see it more often there because they tend to experiment more."

In response to their nations' space crunch, the Asians have also managed to come up with some creative solutions to parking and, in South America, Parass picked up some new ideas on energy management.

But according to the president, the international members are just as eager to learn from their US counterparts. "There is an incredible interest in education in South Korea and the IREM designation is very well respected there.

"The Chinese are very aggressive about bringing management educators to their nation and Japan's real estate management sector is growing rapidly."

Developing relationships in these countries has also been key to IREM's own evolution. As Parass explained, "What's important is that we are able not only to train and educate people but to create an environment where, for the life of their career, they have access to resources that allow them to be on the cutting edge of property management both through our website and the network of individuals always there and always willing to share information to help someone solve a problem, whether they're operating in Chile or Chicago.

"Being a member of IREM has always been a very rewarding experience for me and, this year, it has also given me the opportunity to experience the industry applied in many different markets."

Bob Toothaker, from CBRE in Indiana, will take over the presidency later this year.