Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Association

What Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Association does

The Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Association (CREBA), founded in 1982, is a nonprofit trade association headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland that serves approximately 500 commercial real estate professionals annually in the Greater Washington, DC metropolitan area. Its membership is composed of roughly 75% licensed brokers and 25% affiliate members (attorneys, lenders, construction, and service providers), and it is governed by a board drawn from senior executives at major CRE firms including CBRE, JLL, Colliers, Cushman & Wakefield, BXP, JBG SMITH, and Newmark. CREBA is the only real estate association in the DC region specifically focused on the brokerage community, positioning peer recognition and senior-leader access as its core value proposition.

CREBA's product surface is built around a portfolio of recurring programs rather than a software platform: membership tiers (Licensed Broker over/under 35, Affiliate, Analyst/Research/Marketing, Student), the CREBA Classroom educational series, First Look exclusive development previews, the Breakfast of Champions mentor/mentee series, a 9–12 month Mentorship Program, the Annual Awards Competition (with Multi-Million Dollar Clubs Top 10s and named leadership awards), the Hall of Fame, and social/networking events including Night at the Shore and the Annual Golf Tournament. Technology is limited to a Wix-hosted public site and a NetForum Pro-based member portal (portal.creba.org) used for event registration and membership management.

The business model relies on three recurring revenue streams: annual membership dues, tiered corporate sponsorships (Patron $4,000 to Platinum $15,500, with 12 Platinum and 11 Gold sponsors in 2026), and event ticket/registration fees. CREBA runs an estimated 10–15 events per year, with the majority free to members, and markets itself primarily through event-driven engagement, social media, and email newsletters rather than paid acquisition.

Name

Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Association

Legal name

Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Association of Greater Washington, DC

Website

https://creba.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CREBA is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1982 serving roughly 500 commercial real estate brokers and affiliate professionals annually in the Greater Washington, DC area, delivering education, networking events, mentorship, and industry awards via membership dues, corporate sponsorships, and event revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Silver Spring

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from approximately 500 members including licensed brokers and affiliate members. Dues are prorated for new members and vary by member category (Licensed Broker over 35, Licensed Broker 35 and under, Affiliate, Analyst/Research/Marketing Professional, Student).
2. Annual Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorship program with five tiers: Platinum ($15,500/year), Gold ($12,500/year), Silver ($9,500/year), Bronze ($7,000/year), and Patron ($4,000/year). Sponsors receive branding, training, exposure, and networking benefits at CREBA events throughout the year.
3. Event Tickets and Registrations: Revenue from event participation including the Annual Awards Dinner (tickets and tables), golf tournament, and paid educational sessions. Many events are free for members, with paid options for non-members ($75 for Panel: Transacting in 2026).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CREBA is a nonprofit trade association that provides annual membership, educational programming, networking events, mentorship, and industry recognition services to approximately 500 commercial real estate brokers and affiliate professionals in the Greater Washington, DC area. Its core offerings are delivered through membership tiers, recurring events (CREBA Classroom, First Look Series, Breakfast of Champions, Night at the Shore, Annual Golf Outing), a 9–12 month Mentorship Program, and the Annual Awards Competition and Hall of Fame.

Product overview

CREBA operates as a membership-based professional association for commercial real estate brokers, offering a unified platform of programs rather than a software product. The core offering consists of membership access to educational programming (CREBA Classroom), exclusive development previews (First Look Series), career mentorship (Mentorship Program), industry recognition (Annual Awards and Hall of Fame), and networking events (Golf Tournament, Night at the Shore, Breakfast of Champions). The organization serves approximately 500 members annually, primarily licensed brokers and affiliate professionals in the Greater Washington, DC area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CREBA Membership Annual professional membership program for commercial real estate brokers and affiliate professionals in the Greater Washington, DC area, providing access to education, networking events, the mentorship program, and industry recognition. Membership categories include Licensed Broker over 35, Licensed Broker 35 and under, Affiliate (non-licensed), Analyst/Research/Marketing Professional, and Student, with dues prorated for new members.
• CREBA Classroom Members-only educational event series featuring in-depth lectures, presentations, and panel discussions on timely commercial real estate topics throughout the year.
• First Look Series Members-only exclusive preview events that showcase new commercial real estate development projects in the DC metro area, free for members.
• Breakfast of Champions Series Free networking event series featuring veteran brokers sharing career experiences, targeted at members under 35 years old for mentor and mentee discussions.
• CREBA Mentorship Program 9–12 month structured mentorship program that pairs 2–3 members with a senior mentor in the Washington, DC commercial real estate community, open exclusively to members in brokerage.
• CREBA Annual Awards Competition Annual competition recognizing remarkable sales and leasing performance among CREBA members, including Individual Recognition Awards, Multi-Million Dollar Clubs Top 10s, and special leadership awards such as the Joseph Stettinius Jr. Leadership Award, the Brendan McCarthy Memorial Award, the James L. Eichberg Broker of the Year Award, and the Rising Star Award.
• Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Hall of Fame Recognition program honoring retired commercial real estate professionals who have shaped the industry, selected by the CREBA President's Council based on years in industry, contributions to the DC area community, mentorship, significant transactions and developments, and qualities of congeniality, fairness, and ethical conduct.
• Annual Golf Tournament Annual golf outing providing networking opportunities for CREBA members, held at Lakewood Country Club in Rockville, MD.
• Night at the Shore Annual summer kickoff networking party for CREBA members.
• Annual Awards Dinner Annual awards dinner held at the Ritz-Carlton Washington DC, where CREBA presents the Annual Awards Competition results and recognizes member achievement.
• CREBA Corporate Sponsorship Program Annual corporate sponsorship program with five tiers (Platinum $15,500, Gold $12,500, Silver $9,500, Bronze $7,000, Patron $4,000), offering sponsors branding, training, networking, First-Look event hosting, mentorship program speaker opportunities, awards dinner presentation slots, and committee participation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500 members served annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

35 partnerships are on record, tiered platinum, minor, gold, silver and patron.

• Manulife & PimcoplatinumGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Manulife and Pimco are listed as sponsors for the Panel: Transacting in 2026 event featuring JLL's Evan Behr, Stream's Lou Christopher, BXP's Jake Stroman, and FarmViewVentures' John Wolf. The event is held at Manulife & Pimco property (1100 New York Ave., NW).
• Ritz-Carlton Washington DCminorOthers · 1 January 2026Venue host for the CREBA Annual Awards Dinner scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
• Lakewood Country ClubminorOthers · 1 January 2026Venue host for the CREBA Annual Golf Outing scheduled for Monday, May 4, 2026 in Rockville, MD.
• BXPplatinumGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Platinum sponsor for 2026. One of the premier commercial real estate companies (formerly Boston Properties) and a leading sponsor of CREBA events.
• ColliersplatinumGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Platinum sponsor for 2026. Global commercial real estate services and investment firm with significant presence in DC market.
• Carr PropertiesplatinumGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Platinum sponsor for 2026. DC-based real estate investment and development company.
• JBG SMITHplatinumGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Platinum sponsor for 2026. Leading DC-focused REIT and real estate company.
• Newmark (NMRK)platinumGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Platinum sponsor for 2026. Global commercial real estate advisory firm.
• FarmView VenturesplatinumGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Platinum sponsor for 2026. Real estate investment and development firm.
• Stream Realty PartnersplatinumGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Platinum sponsor for 2026. Full-service commercial real estate firm with DC Metro presence.
• DFS ConstructionplatinumGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Platinum sponsor for 2026. Construction services provider.
• Rand Investment GroupplatinumGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Platinum sponsor for 2026. Real estate investment and development company.
• Washington WorkplaceplatinumGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Platinum sponsor for 2026. Office furniture and workplace solutions provider.
• CBREgoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold sponsor for 2026. World's largest commercial real estate services firm.
• Brookfield PropertiesgoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold sponsor for 2026. Global alternative asset management company with significant real estate holdings.
• Blake Real EstategoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold sponsor for 2026. DC-focused real estate investment and development company.
• Beacon CapitalgoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold sponsor for 2026. Real estate investment firm.
• CoStar GroupgoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold sponsor for 2026. Leading provider of commercial real estate information and analytics.
• Cushman & WakefieldgoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold sponsor for 2026. Global commercial real estate services firm.
• Greenstein DeLorme & Luchs (GDL)goldGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold sponsor for 2026. Law firm specializing in commercial real estate.
• IndustriousgoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold sponsor for 2026. Premium flexible workspace provider.
• JLLgoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold sponsor for 2026. Leading professional services firm specializing in real estate and investment management.
• SavillsgoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold sponsor for 2026. Global commercial real estate advisor.
• Remedy Medical PropertiesgoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold sponsor for 2026. Healthcare real estate investment and development company.
• TMGgoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold sponsor for 2026. Real estate services firm.
• Avison YoungsilverGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Silver sponsor for 2026. Global commercial real estate services firm.
• Bognet ConstructionsilverGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Silver sponsor for 2026. Construction management and general contracting firm.
• LPCsilverGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Silver sponsor for 2026. Real estate investment and development company.
• SkanskasilverGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Silver sponsor for 2026. multinational construction and development company.
• Tishman SpeyersilverGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Silver sponsor for 2026. Global real estate developer and operator.
• TranswesternsilverGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Silver sponsor for 2026. Commercial real estate services firm.
• HITT ContractingpatronGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Patron sponsor for 2026. Construction and real estate development firm.
• Hogan LovellspatronGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Patron sponsor for 2026. Global law firm with real estate practice.
• CresapatronGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Patron sponsor for 2026. Commercial real estate advisory firm.
• RMR GrouppatronGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Patron sponsor for 2026. Real estate management and development company.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Urban Land Institute (ULI): Global research and education organization supporting land use and real estate development across all property types. Comparable in mission (education, networking, recognition in CRE), but ULI is a broader, research-driven organization with a global footprint rather than a broker-only regional association.
• NAIOP: National commercial real estate development association with research, networking, and awards programs for the CRE industry. Comparable to CREBA as a member-based organization providing education, networking, and recognition, but NAIOP serves a national audience of developers, owners, and investors rather than focusing on brokers in a single region.
• Nareit: National association representing REITs and publicly traded real estate companies, with advocacy, education, and member programming. Comparable as a CRE industry trade association, but Nareit focuses on the listed REIT and capital markets side rather than the brokerage community.

Direct peers

• ICSC (Innovating Commerce Serving Communities): Member organization for the retail and shopping center real estate industry, offering networking events, education, and recognition. Comparable to CREBA's model of dues + sponsorships + events + awards, though ICSC focuses on retail real estate and operates globally.
• The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE): Invitation-only membership organization for senior CRE practitioners built around credentialing, peer-to-peer interaction, and recognition. Comparable to CREBA's recognition-and-community model for senior brokers, though selective and credential-based rather than open regional membership.
• AIR Commercial Real Estate Association: Member organization for industrial and office commercial real estate brokers, providing market data, networking, and education. Comparable to CREBA's broker-focused membership model and value proposition, though national in scope and industrial/office-specific rather than DC-focused.
• CCIM Institute: Designation and member organization for commercial real estate professionals, combining education, networking, and recognition (pin and designation). Closely comparable to CREBA's broker-focused member model, though national in scope and structured around a credential rather than a regional community.
• Building Owners and Managers Association International (BOMA): International trade association for commercial real estate professionals focused on office and industrial building ownership and management. Comparable in structure (membership, advocacy, education, awards) but focused on owners/managers rather than brokers, and operating at national scale.
• Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR): Global membership organization for industrial and office CRE brokers, built around a designation, networking, and recognition framework. Highly comparable to CREBA's combination of broker-only membership, mentorship, awards, and designation-style recognition, but operating nationally and globally.

Regional players

• Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY): New York City's major real estate trade association, with membership across brokers, owners, and managers, plus advocacy, education, and awards. Comparable to CREBA as a metropolitan-scale RE trade association, but covering a different geography and broader constituency beyond brokerage.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CREBAdc
• Facebookfacebook.com/CREBA1
• Instagraminstagram.com/crebadc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/crebadc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles27 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Association