Property Management Certifications & Educational Resources: Part III

Part III of Buildium’s Certifications and Educational Resources overview takes a look at the education programs of Building Owners and Managers Institute International (BOMI) and Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA).

Although they are two distinct entities, in addition to its own webinars and seminars trade association BOMA also provides access to partner education company BOMI’s educational programs and certifications. Both of these companies have their fingers on the pulse of real estate and rental market education. Their offerings can be taken at regional offices, online, or over the phone at teleconference seminars. In addition to offering more traditional certification, BOMA also provides a wide variety of webinars and seminars that address up-to-the-minute industry issues. For example, with the current economy in mind, BOMA recently conducted a webinar on “Recognizing and Managing Tenant Financial Distress” and have an upcoming webinar on “Keeping Tenants Happy in a Depressed Economy.”

BOMI International offers more traditional certification courses which include:

• Real Property Administrator (RPA®)
• Facilities Management Administrator (FMA®)
• Systems Maintenance Administrator (SMA®)
• Property Management Financial Proficiency (PMFP)
• Property Administrator (PAC)
• Building Systems Maintenance (SMC)

BOMA offers some great practical energy conservation seminars as part of their BOMA Energy Efficiency Program (BEEP®). BEEP® offers property managers a great way to get ahead of the green curve and market themselves as forward-thinking professionals, authoritative in energy conservation matters. This is not to mention the fact that course attendees will learn how to save money by making their properties more energy efficient.

BOMA also hosts an annual international conference (this year’s is in Philadelphia from June 28-June 30). Although this is not a means of certification, it is a great way to obtain a lot of information quickly, with more than 40 sessions over the course of two days.