AREC set to light up the Coast

If you work in real estate, now is the time to register for AREC 2018 on the Gold Coast

AUSTRALIA’S diverse mix of property experts are about to be challenged to become the forward-thinkers of their competitive industry.

Now in its milestone 21st year, the Australasian Real Estate Conference (AREC) will focus on strategies for the future and is expected to draw a record crowd during the two-day May event on the Gold Coast.

Founder John McGrath said real estate was “at an interesting crossroad” and agents were being confronted with major advances that could ultimately set them apart from others if they used them to their advantage.

“While on one hand the key drivers for success continue uninterrupted — things like deep local knowledge, outstanding service and superior negotiation skills — the domination of digital and now social channels to market properties continue to gather rapid momentum,” Mr McGrath said.

“Technology, software, digital, social and data will be the greatest game changers over the next few years and these will be highlighted in many of the presentations,” he said.

More than 30 speakers will take to the stage and share their knowledge and insights in a bid to inspire real estate agents from around the country.

Keynote speakers include Australian business whiz Chris Helder, Canada’s inspirational speaker and New York Times best-selling author Amanda Lindhout, and Tom Ferry, the leading real estate trainer in the US.

Local property experts from leading agencies will also offer some tips for success. AREC 2017 attracted 4160 attendees and the 2018 conference is looking to grow by more than 10 per cent to nudge 5000 guests.

Sydney’s Tom Panos, founder of Real Estate Gym and a weekly Sky Business commentator, will once again MC the event.

Mr Panos said in recent years the conference had alerted him to three ongoing shifts in the real estate world: A growing number of young professionals who had been in the industry for three years or less; more females emerging as leading agents; and a shift towards creating larger teams at top brand agencies as opposed to the creation of new agencies.

“The agents who are most immersed in their community, which means being close with the local schools, businesses and sporting clubs, are the ones who are succeeding,” he said.