President's Message

04/22/22

First, please join me in congratulating our newly designated members:

Adam Cline, MAI

Alan R. Geerdes, MAI, AI-GRS

Lauren Michelle Trilling, MAI

All your hard work has paid off and your designations will pay dividends for many years to come. Congratulations! In January we kicked off the year with a fantastic installation dinner. It was good to reconnect with friends, old and new. Thank you, Sarah, for organizing such a wonderful evening! And Thanks Dave Binz for an easy and painless transition. As I stated that night, this year's theme will be let's get together and network. Hopefully the worst of the pandemic is over, and conditions seem to be improving.

We have many social events planned this year. The first one is Whirlyball on May 4. Spots are filling fast. Please sign up! More events to follow. We also have our first luncheon/chapter meeting scheduled for March 24 with Cook County Assessor, Fritz Kaegi. The last time he spoke for us, it was very informative. You have to eat lunch anyway, so why not come out, network, learn something and get credits while you're at it?!

We also have our first homegrown seminar planned for April 20. The Valuation of Cannabis Facilities & Businesses seminar will delve into the weeds of a unique and interesting topic exploring the legal, real, personal, and intangible considerations in this budding industry. I believe that homegrown seminars are crucial to our survival and identity as a chapter. If you have ever had an interest in developing a seminar for the Chapter, please let me know. It's a painless and very rewarding experience.

We also have the Midwest Easement Seminar coming up in Rockford on May 12th. Another interesting topic that many could benefit from. Of course, we will be offering our usual assortment of classes including the USPAP update and qualifying and designation classes. I am humbled and honored to serve as Chicago Chapter President in 2022. We want to continue to build on the past successes of my predecessors. My line is always open to suggestions. Thanks, and let's have a great year!

Bruce