Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/622612
I DA U N I V E R S A L J a n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2 0 1 6 7 PRESIDENT'S POST Bob Creighton IDA President 2015-17 O n December 16, 2015, the United States Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the fi rst time since 2006 - nine years ago. e benchmark rate was increased a quarter point to between 0.25 percent and 0.5 percent. e interest rate hike came at a time when the United States economy is showing signs of improvement. is will have some impact for us north of the border in Canada, possibly with higher fi xed mortgage rates. However, our economy is not doing as well as our southern neighbors. We can only hope that the improve- ment in the U.S. will spill across the border and help us out. e Miami convention proved to be a very good one for IDA. Our numbers have come in positively, as expected, with almost 400 attendees contrib- uting to the overall profi tability. e 2016 convention will be held in Long Beach, California, at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach on October 26-29. Save the date, as we have already pre-sold 24 booths. is warm water location will be a great attraction, and coupled with the United States' improving economy, it should be a terrifi c convention. IDA had a very good year last year, signing up 26 new members. e exciting part is that they were from 11 diff erent countries, confi rming that we are truly a global organization. Please take time to read the centerfold of the Universal, where we detail all new members and potential strategic partners. Membership is the key to our organization's continued success. e recruitment of new members should not be le to just the IDA offi ce or the board members. I believe it is a responsibility all of us should embrace. We all have a colleague in our industry that should be a member of IDA. Do not be afraid to talk to them and discuss the benefi ts of IDA. If someone is interested, contact the IDA offi ce and let them take over, as they are very good at what they do. Your elected board will be meeting in April in Dallas, Texas, and membership will be on top of the list of agenda items. As your President, I will be sharing more in future editions of the Universal on the progress of our member- ship committee. Also, it is my job to challenge you, as members, to assist in membership growth. Yours in IDA, Bob Creighton Hello IDA Members