International Advisory Board
The real estate program and the Klump Center for Real Estate benefits from a powerful group of industry supporters. The International Advisory Board provides counsel, curriculum advice, mentorships, industry insights and career opportunities. This invitation-only board commits significant resources to support the academic and co-curricular work of the Klump Center.
International Advisory Board Committees
The primary objectives of the Annual Forum Committee are to guide in the development of a high-level topical event, promote the event and lead in the fundraising effort around the event for the benefit of the Klump Center’s programs and activities. The primary objectives of the Annual Forum Committee are to guide in the development of a high-level topical event, promote the event and lead in the fundraising effort around the event for the benefit of the Klump Center’s programs and activities.
The Annual Forum is one of the largest single sources of the Center’s funding, often contributing over 25% of the budget revenue. Secondary goals for the Forum Committee include: helping establish the Klump Center for Real Estate as a thought leader in commercial real estate by attracting dynamic speakers to the conference; providing exceptional educational content; showcasing 1st and 2nd year MBA students, MS students, and undergraduates and their accomplishments; and providing a premier networking opportunity for the Colorado real estate community.
The Committee members work collaboratively and with Center staff to develop a half-day program, identifying and recruiting speakers and panelists from across the country, fundraising, marketing the event, and executing on the logistics (venue, date, food and beverage, AV, etc.). The Annual Forum is a top commercial real estate conference for industry professionals in the metro Denver region.
The Education Committee serves as a conduit to the industry, connecting potential adjuncts/lecturers to the Center. They also link industry insights into the curriculum and teaching topics for the real estate program at Leeds. The Committee provides four important services for real estate faculty and students:
- Research and promote top real estate industry individuals who would be qualified to teach our students at the undergraduate, MS, and MBA levels.
- Informally audit courses in the graduate real estate curriculum (both real estate courses in the Leeds School of Business and civil engineering courses in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences) by sitting in a class and reviewing the course material (including the course syllabus). Audits are to be performed on an annual basis.
- Review proposals for new courses when received (in the past ten years, eight courses have been added from Education Committee recommendations).
- Provide materials used in case studies developed by faculty to ensure students receive up-to-date information on real estate industry best practices.
The Golf Committee has two primary objectives: first, produce a fun golf tournament for members and invited guests, and second, raise money for the CU Real Estate Council. Just like the Annual Forum, Council members look forward to the annual golf tournament as a way to network and connect with friends and other Council associates at one of metro Denver’s desirable golf establishments, while being challenged by course design and layout. This event has historically sold out. Participants enjoy several registration gifts, full box lunch, drink tickets, tee prizes, on-course frivolity, and a delicious plated dinner and awards ceremony. The Golf Tournament is responsible for contributing a modest portion to the Council’s budgeted annual revenue.
The Nominating and Governance Committee of the IAB regularly reviews the composition of the IAB to ensure an optimal mix of member backgrounds representing diverse business areas, property sectors and geographic regions and oversees the governance with regard to the IAB. The Committee is responsible for soliciting new members to join the Board, reviewing candidate qualifications and assessing candidate’s complementary contribution to the overall membership. The Nominating Committee, in conjunction with the Executive Director, extend official invitations to join the Board.
The Committee’s mission is to expand the Center’s engagement with international real estate professionals who operate and/or reside outside of the U.S. Activities include identifying potential IAB members; engaging CU alumni who are working either in the international market or outside of the United States; working to develop internships and career paths; and assisting in hosting student treks. The goals from the committee’s effort include expanding career opportunities for Klump Center graduates and alumni, bringing global perspectives to CUREC and boosting the international recognition and reputation of the Klump Center and Leeds.
The Internship and Placement Committee offers graduate real estate students assistance in finding summer internships and permanent placement opportunities. The Committee has a near-perfect record in placing its students. Not surprisingly, many MBA graduates express that the Center’s internship and placement program was a critical factor in deciding to apply to the CU Real Estate Program.
The Research Committee of the IAB was created to encourage and support real estate research activities undertaken at Leeds and to sponsor White Papers on behalf of the IAB and the Center. Such White Papers would likely fall outside the scope of the more traditional academic research process. The committee’s role is to identify critical areas of needed study for immediate practical application to the industry and to provide industry perspectives on academic papers as requested. The committee is also charged with aggregating resources which may be required for such undertakings.
The Real Estate Network actively engages students and alumni through a variety of events, activities, and programs. The committee leverages the collective expertise and experience of recent alums to better position members as they navigate the first decade of their professional careers. By offering value-add experiences and building meaningful relationships the committee aims to foster greater post-graduation engagement with the Klump Center for Real Estate.
The committee has three sub-committees: Member Engagement, Sponsorship & Events, and Education & Philanthropy. These sub-committees organize a recent-alum focused membership drive, run a post-graduation mentorship program, lead project tours and panel discussions on new development projects, host education sessions on relevant industry topics, offer fun networking events such as happy hours and ski days, and assist in creating geographical groups where there are high concentrations of alumni to do the same. The Committee also seeks to work with area high schools to educate students on the range of real estate careers that are available.