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ICSC at a glance

ICSC Education

ICSC offers three major domestic programs, six international schools and several specialized education seminars. Drawing on the expertise of over 100 volunteer faculty, the ICSC education platform has now moved online with its e-distance learning program (see story).

Separate from but related to the ICSC educational initiative is the professional recognition program, which bestows industry certification upon members in the form of the CSM (Certified Shopping Center Manager), CMD (Certified Marketing Director) and CLS (Certified Leasing Specialist) designations, as well as a senior-level status for the CSM and CMD designations. International certification is offered through the ASM (Accredited Shopping Center Manager) and AMD (Accredited Marketing Director) designations.

Back to school

The University of Shopping Centers is held once a year and offers advanced studies in the field of shopping center education. Ten individual learning disciplines, 60 classes and more than 80 faculty volunteers make this the most extensive educational program offered by ICSC. In March the University of Shopping Centers made its home on the campus of The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, with a record 624 students in attendance. It will return to the Wharton campus on March 7-9. Students can enroll for classes in asset management; retailing; open-air centers; finance and accounting; development and design; law; operations and marketing; leasing; economic development and financial analysis.

The John T. Riordan School for Professional Development, named after ICSC’s former president, has taught an estimated 35,000 students since its inception in the early 1960s. The School for Professional Development is held twice a year in East Lansing, Mich., and Scottsdale, Ariz. The East Lansing event will be held Aug. 15-20, and the next Scottsdale school is scheduled for April 3-8. With nearly 50 classes offered on two levels in management, marketing and leasing, this and other Riordan schools cater both to new shopping center professionals and the more seasoned pros looking for advanced knowledge and a primer for the CSM, CMD and CLS exams. 2005 will also bring a new curriculum reflecting recent changes in the industry.

Around the globe

The John T. Riordan name now extends to five international schools in Asia, Central America, Russia, South America and the United Arab Emirates. In addition, ICSC offers the European Retail Property School as well as the John T. Riordan School for Professional Development, Québec. The schools rely on a volunteer faculty. A new curriculum was introduced in 2004 with the school in Dubai. Among the schools still to open are the South American school in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Oct. 18-22 and the school in Sainte-Foy, Québec, on Oct. 25-29.

For the layman

With the expansion of public ownership within the industry, ICSC has created several seminars on finance and law. “Finance for Non-Financial Professionals” is a two-day, six-class seminar designed to teach shopping center financial fundamentals to management, marketing and leasing professionals as well as retailers and others working in related fields. Attended by over 1,000 members and nonmembers since its inception, the seminar has proved to be a popular addition and will next be offered Oct. 13-14 at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport.

“Law for Non-Lawyers,” which makes shopping center legal studies understandable for those who are not directly responsible for legal issues but who must deal with it on an ongoing basis. The next class will be held Oct. 12-13 at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport.

Are you certified?

Certification exams are offered every year in conjunction with ICSC meetings. To date, more than 6,000 individuals have earned an ICSC certification. To familiarize candidates with the exam structures and test examinees’ readiness, ICSC has developed an e-practice test for the CSM, CMD and CLS programs. These are available free to ICSC members on our Web site. ICSC also gives candidates the opportunity to attend test-review courses. The next series of courses will be held Aug. 8 at the Florida Conference and Aug. 15 at the John T. Riordan School for Professional Development in Michigan.

The Oscars

ICSC award programs are offered for shopping center design, development, marketing and merchandising. MAXIs have been given every year since 1972 for shopping center marketing programs. The 2004 MAXI Awards will be presented Sept. 29 at the Fall Conference, in San Antonio. ICSC’s International Design & Development Awards program will be held Dec. 9 at the CenterBuild Conference in Phoenix.

Who we are

Gregg A. McCort, SCMD, the director of education for ICSC, oversees all domestic and international education programs. JoAnn Laut, the senior manager of professional recognition, administers all accreditation and award programs. Madison Gross is senior manager of education. Sandra Recio is an educational program administrator. Janelle Dotts is a professional development coordinator and assists in the administration of department programs. The education and professional-recognition areas are among the areas of responsibility overseen by Rudolph E. Milian, SCMD, SCSM, senior staff vice president for professional development.