Commercial Broker Quarterly: Summer 2003 - GWCAR, Greater Washington Commercial Association of REALTORS(R)

CBQ >> Summer 2003 Issue

Remarks from the President

As we approach the end of summer, I thought it would be helpful to highlight some of the accomplishments of GWCAR... of that there are many. I will also provide some answers to a question that I am often asked. Why should I join GWCAR and what are the benefits of membership? Some of our recent accomplishments include:

GWCAR's REALTOR^® of the Year, Phillip S. Thomas Jr. of CarrAmerica, has also been named WDCAR REALTOR^® of the Year. He will receive the award at WDCAR's Annual Meeting & 90th Anniversary Party in November.
Former GWCAR President Scott Johnston will be the 2004 WDCAR President and has been appointed to NAR's Commercial Market Research Committee and will remain in his position on the REALTORS^® Commercial Alliance Committee.
Legislatively, Mary Rudolph and Meredith Weisel have worked tirelessly to defeat a slew of bills that were aimed at the commercial real estate community. In DC, the Master Business Registration program was altered to exclude real estate agents and brokers as opposed to repeal, which was the best solution to the District's antiquated 1908 law. Also, before DC's July Legislative Session was over GWCAR was already at work quashing the notion of making the "temporary" recordation taxes permanent, which would be disingenuous to the Mayor's plan of bringing a half-million people to the city and stimulating further commercial activity.
GWCAR garnered more credibility in the press for its Market Wrap-Up that appears in Commercial Broker Quarterly. These statistics are the only publicly-released commercial market statistics for the region and are now considered the official stats due to the input of research experts that compile them.
Unlike many membership-based organizations recently, GWCAR is in a healthy financial state and membership is at its highest level in GWCAR history, growing 15 percent in the past year.

OK, enough about us. What about you? In other words, what can we do for you, or, what benefits do you receive for membership?

Representation GWCAR's Public Policy staff work closely with national, state and municipal leaders to protect your interests. Your dues help support these lobbying efforts.
Annual Events include the Commercial Awards Dinner, RealTOUR, EXPO, State of the Market and Golf Outing.
CoStar Members enjoy free training for CoStar products and member-exclusive access to CoStar's new property database.
Breakfast Meetings Breakfasts address timely industry topics and are a chance to network.
Continuing Education Members get a 40% discount for classes necessary for license renewal.
Log on to www.gwcar.org for coverage of the latest news and public policy efforts, to access our online member directory and register for events & get a 10% discount.
Professional Standards GWCAR strives for professionalism and will guide you through ethics enforcement, mediation and arbitration.
New Broker Sales Training Seminars/discussion groups are offered to firms with new agents.
Publications Members receive Commercial Broker Quarterly & the Year-End Market Report and a discount on the Standard Method of Measurement.
REAP GWCAR is proud to participate in the Real Estate Apprenticeship Program, an internship program for minorities.

I am proud to be part of such an influential, vibrant and growing organization. Remember, membership comes with privileges but not without obligations, and I challenge each of you to become involved to make GWCAR better for all of its members in the future.

W. David Bevirt
2003 President