Real-estate leader hosts effective networking conference

The Hawaii Affiliates of Sotheby’s International Realty (HASIR) recently hosted their third Hawaii Networking Event at Koloa Landing Resort in Poipu, Kauai. Over 130 agents and guests from the five independently owned and operated Sothe by’s International Realty (SIR) offices in Hawaii, as well as representatives from SIR’s major feeder markets and Sotheby’s International Realty corporate members, convened to share valuable information pertinent to the 2018 luxury real estate climate.

To kick off the event, keynote speaker Larry Kendall, Founding Partner of The Group Inc., shared details of his sales training system, which include daily and weekly habits that agents need to practice in order to be highly successful. Kendall’s recently published book, Ninja Selling: Subtle Skills. Big Results is critically acclaimed by real estate and business professionals alike.

Guest speaker Andrew Greenwell, CEO and founder of Venture Sotheby’s International Realty, one of the premier luxury real estate firms in the Bay Area, also addressed the group, illustrating how different generations — from Baby Boomers to Gen Yers — view the real estate market.

The conference featured many networking opportunities for the Hawaii agents who interacted with SIR representatives from feeder markets, such as Realogics SIR in Washington state, Russ Lyons SIR in Arizona, NRT LLC, a Realogy subsidiary, and Sotheby’s International Realty in Malibu. A critical topic of discussion was the psyche of the mainland buyer interested in Hawaii property, considering what is important to the buyer, such as the general market overview and the Hawaii lifestyle.

Courtney Brown, a Top Producing REALTOR® from Island Sotheby’s International Realty on Maui, expressed how important these face-to-face sessions with colleagues in referral and feeder markets were to her and her clients. “It’s refreshing to know that our relationships with brokers in other markets are there to assist when we have that extraordinary listing. These relationships between brokers can facilitate an introduction to that special buyer who may be coming from the West Coast market and it’s just a phone call away to reach this unique network,” Brown said.

Kai Ioh, a 2017 Top Producing REALTOR® for MacArthur Sotheby’s International Realty on the Big Island, closed over $150 million in global sales in 2017 and 2018. The core of Kai’s success is personal attentiveness and customized assistance to the needs of his clients. Kai’s sales were 100 percent buyer referrals and personal networking. “Significant sales in Hawaii, California and New York to international buyers are a testament to global brand success,” said Kai.

“The real estate professionals attending were treated to special property tours, a marketplace of vendors, and honed their real estate skills at the multiple networking sessions,” said Donna Apisa, Principal Broker and Owner of Oceanfront Sotheby’s International Realty.

“It was an honor to have Andrew Greenwell of Venture Sotheby’s International Realty moderate our panel discussion. These events leverage our power through the Sotheby’s International Realty network so that we may connect with other top SIR agents from around the world to better serve our clients,” said Georgie Tamayose, President of Island Sotheby’s International Realty.

Photos by Marcus Bloss