IREM President’s Message: Ringing in the New Year

It is my privilege and honor to lead the IREM Boston Chapter #4 as we enter 2024 – a year when we must continue to navigate what is the new normal for the real estate industry and seek out innovative ways to adapt how we conduct business.

But before we focus on objectives that our chapter has set as priorities in this new year, let me share some information about myself. I began my career in the multifamily industry in 1990, earning my Accredited Residential Manager (ARM), Certified Property Manager (CPM), Certified Apartment Leasing Professional (CALP), and Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) designations along the way. I have been employed with Beacon Communities since 2012 and am its Vice President of Learning and Development.

I am presently the vice president of Training and Education for the New England Affordable Housing Management Association (NEAHMA) and Chair of Curriculum Development with the National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI).

Now that you know a little about me, let’s turn the attention to our chapter’s 2024 strategic plan, beginning with a continued public relations engagement to assist in enhancing IREM’s visibility, showcase it’s many educational offerings, and further grow chapter membership. 

Speaking of our educational programs, this year, in partnership with our national association, we will continue to offer best-in-class learning opportunities in a variety of environments, including in-classroom, virtual and on-demand property management courses to help members certify, develop, master core competencies, and build new skills.

We will continue to champion the IREM Foundation and its mission “to be a resource for people and organizations seeking to advance the profession of real estate management.” The Foundation is a proven resource to countless of our members – offering scholarships and grants – and we are excited to help support and endorse this outstanding organization.

As a professional real estate management association, we recognize the importance of building and strengthening relationships with local organizations. While some of these businesses don’t fit the criteria to become members of our IREM chapter, they offer vital services that support our members. We, in turn, can help them grow and flourish as Friends of IREM. By joining the Friends of IREM, businesses are offered the opportunity to conduct seminars, participate in and sponsor events, and connect with our influential group of decision-makers in the property and asset management industry.

Our strategic plan for 2024 includes a continued focus on diversity, a core value of our chapter. We recognize that diversity, equity and inclusion are the foundations of our strength as an organization. We also acknowledge that we still have work to do in fully embracing and valuing our differences while cultivating an environment of equal opportunity for everyone associated with IREM. To that end our goals in the new year include embedding diversity and inclusion in all our policies and practices.

I look forward to all that 2024 brings to our industry and am grateful for your partnership and dedication to IREM Boston Chapter #4.

Upcoming IREM Events:

January 25
2024 Economic Forecast Luncheon, Past President Recognition, New Members Installation
11:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Granite Links ( Ross Grand ballroom), 100 Quarry Hills Drive, Quincy, MA

February 6
Bruins Night and Networking at Legacy Club Bruins Alumni
5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston, MA

February 26
ARMTRK ARM Track (ETHICS, RES201 or MXD201, ARMEXM)
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Forbes Office Park, 10 Forbes Road, Braintree, MA

March 26
MULTRK Managing People & Marketing/Multifamily Track (MKL410, HRS402)
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Forbes Office Park, 10 Forbes Road Braintree, MA

Chris Salamanis-Rivera is the 2024 IREM Boston Chapter president and Vice President of Learning and Development at Beacon Communities, Lynn, Mass.