For over eight decades, the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) has been providing leadership in the industrial and office sectors. Recently, it was named a Top CRE Real Estate Brand in the annual Lipsey Top 25 Commercial Real Estate Brand Survey. Additionally, SIOR is breaking several other records as well. CEO Robert Thornburgh recently shared insight into what’s driving this reinvention process and its impact on membership with us.
Thornburgh explained that while SIOR is proud of its rich history, given today’s rapidly changing business environment they recognized a need to raise their relevance in the marketplace by futureproofing early – an effort initiated late 2019 but understandably slowed due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. This included hiring an entirely new executive leadership team who worked together with 25 dedicated members from their board of directors plus invited guests to build a five-year vision ensuring SIOR remains “the disruptor not disrupted” while continuing to reflect excellence standards for industrial and office real estate markets worldwide.
The organization faced challenges during self-reflection but adopted policy that there would be no bad ideas & everything open for discussion; key principles remain firmly intact – character integrity & expertise amongst those holding designation – yet embracing modern broker needs including exploring global market opportunities leveraging latest technology investing industry education support tools mentorship partnerships like CREW & REEC raising bar on excellence etcetera
Early wins include largest number ever new members increased 45% support from industry partners seven female Board Directors highest member retention rate 97%. Communication transformation includes added resources deeper relationships global conferences breaking mold delivering promises made vision put place actions implemented making good promises made etcetera .
