I’m excited to share that the Appraisal Institute has chosen an outstanding keynote speaker for its 2018 Annual Conference! Here’s more about that, and other news, from the past month.

Mountain Climber, Author to Keynote AI Annual Conference

Alison Levine, a best-selling author and mountain climber focused on leading teams in extreme environments, will be the keynote speaker at the Appraisal Institute Annual Conference on July 30-Aug. 1 at the JW Marriott in Nashville, Tennessee.

Levine, the team captain of the first American Women’s Everest Expedition, asserts that the principles that apply to the world of extreme adventure also apply to demanding business environments. Having skied across the Arctic Circle to the geographic North Pole, her work demonstrates how progress can be made going backward, why egos are a good thing and how complacency can kill you.

I hope to see you at the AI Annual Conference, which will feature informative speakers, extensive opportunities for networking, continuing education (with the chance to earn Appraisal Institute and state continuing education credit), an awards ceremony, vendor exhibits and plenty of opportunities to explore Nashville.

Learn more about the AI Annual Conference. Registration opens in late March.

AI Joins Coalition Opposing Bank’s Waiver Request

As part of its ongoing advocacy efforts, the Appraisal Institute has joined a coalition of more than 20 organizations opposed to TriStar Bank’s request for a temporary waiver from appraiser certification requirements.

In a Feb. 13 letter to the Appraisal Subcommittee, the coalition urged that the request be rejected for not satisfying the requirements established under ASC regulations. The letter pointed out that, contrary to TriStar’s initial letter, there is a healthy supply of commercial appraisers throughout Tennessee, including in the four counties cited in the bank’s letter.

Separately, the coalition in a Feb. 8 letter urged the ASC to provide greater transparency in this matter by publishing the TriStar Bank response letter that elaborates on its initial request.

Appraisal Institute Accepting Nominations for 2 Awards

The Appraisal Institute is accepting nominations for the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Outstanding Service Award – two ways AI recognizes some of its brightest, most committed and deserving professionals.

Nominations for both annual awards are due May 25. The awards will be presented at the Appraisal Institute’s 2018 Annual Conference July 30-Aug. 1 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Lifetime Achievement: The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an AI professional who best demonstrates high ethical standards; contributed to the Appraisal Institute at the chapter, regional, national and/or international level(s); provided service to his or her community; and contributed to the appraisal profession. A minimum of 20 years of service is recommended to be eligible for this award.

Outstanding Service: The Outstanding Service Award is presented to an AI professional who has contributed ideas, service hours and dedication to ensure a specific program or effort is implemented at either the chapter, region, national and/or international level(s). This AI professional must be instrumental to the success of the program or effort, which also must be far enough along to measure and provide proof of success. Additionally, the program or effort must be beneficial to chapters, regions, national and international Designated Members, Candidates for Designation, Affiliates, Practicing Affiliates and/or the profession.

Find more information on the awards and the nomination process.

Additionally, nominations are due March 30 for the Y.T. and Louise Lee Lum Award, which recognizes individuals who have made distinguished contributions to the valuation profession during the immediate preceding year. Learn more.

Other News Around AI

And here’s some additional important news from the Appraisal Institute:

• Last year, the Appraisal Institute and its professionals appeared in nearly 2,600 stories that ran in almost 700 unique media outlets and which were potentially read, seen or heard more than 2.3 billion times … with a value of nearly $4.5 million (according to vendor’s proprietary formula).
  • View a 3:39-minute video of AI’s July-December 2017 media coverage highlights on the Appraisal Institute’s YouTube channel.

• The Appraisal Institute continues to grow its social media presence. Be sure to follow AI on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.