Approximately 6,000 Greater Toronto REALTORS® and approximately 1,000 exhibitor staff made TREB’s annual REALTOR® QUEST conference, held May 6 and 7 at the Toronto Congress Centre, another tremendous success this year.
- The conference’s aim was to bring together the greatest collection of real estate speakers ever in Canada, with 44 professional development sessions offered through its Learning Quest component. Among REALTOR® QUEST’s many accomplished speakers were Walter Sanford, who shared strategies for multiplying effectiveness, and Richard Robbins, the Spring Annual Meeting’s keynote speaker, who outlined his views on emerging trends.
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- Also included as part of the Spring Annual Meeting were a number of awards presentations, operations updates, an announcement on the results of the election for TREB’s 2015/2016 Board of Directors, a financial update, and consideration of proposed by-law amendments.
- Presented with TREB’s highest award, the Award of Merit, were former Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) Registrar Allan Johnston, former TREB President John Meehan and former RECO Chief Executive Officer and President Tom Wright. Former TREB Director Stuart Braund and former TREB President Bill Johnston were recognized with the David Rossi Committee Service Award for their outstanding service and former TREB Director Gary Lander received the Commercial Network Merit Award. Member Sandip Singh Sangha was also honoured with TREB’s Community Service Award for his many volunteer efforts.
- In addition to receiving an update from TREB President Paul Etherington and CEO John DiMichele, Members heard from Ontario Real Estate Association President Patricia Verge, Canadian Real Estate Association President Pauline Aunger and Real Estate Council of Ontario CEO Kate Murray, who talked about their organizations’ recent initiatives.
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- The election results for TREB’s 2015/2016 Board of Directors were announced, and it will be comprised of the following Members:
Mark McLean, President
Larry Cerqua, President-Elect
Paul Etherington, Past President
Howard Drukarsh, Director-at-Large
Don Kottick, Director-at-Large
John Lusink, Director-at-Large
Donald Patterson, Director-at-Large
Sandra Rinomato, Director-at-Large
Tim Syrianos, Central Brokerage Director
Lisa Patel, Central Non-Brokerage Director
Gurcharan (Garry) Bhaura, West Brokerage Director
Michael Collins, West Non-Brokerage Director
Richard (Dick) Briscoe, East Brokerage Director
Michelle Makos, East Non-Brokerage Director
Joseph Shum, North Brokerage Director
Peter Burdon, North Non-Brokerage Director - A motion for a $25 one-time dues holiday was carried following the meeting’s financial update, representing the 10th dues reduction in recent years and a total savings of $530 per Member over the years.
- As well, for the eighth consecutive year, Members voted in favour of continuing their support of the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation’s Every REALTOR® Campaign by allowing TREB to make a donation equivalent to $1 per Member per month for a year to the Foundation. Through the Foundation, last year alone, TREB provided grants totalling $485,410 to 60 different shelter-related charities across the Greater Toronto Area.
- Proposed by-law amendments, some of which were of a housekeeping nature, and others that related to the name and mandate of TREB’s MLS® Committee and to the mandate of TREB’s Government Relations Committee, were also carried.
- Canada’s largest real estate trade show with 252 exhibitors spanning 85,000 square feet of space was also a conference highlight, with Centre Stage featuring continuous entertainment, including the popular REALTOR® game shows TREBARDY, Is Your Price Right? and The Money Machine.
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- The conference’s Health Quest component, with its various wellness assessments and services, was also a popular attraction.
- Both days wrapped up with Member receptions at Centre Stage, which included two draws to win a free one-year TREB membership, which were won by Rasiah Srikanthan and Susanna Marchetti, and a grand prize giveaway of a 60” Samsung LED SMART Television, which Member Emanuele Giordano took home.
- Funds were also raised through a silent auction to support Camp Winston, a registered charitable organization that provides recreational opportunities in Muskoka for children and teens with neurological conditions.
Plans are now underway for next year’s REALTOR® QUEST conference and when available, can be found at realtorquest.ca