This past March, 4,000 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network members came together for the brand’s 2017 Sales Convention in Phoenix, Ariz., to connect with other affiliates, grow their referral networks, attend educational sessions, gain insight into what’s happening at the brand level and celebrate the accomplishments of their hard-working colleagues.
“Sales Convention is a vital time of year for our Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network family when we get together to show our appreciation for all the hard-working agents and real estate professionals we serve every day,” says network CEO Gino Blefari. “It’s a chance for network members to learn, to grow, to meet new people and solidify relationships, and, most importantly, to celebrate and connect at an event unlike any other.”
According to network members, from a networking and bonding perspective, no other industry event comes close to the annual Sales Convention.
“I go to Sales Convention because I can network with people across the brand,” says Maxine Gellens of the Maxine & Marti Gellens Team with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, who hasn’t missed a Convention since the first one back in 1989. “I make so many connections and network friends. If I missed a Sales Convention, I feel there would be a sales void in my year.”
Valuable from many different perspectives, the 2017 Sales Convention kicked off with inspirational and informative keynote addresses from Blefari and Stephen Phillips, COO of HSF Affiliates, which owns and operates the network. While Blefari zeroed in on 10 keys to unleashing one’s full potential, Phillips updated attendees on the 2017 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices national advertising campaign, in addition to shedding light on new tools and products being rolled out network-wide.
For David Mussari—managing partner with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty in West Chester, Ohio—it’s these areas that translate most closely to his world. “I get more out of the keynote addresses and motivational speakers than most because that’s my role within my organization,” says Mussari. “I have to be a bit of a keynote speaker myself and give broad, inspirational and motivational messages.”
Working with Corporate Magic, a production company based out of Dallas, Texas, Denise Doyle—vice president of Conference and Meeting Services with HSF Affiliates—notes that pre-planning and meticulous preparation are integral to the success of the annual Sales Convention.
“We’re laser-focused on offering high-quality education, networking opportunities, top-notch speakers, entertainment and fun,” says Doyle, who goes on to explain that the amount of classes offered this year was double that of years past, with industry experts presenting on everything from the best listing presentations to the most innovative digital marketing strategies. “In addition to building our education track around what the market is currently doing, we also focused more on panels this year, as our franchisees are eager to learn from one another.”
In fact, 95 percent of the feedback Mussari receives from his agents centers around the educational sessions they attend. “Sales Convention is the one game-changer for us every year,” says Mussari. “Their educational sessions are phenomenal, insightful, motivating and diverse.”
While education is an important aspect …read more
From:: Real Estate News