News from the Chicago Chapter

IREM Chicago Debuts Committee to Engage Industry Partners

The more than 50 Industry Partner companies that are part of the IREM Chicago chapter network will gain formal representation in 2021 through the establishment of a new committee.  The Industry Partner Action Committee (IPAC) was formed to help strengthen the existing member network through the retainment of current members and recruit of other companies. A long-term goal is to have Industry Partners contribute to future chapter programming and events.

IREM Chicago, one of the largest national chapters with more than 600 members, recognizes Industry Partners in 28 categories. These firms – both national and local in scope – provide the wide range of products and services needed to manage commercial real estate assets.

In fall of 2020, the Chapter polled Industry Partners for insight on the value they gain through participation in events and business opportunities with members. The IPAC will be co-chaired by IREM member Kristen Allessi, ARM®, Regional Property Manager with Draper and Kramer in Chicago, and Industry Partner Tim Farmer, Service Sales Manager at United States Alliance Fire Protection.

“As an ARM® and a Chicago Chapter Member, it is important for me to utilize and seek out IREM industry Partners that I know hold the same values and commitment to the real estate community,” Allessi said. “The Industry Partner program provides its members and partners opportunities to network and create lasting vendor relationships. Our creation of IPAC is to continue this connection and reinvigorate the program to ensure our partners and members for the years to come.”

Farmer shared these thoughts regarding the formation of IPAC: “Being an Industry Partner with IREM Chicago has allowed me to develop relationships and connections that have had a dramatic impact on my career. In today's environment, meeting people has become more of a challenge than ever before.  Whether it is with a handshake, fist bump, or zoom call, networking is the best building block for trust and a lasting relationship.  The IPAC committee's focus is to help Industry Partners better understand the value of IREM by helping navigate through the uncertain times and beyond.”

Chapter 2021 President Stephen Schimmel CPM® set a themes of Reconnect, Reengage and Reinvigorate for 2021.  Here’s Steve’s thoughts on the formation of the IPAC. “We wanted to transition that over to our Industry Partners who support our managers in everything they do.  So, we looked at our current IP program to see how we could improve upon what we already had in place.  The formation of IPAC under the leadership of Kristen Alessi ARM® and Tim Farmer of USA Fire represents the commitment to improving upon the value of our current Industry Partner program today through COVID and into the years ahead.”

Initial plans for the IPAC include revisions to the IP content on the Chapter website, enhanced social media presence, development of a blog and revised sponsorship opportunities.

To learn more about the IREM Chicago Industry Partner program, please contact Teri Lind at: [email protected].

Visit this page to view the current Industry Partner directory.