Laurie Gral, CPM® 2008 President Greater Los Angeles Chapter No. 6

Greetings everyone and a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to you all!  

I would first like to thank Bill Wenger and Kathy Watanabe for an outstanding year of Chapter leadership, along with the 2007 leadership team of officers, committee chairs, volunteers and members. Our Los Angeles Chapter has an outstanding and extraordinary group of leaders that are the best and brightest professional men and women of Southern California. Our 2008 leadership team is all that and more. We look forward to a fabulous year of fun, innovation, career building, education and expanded networking.

This year we are thrilled to be celebrating the 75th anniversary of IREM. For 75 years, IREM has served its' members at the highest levels of education, professional networking as well as providing state of the art resources.   Because of these services, IREM members both nationally and internationally, have elevated real estate management to new heights. IREM is excited about celebrating our success and the continuation of building an even stronger foundation for the future. In celebration of this yearlong event, IREM is recognizing individual chapters and their members, their histories as well as their contributions. To help celebrate this great occasion IREM has increased the number of winners eligible for the 2008 Member-Get-A-Member Rewards Program. This year, the top 76 members that refer the most members will be awarded from $150.00 to $750.00. Just one referral can get the lucky referring member of IREM the grand prize of $2,500.00. We encourage all of you to submit success stories or other stories of how you or another member have made a difference in your profession, your business or your community. Perhaps your story pertains to how IREM has made an impact in the real estate industry or has helped you in your career. In addition to the personal stories and anecdotes, we're asking our members to submit any documents, historical items, references or materials to create a living IREM museum to commemorate the legacy and success of IREM and our Los Angeles Chapter. We encourage you to submit your stories and anecdotal materials to Abby Sims, our Chapter's Executive Director as soon as possible. For more information on the 75 th Anniversary Celebration please visit our web site at www.IREM.org/75th. Our chapter will be celebrating this event locally in June at the beautiful and historic John Anson Ford Theatre in the Hollywood Hills. Please mark your calendar and join us for an unforgettable evening under the stars.

If you missed the IREM LA / BOMA Real Estate Forecast Breakfast held at the stunning Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on January 15th, you missed a fascinating presentation and discussion on "The Sustainable Truth"; the message and wisdom of "going green and staying green". The evidence overwhelmingly supports the premise that making environmentally sound choices for real estate owners, developers and managers is no longer just an option, but a necessity. The message was clear that through these practices our profession now has the direct influence and ability to effect change in the quality of life for ourselves, our families, our communities and the future.

We want to thank all of the attendees of our February event, the "Luncheon in the Clouds" at the historic U.S. Bank Tower, formally known as the Library Tower. Recognized as the tallest building west of the Mississippi, the U.S. Bank Building provided a fascinating venue for our real estate professionals. We all delighted in personal tours of this unique facility and the rarely seen internal operational aspects of this property. This was truly a one-of-a-kind event and it made a permanent impression on all that attended.

In March we are proud to announce our 1st Annual IREM "Fun Night". IT'S BOWLING TIME!!!!    Dust off your bowling shoes and bowling ball and join us at Montrose Bowl on March 19th at 6:00 p.m. Bring your spouse, friends, kids and there will be lots of fun, food, games and prizes. The Montrose Bowl is a classic retro blast from the past. This event promises to be a great time for everyone. Don't miss it! You'll have the kids home and in bed by 8:30 p.m. We promise! Click Here to Learn More.

There are many more events to look forward to year, some of which include;

• A networking event at the widely acclaimed Center at Cathedral Plaza on April 30th, 2008.
• A dinner cruise event in beautiful Marina Del Rey along with CCIM Los Angeles
• Our annual and much anticipated Golf Tournament Monday June 9th, 2008 at the Braemar Country Club. Click Here to Learn More.
• Casino Night at a beautiful estate in the hills (don't forget Lady Luck).

We hope to see you all at all of the events!

Last but not least, we are proudly launching IREM LA's digital magazine with this issue. The DigiMag has incorporated the up-to-date/state of the art visual and real-time technology, which will distinguish IREM LA as the progressive Chapter leading at the forefront of technology. IREM LA has received national attention and recognition for this innovative approach to communication and member services. We will be hosting and teaching a webinar demonstrating our DigiMag for all of the chapters nation wide in the near future. Our DigiMag will expand our members' access to information and resources due to the unlimited space and possibilities in this new format. In short, our members will have the competitive edge due to this new membership benefit. We are so excited and proud of this effort. WELCOME TO THE 21 ST CENTURY!

So, let's make this year, the historic 75 th year of IREM. Let's make it the defining year of progress and the year that IREM LA is the shining star in our great IREM organization. We can and we will be a tough act to follow!

Enjoy your membership in the greatest professional organization anywhere!