Hello,

As the end of the year rockets toward us, I stand aghast that the time has flown so quickly. Perhaps you join me in wondering if it is my age or if indeed the world seems to spin more quickly and days seem so much shorter.

So much has happened in our budding organization since our inception in June of this year. So much in so little time.

Our membership drive exceeded our best expectations from the date of our kick-off up until this time of writing. We have had interest and members from all over the US and some from Europe and Canada. I can't take credit for the success as it seems to have been driven by word of mouth, or email such as the case may be today. To all of our members, welcome. And thank you for your support and the sense of community you have added to our association. And the trust you have shown in a new enterprise such as this.

Our board seems to just materialize out of the appraisal ether. The esteemed Juan Lluria, Rick Emmett, Evin Daly, Dora Valdés-Fauli, Brenda Reichel, Joe Brady, Terry Kondralian, Alberto Barral have all added immeasurably to the success and steadfast growth of our organization. All doing so while running their own successful appraisal practices. They have proven to be true pillars of strength in IAA.

Our super star this year is of course our own Juan P. Lluria, an appraiser well known throughout the country for his love of, and expertise in, fine art and antique French furniture. Juan single handedly planned and guided our first excursion to New York City in October of this year, the full details of which may be found on our home page. If you missed it, be assured that you missed part of life. Juan brought together a collection of antique French furniture never before seen in one place and perhaps never to be seen again. All in the exquisite care of Mr. Thierry Millerand, the attendees spent a breathtaking two days in their company.

In October I handed the reigns of the role of the President of IAA over to Mr. Lluria. I have become the Chairman and will be working with Juan and Evin Daly, our Executive Director, as we move the IAA forward to new levels in 2008. Our board and members have all shared their enthusiasm and energy for great leaps forward in the New Year. Watch for announcements.

My best wishes to you all for 2008,

Oscar A. Acosta
Chairman.
oacosta@iappai.com
 

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I have many Post-its on my computer screen reminding me to get a new newsletter up and today I locked my office door and turned off my phone (on vibrate…just in case) and sat down to write an update.

Where to start? IAA has a trip to New York coming up on October 15 and 16 - all of the details are on the top of the menu to the left and I believe there are very few people in the appraisal business who haven't received at least three emails about this. Juan P. Lluria, our new President, put this professional study and lecture series together and will be leading the group for those two unique days in New York city. We had a terrific response to the trip offer and I will update this page with pictures and stories towards the end of the month.

Juan Lluria agreed to take the position of President after much pressure on the board's part in September. Juan has a very successful and busy appraisal practice in Coral Gables, so busy in fact that I have to make an appointment to speak to him at any length. He is heading up of educational department. Watch this site for upcoming educational opportunities.

Due to many enquiries we added a new type of International Appraisers Association membership. This $199 membership is for non-appraisers who want to say in the loop about our many areas of expertise, keep apprised of changes and updates in legislation and regulation, and to be on the inside track where educational opportunities arise. We are very pleased with the response and so are the members who have signed up. I have noticed that some of the new members see it as easy - and free - access to our knowledge as we are now just a phone call away but we'll slay that dragon, or at least tame it, another day.

To those coming on the trip to New York, we're looking forward to meeting and seeing you there. To anyone who has missed this fantastic opportunity let me console you with the assurance that there is another trip in the works, except this time it involves a passport for a trip to Europe. More soon.

Professionally yours,

Oscar A. Acosta
Chairman
oacosta@iappai.com
 

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Hello,

A month ago our Board was debating how we would fill our memberships. The idea arose of offering a Charter Membership for the first 100 signs-ups. This Charter Membership brings with it a unique certificate providing the member with a lifelong memento and a special place in the annals of the IAA.

I'm glad to announce that we're single digits away from giving away the last Certificates of this Charter Membership as our sign-ups exploded after IAA's launch at the end of June. Welcome to our Charter Members and welcome to our new members!

The IAA website is a work in progress. New information is added weekly, sometimes daily. You will notice that our Board of Advisors has grown with some familiar names. All are experts and specialists who will guide this new Association forward. The IAA is very grateful for their help and dedication to seeing that we meet our goals of helping and interacting with our members. If you would like to apply for a Board position or know of someone, please email me and tell me who they are and why they would benefit IAA. Email me at oacosta@iappai.com

The IAA education department is working on a fall schedule of classes and symposia. Keep a watch on the site for details. Our partnership with AppNett is providing new members with cost-effective resources and I encourage you to investigate their site at www.appnett.com

The IAA will be launching the IAA ACTIVE member database shortly. This database is a free service for members that can be searched by other members or the public. Searches will be by name, specialty, geographical location, and availability. There is absolutely no charge for this service and it will be updated regularly. IAA's goal is to stir the pot of business development for all involved, which benefits our members and their clients. We are considering an ACTIVE Lite for non-members with basic information. More on that as we move forward.

In our Press Section you will see that our co-founder Juan P. Lluria has been busy lecturing on his passion of French 18th Century Royalty. Be sure to read his latest release.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Please email me at oacosta@iappai.com.

Professionally yours,

Oscar Acosta
Chairman

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President's Welcome

Hello and welcome.

My name is Oscar Acosta and I am the President of the International Appraisers Association (IAA). This the first issue of our newsletter for our new personal property association based in Miami, Florida.

The IAA has been in the making for some time. The idea for the IAA came about last year as a result of meeting with a cross section of personal property appraisers around the country. We met in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Chicago, San Diego, San Francisco and New York. The end result of our conversations was the same. There was and is a need for an association that effectively represents the members to their clients, industry and public. Further there is a need for a broad base of operating resources for members.

I have great respect for the pillars of our industry, the ISA, ASA and the AAA. In fact a number of our board members are members of these fine organizations. The IAA is another spoke on the wheel of appraising that will, I believe, consolidate all of the collective efforts of all of the associations. That is my goal and I start this journey with an invitation to all appraisers to join the IAA and see what we have to offer. If you like us, stay with us. You will soon see the difference that we offer as we reflect your needs and interests. I invite your input and interaction.

Stay with your current association as well. We are after all a small community and the more we do to help each other the better.

The IAA has a number of assets that I intend to use to get our industry to the forefront of our clients attention. More on these as time progresses.

Watch this space to see articles about ways you can help your business grow, PR and advertising tips, articles about specialized areas of appraisal, information on upcoming training both with our association and others. And much more.

If you would like to contribute an article or letter please send your ideas to me at iaanews@iappai.com. If published you may add this to your resume as our newsletter will be published for worldwide access. I am open to your comments and suggestions.

Welcome to our new members. Welcome also to those who are thinking about joining us. Joining is easy, just click the Join Now button above.

Professionally yours,

Oscar Acosta
Chairman