Another year ends, and a new year is just beginning. Wishing everyone in the coming year, health, happiness and much success!
The HAR International Advisory Group (IAG) closed out 2018 by receiving the highest global council award The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) offers, the prestigious Diamond award. It was graciously received by both Susan Annoura, International Advisory Group Chairman for 2018, and Lori Carper, HAR Director of International, during the NAR Convention in Boston.
On behalf of the IAG, as the 2019 chairman, I congratulate everyone who contributed to the advisory group over the past years for making this happen. Past HAR IAG leaders include Richard Miranda, Edna Corona, Bill Gottfried, Cathy Trevino, Nelly Delourdes Mitford and Susan Annoura along with others too numerous to mention.
This year, we will be implementing new and exciting concepts in our global advisory group. We will be working with the MetroTex Association of Realtors® along with the Austin Board of Realtors® global programs to expand our scope of work and commitment to Realtors® in and across Texas, not only Houston and its surrounding counties.
We have the honor of welcoming Ed Eakin from the Eakin Group in Dallas as the 2019 IAG Vice Chair. Ed will take over the reins next year as Chairman of the Houston Association of Realtors® IAG.
We have accepted new members to the 2019 advisory group to promote the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) Institute and we already have members calling from all over the country to register for this course IN HOUSTON! I believe this is due to us having our very own Richard Miranda as the CIPS instructor. Dates for the CIPS Institute will be announced later this year.
In addition to welcoming new advisory group members, we have invited some key global advisors to the advisory group on a level we have not seen before. Some of these advisors work on the federal, state and local levels. In turn our members will benefit from the knowledge of top professionals in our industry.
Living in the nation’s fourth largest city, we are dedicated to bringing key elements of our city closer to home to all Realtors®. Examples of this are offering the opportunity to attend behind the scenes tours of Bush Intercontinental Airport and the Port of Houston.
Last year, HAR was appointed as the NAR ambassador association to Belize. Several advisory group members hope to take a trip to Belize in 2019 to view first hand international real estate, its pros and cons and meet local real estate agents and developers.
Throughout the year, we host numerous events and this year will be bigger and better with events expanding to Dallas and Austin. Do you wish to participate in sponsorship in one or more of our events? Please contact us at any time and we can discuss the options and possibilities to promote your business on a local, state, national and global level.
All in all, our advisory group is striving to new levels. It is not only becoming one of the nation’s top global players but also a team of experts in the fields of finance, all aspects of real estate, government and non-profit.
For those who were not chosen to be part of the 2019 advisory group please apply again at the end of this year and do feel free to attend any of our upcoming events which we will be advertising in advance.
Thank you all for your support and I will strive to fill the shoes (even if they are high heels!) of my predecessor Susan Annoura.
Have a fabulous 2019.
