On the following pages you'll learn what the hottest topics in real estate education are and some new ideas for financing your offerings. Target specialty areas to attract new students. Both sold-out classes held 80 students. Marketing to commercial real estate practitioners was made easy by the association's relationship with the local CCIM chapter. The board subsidizes the courses to make them affordable for members but seeks sponsorships and partnerships with the local CCIM and other commercial groups and organizations.
Local groups are also a rich source of knowledgeable speakers who'll work for free.
Offer incentives, package deals, and discounts to bulk up the bottom line. The program is not only a cost saver for members but also a deal for the association, since students register once a year, which saves on administration time and effort, and the convenience of the whole program attracts more students. Issue certificates and offer designations that students can boast of in their self-promotion. The course is owned by a California company, which comes in and teaches the class and splits the profits with the association, which means the association can spend more on marketing the program as a member benefit and spend nothing on course materials, speakers, or administrative tasks such as registration and grading exams. The CIPS Institute will attract students from around the country, says Morris, increasing the association's profit margin on the program.