This year’s ARES Annual Meeting was an overwhelming success. We had a record turnout of over 430 registered attendees who stayed for a record number of days. We also started what I hope to be a new ARES tradition of having 4 sessions of studies that were presented exclusively in Mandarin (Thank you Tyler Yang for helping create this first-time experience at ARES!). In fact, the meeting was co-sponsored by AsRES. It truly was the most international ARES Annual Meeting we have ever had.

In addition to research studies, we also hosted a number of excellent panels, doctoral paper sessions, an Education Track, and the Appraisal Institute/CCIM Institute “Critical Issues Seminar.” Socially, the “work hard – play hard” theme was highlighted by three nights of live entertainment by John Keawe, Sonny Lim and Da Island Boiys, all North Kohala locals. Breathtaking sunsets and the finest local cuisine made this year’s meeting truly memorable.

I would like to thank those who provided me with a high degree of assistance along the way: Stacy Sirmans, last year’s Program Chair and this year’s Vice Program Chair, David Harrison. Art Schwartz (with the help of Mindy Yarling) and Steve Pyhrr (with the help of Melissa Miller) have done an incredible job again. Even though I already knew they are work horses, I did not fully appreciate exactly how much they do for ARES throughout the year. Without their guidance, ARES meetings would not come together. 

I would like to thank Elaine Worzala who once again led our doctoral sessions, Tom Geurts who is in charge of the Education Track, and Tyler Yang who has done a tremendous job organizing the 4 sessions presented in Mandarin. Diane Quarles did a tremendous amount of the behind the scenes work for ARES all year around. And for our on-line and printed program, Evelyn Gosnell and Cathy Lynn, respectively, are invaluable. 

 
Mahalo!
 
Michael J. Seiler
Program Chair, 2013