Dear IBBA Members,
It is a true privilege to serve as your 2026 Chair of the International Business Brokers Association.
When I think about this role, I do not think about a title. I think about stewardship. I think about protecting and advancing a profession that changes lives every single day.
Like you, I am in the trenches. I have felt the weight of holding a deal together when it seems determined to fall apart. I have walked sellers through emotional transitions after decades of ownership. I have taken the late-night calls, navigated unexpected obstacles, and experienced the quiet satisfaction of helping a transaction close that truly mattered.
This profession demands a great deal from us. That is exactly why IBBA matters so much.
A few weeks ago, our Executive Director, Emily Bowler, and I hosted a webinar reviewing 2025 and sharing a high-level look at where IBBA stands and where we are headed in 2026. If you have not watched it, I strongly encourage you to do so.
You can view it here:
The story it tells is simple and powerful. IBBA has never been stronger.
Membership is at an all-time high with over 3,239 members, the largest in our history. We are approaching nearly 500 Certified Business Intermediaries, another record milestone. In 2025 alone, we welcomed 48 new CBIs. We now have 47 Master Certified Business Intermediaries. More than 2,041 online courses were completed last year, the highest education participation we have ever recorded. Member satisfaction continues to rise.
We have never done better than we are doing right now.
That momentum is not accidental. It is the result of members choosing growth. They are investing in education. They are pursuing credentials. They are raising the bar on professionalism.
The CBI designation represents rigor, accountability, and commitment to excellence. The MCBI reflects mastery and leadership within our field. Every time one of us earns one of these credentials, it strengthens the credibility of every IBBA member. We are not simply growing in size. We are growing in quality.
IBBA’s greatest strength is not just in its programs or its metrics. It is in its culture.
We operate in a competitive industry, yet within IBBA, we collaborate openly. We take calls from one another. We share lessons learned. We help each other structure difficult transactions. That generosity of knowledge is rare in business, and it is powerful.
We are only as strong as our weakest link. That is not criticism. It is a reminder that each of us has the ability to elevate someone else.
This year’s scholarship recipients embody that mindset. They are investing in themselves and in this profession. They represent the next generation of leadership within IBBA. Supporting their growth is not simply encouragement. It is an investment in the long-term strength of our association.
We are also introducing two new awards in 2026 that reflect the standards we believe in. The Rising Star Award will recognize a newer broker already demonstrating excellence and professionalism. The Deal of the Year Award will honor not the largest transaction, but the one that required extraordinary perseverance and skill to close. Success in this profession is defined not just by size, but by integrity, grit, and impact.
In addition, submissions for our Member Excellence Awards are already underway, with more than $1 billion in closed transaction volume submitted to date — a powerful testament to the strength and professionalism of our membership.
I am honored to serve alongside an exceptional Board of Governors in 2026. These leaders are volunteering their time and expertise to ensure IBBA continues to lead our profession forward:
Sarah Grossman, CBI (2027 Chair Elect)
Erin Crawford, CBI (2025 Past Chairman)
Heather Valeri, CBI
Brian Stephens, CBI, MCBI, M&AMI
Kara Gibson Brzytwa, CBI
Austin Zhao, CBI, M&AMI
Tanya Popov, CBI, MCBI
Joe Shemansky, CBI, MCBI
Steve Zimmerman, CBI
John Zayac, CBI
Jessica Craig, CBI
Jaclyn Ring, M&AMI, CM&AP
Jeff Snell, CBI, MCBI, M&AMI
Emily Bowler, Executive Director
Their commitment strengthens every member of this association, and I am grateful for their service.
In May, we will gather in Minneapolis from May 29 through May 31 for our annual conference. Friday will feature six in-depth educational courses, followed by two days of general sessions and workshops selected from a record number of submissions. There will be networking events, our kick-off party on Friday night, Bringing it Back to 1984, free professional headshots (in the exhibit hall), and even a golf simulator with a closest to the pin contest on Saturday, and opportunities to build relationships that often last decades.
Our Conference Planning Committee has invested tremendous effort into creating an outstanding event, and their dedication deserves our sincere thanks. They have spent a tremendous amount of time making this great event happen for us. A HUGE thank you to our conference committee!
But the most important part of the conference is not printed on the agenda.
If you are a seasoned member attending, you have the power to shape someone’s career.
One introduction. One conversation. One invitation to sit at your table.
For a new broker, that simple act can change everything. It can build confidence when they are unsure. It can create a referral relationship that transforms their business. It can connect them to a mentor who shortens their learning curve by years.
Many of us can trace defining moments in our careers back to a single connection made at an IBBA event. When you bring someone into your circle, you are not just being welcoming. You are accelerating their development. You are strengthening this profession from the inside out. Most importantly, you could alter one’s career with a few simple conversations and introductions.
We guide owners through one of the most significant transitions of their lives. We help buyers step into a new opportunity. We sit at the center of decisions that affect families, employees, and communities.
That responsibility demands excellence.
IBBA is thriving because members are raising the standard. Engagement is at historic highs. Credentials are growing. Education participation is stronger than ever.
We are not just participating in this profession.
We are defining it.
The way we lead, the way we mentor, the way we welcome new members, and the standards we uphold will determine what this profession looks like decades from now.
Let’s build something enduring. Let’s build something we are proud to hand to the next generation.
And let’s do it together.
With appreciation,
Jim Parker, CBI, MCBI, M&AMI, CM&AP
Chair, 2026 IBBA Board of Governors
IBBA Magazine
IN THIS ISSUE: “The Next Chapter,” Letter from the 2026 IBBA Chair. Plus, The Integrated Deal Platform, The Listing That Should Never Have Been Listed, Putting AI to Work in Your Brokerage, and more!
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