HISTORY

During the 1980's, several independent organizations were formed in which women involved in the many aspects of commercial real estate joined together to exchange information, develop business contacts, and help each other succeed professionally. The unique element of the groups was not that they were oriented toward women in a predominantly-male industry (men were also welcomed as members), but that the groups brought together representatives from a wide variety of professions, all of whom were involved in some way with commercial real estate.

In 1986, a federation of these groups was being formed on the east coast. The original members of CREW-National (Commercial Real Estate-National) were Baltimore, Northern Virginia, Suburban Maryland, Philadelphia, Detroit and Washington, D.C. During this same time they learned of a similar federation being formed on the west coast called WICRE-National Network (Women In Commerical Real Estate-National Network.

Leadership from the two federations met and realized that they were driving toward the same goal and were at the same place in the process. Rather than interrupt the momentum and energy within the two federations, they agreed to complete their separate formations with an eye toward eventually linking together.

In 1989, NNCREW officially started operations and the two became one. In 2001, the official name of the organization was changed to CREW Network. Structured as a federation, the CREW Network currently comprises 60 independent local organizations totaling more than 6,500 members. While the overall purpose and goals of the chapters are similar to those of the CREW Network, each chapter has its own unique structure and framework, allowing it to meet the needs of its individual members and marketplace. Each chapter has its own membership criteria, sets its own dues, and schedules its own programs and member activities.

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