CCIM and IREM to hold Success Series: Featured speakers are Levine and Barry

The CCIM and IREM Success Series 2008, to be held Oct. 17-18 at the Hilton Chicago will provide attendees with an array of compelling education programs, plus time to interact with industry colleagues and negotiate new business deals. It is the only industry event designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of commercial real estate practitioners and to give real estate managers and commercial brokers the opportunity to network, share best practices and learn from each other. Success Series attendees will benefit from 30 sessions - presented by some 50 industry and professional speakers - on many of today's most popular and critical topics. Surviving market cycles, negotiation, capital markets, new management techniques and prevailing technology are among the many subjects to be covered. In addition, a special networking lunch will feature a presentation on geographic information system (GIS) technology, which is predicted to become one of the world's most universal and important technologies. Jack Dangermond, founder and president of ESRI, a leading designer and developer of GIS software, will discuss the critical advantages of GIS technology and how real estate professionals can leverage it to generate major business benefits. Ample opportunities will be available at the event to talk real estate with prospective business partners, cultivate new relationships and initiate deals. Feedback on outcomes from last year's Success Series shows that relationships were forged, deals were concluded, and money was made. Special tours featuring city cultural attractions plus a 1920s-style wrap party also are included in the program mix. Motivational speaker Alison Levine will keynote the Opening General Session, with humorist Dave Barry slated to keynote the closing program. Levine has survived various weather-driven disasters and pursued a career on Wall St. Born with a life-threatening heart condition that precluded most demanding physical activities, surgery changed her life - giving way to climbing mountains - and becoming the first female to lead an expedition on Mt. Everest. Levine's 20-year business career encompasses healthcare, technology and finance. Pulitzer Prize winner Barry will share his thoughts about politics, the media and the absurdities of everyday life from his unique, light-hearted perspective. His critically acclaimed weekly column ran in several hundred newspapers for over 15 years and his best-selling books - including Dave Barry Talks Back and Dave Barry's Money Secrets - are known for presenting fresh and humorous insights into serious issues. Success Series 2008 is open to all commercial real estate and allied professionals, with more than 1,200 expected to attend. For registration details and additional information, call 800-837-0706, or visit www.CCIMIREMSuccessSeries.com.