Upcoming Trade Missions to Build Your Business

By: Carla Rayman Kidd, Realtor®, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, President, FIABCI-USA 2023-2024

e are fortunate to belong to associations and organizations that provide numerous opportunities for us to expand both our knowledge and networking with industry professionals around the world. The National Association of REALTORS®, Florida REALTORS®, and RASM are constantly showcasing these conferences that they are participating in or simply sharing details for us to attend on our own or with colleagues. In addition, organizations such as FIABCI, AREAA, and NAHREP host events as well as our designations like CRS.

REALTOR® QUEST IN TORONTO, CANADA

Beginning in mid-May (16-17), agents can attend REALTOR® Quest in Toronto, Canada, where they can meet their Canadian colleagues at a two-day expo sponsored by the Toronto Real Estate Association. Florida REALTORS® will have a booth at the expo, and agents are invited to join them to help promote our state. To register, visit https://realtorquest.trreb.ca/. This is an annual event, so if you cannot make it this year, you can certainly plan on scheduling it for May 2024.

Fiabci World Real Estate Congress

The Miami Real Estate Association will host the 73rd FIABCI World Real Estate Congress. Founded in 1951 in Paris, France, FIABCI is the International Real Estate Federation with the French acronym for Federation Internationale des Administrateurs de Bien-Conselis Immobiliers. This event is held in a different city around the world every spring, and we are fortunate to have it here in the United States for the first time in many years. The theme this year is “Building for the Future,” and there will be over 45 speakers, including former Florida Governor Jeb Bush as the Keynote. The event will be held at the Nobu Eden Roc Hotel from June 5-9. This prestigious conference features numerous government officials, authors, architects, and developers. There will be industry networking lunches, property tours, an opening reception, a Prix d’Excellence awards dinner, and a farewell banquet. Professionals involved in the real estate industry will be attending from some of FIABCI’s 70 chapters around the world. To register, visit www.MiamiFiabciCongress.com

Winmocionate Event

Those who have their Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation may be interested in joining their colleagues around the world in Granada, Spain, on June 29-30. The 13th Inmociónate event is organized by UCI (Unión de Créditos Inmobiliarios) and SIRA (Spanish International Realty Alliance), which since 2010 has been bringing together real estate professionals from all over Spain. In recent years, there has been a growing representation of American and European attendees. In the 2022 edition, Inmociónate was attended by more than 700 professionals from 15 countries. To register, go to https://crs.com/ ProductCatalog/Product.aspx?ID=21899

Panama Beautiful

If you haven’t been to Panama, your chance is coming up July 31 - August 2. RASM has a Memorandum of Understanding with Panama’s real estate association ACOBIR, and is one of this year’s conference sponsors. Panama Beautiful delivers information on real estate projects, including residential and commercial developments in Panama City and its nearby beaches. This conference affords you the ability to visit projects and developers onsite and forge alliances with local real estate brokers. You will walk away understanding more about the legal system and popular pensionado program for retirees. Two optional side trips are also available to visit areas popular with ex-pat investors. For more information, visit uspanama@msn.com

Trade Missions

Trade missions allow you to connect with key markets and investigate new markets and business opportunities. Good research and preparation are essential. They are used to explore potential international business opportunities. Connect with others, and build relationships that can lead to friendships and business. It is also an opportunity to educate oneself. For best practices, review the “Upcoming Events and Key Elements of a Trade Mission” power-point available on the Voice blog at www.floridarealtors.org. •