A few short weeks ago, 2,300 Sotheby’s International Realty® network members came together at the Wynn Las Vegas for the largest and most attended Global Networking Event to date. Over 165 brokerage firms from 40 countries and territories joined together to Embrace the Moment, highlighting the global reach and strength of the Sotheby’s International Realty brand. The exclusive three-day event commenced with a welcome reception to ignite networking, providing the opportunity for colleagues around the world to both reunite and develop new relationships. Thousands of business cards were exchanged along with countless global referrals.
Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty (RSIR) had 55 team members attend the GNE, nearly a quarter of the company, and one of the highest percentages of participation according to event organizers. By invitation, three RSIR executives collaborated on promoted breakout sessions including Dean Jones, President and CEO, who co-hosted a new developments program; Stacy Jones, Owner and Vice President, who led a discussion on cross promotions and lifestyle branding; and Andrea Savage, Vice President of Marketing, who presented on marketing to a standing room only audience.
“Our Global Networking Event celebrates the strength of the Sotheby’s International Realty network,” said Philip White, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. “This year’s conference was our most attended ever and it is incredible to see how members of our network continue to utilize the resources we provide, take the reins and develop their own new opportunities and continue to grow their business. We are proud of our network, our heritage and our future, and the success of this year’s Global Networking Event is the culmination of it all.”
Over the course of the three days, over 35 educational breakout sessions were offered, featuring subject matter experts and more than 120 volunteers from the Sotheby’s International Realty network who participated on panels and presentations. From learning more about the Auction House heritage and luxury lifestyles to negotiation skills and winning difficult properties to marketing and harnessing digital powers, attendees were blown away by the resources and tools available throughout the event.
“I was blown away by the thoughtful intelligence of the information that was presented,” said Jennifer Johnsen, Vice President of Brand Development for RSIR. “It was invaluable to absorb ideas from all over the world and learn new strategies and creative options to help our brokers be the best.”
Stacy Jones, spoke on a panel entitled “Getting Asked to the Dance: Resources to Put You in Front of High-End Sellers,” which discussed leveraging spheres in a non-invasive way to find new sellers. The panel, moderated by Jon Meschke, Vice President of Affiliate Services for Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC, covered how to take on expired listings to produce extraordinary results, lifestyle events, luxury product partnerships and social media. Jones discussed RSIR’s relationship with Ferrari and Maserati of Seattle and its impact on the firm.
New this year, the GNE incorporated nearly 20 Network Spheres to allow like-minded members of the network to collaborate easily, providing more exposure for business opportunities with their peers who share similar interests and specializations. Both Dean Jones and Andrea Savage were also invited to act as “sphere captains” for New Developments and Marketing, respectively.
Dean Jones, who led private events for the New Developments sphere, also co-presented with Vanessa Stabile, Vice President of Development Operations and Marketing with ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, on the panel, “Establishing Yourself in the New Development Market.” Jones and Stabile discussed generating high-profile exposure, supporting re-sales, and breaking into the new development market, along with best practices and insights.
“As a new member of the brand, it was great for me to see how many people there are in the Sotheby’s International Realty family,” said Joe Galindo, Vice President of Operations for RSIR. “It was definitely a first class event and an excellent opportunity to become more acquainted with our network’s exclusive resources.”