THE LARGEST gathering of property people this year takes place this evening in Dublin's Burlington Hotel when President Mary McAleesewill be the guest speaker at the annual dinner of the Society of Chartered Surveyors.

More than 800 people are booked to attend the function – a mere 170 down on last year. Low-key president Ken Gribbon, who will be on hand to welcome the President and her husband, Martin, is due to hand over the chain of office next May to Lisneychief executive Peter Stapleton.

Chartered surveyors have been amongst the worst affected by the property crash with up to half now thought to have lost their jobs. The situation is even worse for architects who are now increasingly pitching for work opportunities abroad.