What Real Estate Organizations are the most worthwhile?
With all the annual dues, continuing education requirements and time commitments, there are more organizations out there than the average real estate professional has time for.

What are your favorites? Why do you like them? Which have you found to be a waste of time and money?

Some of the groups out there: Urban Land Institute (ULI), Real Estate Investment Association (REIA), U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSA), Building Owners and Managers Association International (BOMA International) and dozens more...
[{"id": "c8ukgld", "text": "ICSC if not for the database alone. Events are great too (just walked in the door from one). ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "c8umhgz", "text": "CCIM, AIRE (in Illinois), SIOR.  CCIM is great for the education, not great in my opinion for the network. SIOR, I've had mixed reviews.  In my area, AIRE has been the best RE Organization for Industrial that I have found.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "c8uoao3", "text": "If you're looking to network, find out what organizations your clients (or target clients) are in, and then go join those and go to their conferences.    ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "c8uv5q9", "text": "Not sure if every city has one, but in Central Texas, the Real Estate Council of Austin is one of the largest local organizations for CRE professionals, including brokers (leasing, debt, equity and capital markets), investors, attorneys, property managers, lenders, real estate investment groups, developers, etc.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "c8uw37z", "text": "From NYC:\n\nULI is great. ICSC is good too. If I had to pick one, I'd pick ULI\n\nAlso there is: CMAA. ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "c926gni", "text": "I found that good real estate organizations tended to be stronger in different areas. When I was living on the east coast in Connecticut groups in New York such as ICSC were active and engaging (about 2yrs ago). It is by definition a retail group so if that is not what your interested in your efforts may be utilized in other groups. When living in San Francisco most recently I found that the ULI was a great resource. That being said maybe 45 minutes south down the peninsula and NAIOP would be a better organization if you are in the south bay. Again this is an product specific group. \n\nFor whatever its worth I have found the ULI to be the most valuable, but it is also in San Francisco where I have spent the most time.     ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "c9372nc", "text": "ULI is very hit and miss depending on your area. In Minnesota it has a young people focus which offers great networking but I think education it falls behind. ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "c940eey", "text": "ULI Young Leaders is my favorite at this time.  Annual membership fees are $250 (half of the regular ULI membership) and the only requirement is that you are under 35 years of age.\n\nHowever, it depends what you are interested in learning about/who you are trying to network with.  ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]