CHICAGO – (March 9, 2017) – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® hosted its annual Conference Week February 27-March 5 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. The event attracted 2,000 real estate professionals from 25 countries, with distinct conferences held for brokers, senior managers and relocation professionals; sales associates; luxury specialists; sales managers; and marketing and technology professionals. The events were open to members and guests of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, a selective global real estate community spanning six continents.
Sessions focused on a wide range of topics impacting the real estate market, including the global economy, changing consumer demographics, evolving technologies and marketing strategies, and home and lifestyle trends.
Keynote speakers included John Foley, former lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels; Josh Linkner, New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, venture capitalist and national columnist; Brett Culp, acclaimed filmmaker; Brad Meltzer, New York Times bestselling author; NBA superstar Shane Battier; Mel Robbins, one of CNN’s most popular on-air commentators and opinion writers; and LeadingRE Chief Economist Marci Rossell, Ph.D. Also featured were an accomplished group of industry thought leaders, strategists, innovators and practitioners.
“As we continue to expand our network around the world, there is incredible value in coming together as a community, as we explore global real estate trends and learn alongside the remarkable professionals who comprise our network,” said LeadingRE President/CEO Pam O’Connor. “Celebrating our members’ achievements is equally important, and we are honored to recognize so many outstanding firms and individuals for their exemplary performance.”
Throughout the week, entertainment and networking events were held, giving participants the opportunity to connect with fellow members from around the world. A highlight was the Awards Gala, where top members were recognized. Watson Realty Corp. (Jacksonville, FL) was presented with the Diamond Award for the fifth time in the award’s 15-year history. As LeadingRE’s highest honor, the Diamond Award acknowledges outstanding performance and engagement in all of LeadingRE’s business programs.
Howard W. “Hoddy” Hanna, III (Howard Hanna Company, Pittsburgh, PA) was presented with the prestigious Leadership Award, which celebrates a member broker whose leadership skills and achievements have drawn the attention and admiration of others.
Howard Hanna Company also received the Customer Experience of the Year Award, and The Keyes Company (Miami, FL) earned the Referral of the Year Award.
Among the top marketing awards were the Best Overall Website, presented to @properties (Chicago, IL), and the Most Innovative Brokerage Award, recognizing Halstead Property, LLC (New York, NY) and Seven Gables Real Estate (Tustin, CA). Most Innovative Office Design was awarded to Kentwood Real Estate (Greenwood Village, CO) and Realty Concepts, Ltd. (Fresno, CA).
The Crown of Excellence referral awards were given in seven company size categories to Allen Tate Company (Charlotte, NC); Lyon Real Estate (Sacramento, CA); Beverly-Hanks & Associates (Asheville, NC); Cottingham Chalk Hayes, Realtors (Charlotte, NC); WK Real Estate (Boulder, CO); Marx-Bensdorf Realtors (Memphis, TN); and Tina Bilazarian, Inc., REALTORS® (Shrewsbury, MA).
The Million Dollar Award for Highest Valued Outgoing Closings went to Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. (Chantilly, VA). The Global Alliance Award for Most Outgoing International Referral Closings was presented to CIR REALTY (Calgary, Canada).
Earning honors for having the Top 5 Most Outgoing Closings, in order of volume, were: WEICHERT, REALTORS® (Morris Plains, NJ), Long & Foster Real Estate Inc., (Chantilly, VA); Howard Hanna Company (Pittsburgh, PA); Allen Tate Company (Charlotte, NC); and Intero Real Estate Services, Inc. (Cupertino, CA).
The Pinnacle Award recognizing the most outgoing revenue-generating referrals was presented to: Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. (Chantilly, VA); Lyon Real Estate (Sacramento, CA); Kentwood Real Estate (Greenwood Village, CO); John Daugherty Realtors (Houston, TX); WK Real Estate (Boulder, CO); Premier Estate Properties, Inc. (Boca Raton, FL); and CamTaylor Realtors (Columbus, OH).
Earning recognition with the Fast Tracker Award were PorchLight Real Estate Group (Denver, CO) and Stone Real Estate (Sydney, Australia), given to select companies that generated significant outgoing referral performance in their first full calendar year as an affiliate of the network.
Additional awards recognized expertise in the luxury market. Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate (Rye Brook, NY) won the Top Luxury Portfolio Brokerage Award, while LX Costa Rica (San Jose, Costa Rica) earned the Top Global Luxury Portfolio Brokerage Award. Earning the Luxury Portfolio Best Newcomer Award was Kentwood Real Estate (Greenwood Village, CO), and Unique Estates Ltd. (Sofia, Bulgaria) was awarded the Luxury Portfolio Spirit Award.
For more information on LeadingRE, visit www.LeadingRE.com.
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