RICS Americas, the New York City-based division of the London-headquartered Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the largest organization for professionals in property, land, construction and related environmental issues worldwide, recently signed an unprecedented membership agreement with the Association for Advancement of Cost Engineering International (AACE) at the RICS Americas Jamaica Conference. The signing represents the first RICS partnership with a construction association in the Americas in which both organizations mutually recognize the quality and standards of the other offering an expedited path to membership.

"We are thrilled to partner with the most distinguished group of senior professionals in the construction industry in the Americas," said Tony Grant, chairman of RICS Americas. "AACE and RICS share the same standards of excellence in the areas of membership, education and certification. The signing of this agreement represents our commitment to the growth and success of both organizations."

The agreement was signed by Tony Grant and former AACE President Jim Zack to facilitate membership mobility between the organizations and international growth. Members who seek dual membership in RICS and AACE will now be able to build upon their existing membership in attaining entry to the other organization. All members will benefit from increased collaboration, information exchange and joint activities.

AACE International is the largest organization serving cost management professionals with a membership composed of more than 5,500 cost engineers, schedulers, project managers and project control specialists worldwide. The organization offers multiple industry-recognized designations in addition to providing members with news, educational opportunities and events.

"RICS has selectively partnered with the most important real estate organizations around the world and the recent RICS/AACE agreement is very significant because it represents the first RICS partnership with an American construction organization," said Matthew Bruck, managing director of RICS Americas. "RICS and AACE are two like-minded organizations that attract top industry professionals and we look forward growing together."

Other organizations RICS has partnered with include the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors and the Australian Property Institute.