Networking, Education, Technology... Remember the tagline, "It's not your father's Buick"? I was reminded of that expression when I recently spoke with Pius Leung, president of the CCIM Institute about the new CCIM Partners program.

CCIM is seeking to strengthen the network of relationships that enables its individual members to provide multiple services across multiple markets. That's a trend that Leung, who represents international investors from his Houston-based firm, Charter Equity, strongly supports, as the industry moves from deal making to ongoing service.

Each "Partner" has a web presence to better share information with other members and the public. So for example, if you go to CCIM Partners, click "Find a CCIM Professional" and search the Cincinnati market, you'll find eleven members listed.

Clicking a member's name on this list points you to further information -- a Resume, Completed Transactions, References and Available Properties. Because the system is new, most members have not yet populated their sites. But you can see how the system can promote collaboration over time.

Of course, personal connections form the foundation of any real estate organization, so CCIM Partners will host networking events in four cities this year -- Chicago (June 2-3), Orlando, FL (June 17-18), Annapolis, MD (June 23-24), and Austin, TX (June 30 - July 1). Sounds like a plan.

--Peter Pike