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It’s tough sailing for industry associations. Tight times always force some re-assignment of precious corporate capital, a direct threat to conference attendance and even membership, and given the severity of this slump it certainly is no different now. But the challenges extend far beyond the choice of which associations to keep and which to shuck. The very industry these groups represent is in the midst of a major redefinition, with changing tenant/owner relationships, a dearth of deals in most markets and a huge question mark hanging over the timing of a transaction-renewing recovery.

The leadership of the Washington, DC-based Society of Industrial and Office Realtors isn’t passive in its position on these challenges.  In fact, the group, 3,000-plus-members strong, has mounted a multi-tiered strategy to keep its roster of professionals engaged; to offer content in its semi-annual world conferences, webinars and market reports that is pertinent to the struggles they are facing; and to grow its base of members. Yet, despite troubling times, SIOR holds firm to the strict applications process incoming members must face, never, as one of its leaders puts it, “sacrificing quality for quantity.”

As Lynn Reich sees it, there are two primary challenges members face today. The current SIOR president puts the dearth of deals at the top of the list. “The deals that are getting done are more difficult to complete and take more time,” she notes. 

Next is the lingering effects of the economic downturn. “When is it going to improve and what areas will provide the first opportunities for SIORs and their clients?” she asks. Faced with these challenges, Reich—and in fact the entire leadership of the association—asks: “How do we keep the association relevant?”