A large, colourful, sometimes noisy and always cheerful Australian contingent joined more than 9000 of their global RE/MAX colleagues in February for a massive event.
Taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, the three-day R4 convention was filled with world-class education, global networking, business building – and a special celebration of the franchisor’s first 50 years. The annual convention this year had more than 9,300 attendees representing 74 countries and territories, demonstrating a bigger, bolder, and more ambitious RE/MAX spirit than ever before.
RE/MAX Holdings Chairman and Co-Founder Dave Liniger kicked off the event crediting his wife and RE/MAX Co-Founder Gail Liniger for the vital role she’s played in the evolution of the Company over the past five decades.
The opening session also featured a keynote address from iconic adventurer, mountaineer, author and television host, Bear Grylls who entertained with the many lessons he’s learned from his endeavours, all of which are applicable to entrepreneurs looking to build their businesses.
With a nod to all attendees being rock stars in real estate, the formal R4 program wrapped up with an interactive rock show disguised as a keynote address. There really was no better and fitting way to wrap up RE/MAX’s 50th celebration than Mark Schulman, most known right now as Pink’s world class drummer but who has also performed for sold-out audiences worldwide as the drummer for some of the greatest artists of all time, including Foreigner, Billy Idol and Cher
After an incredible few days, it was time to let loose.
Can you top a private concert for RE/MAX agents from one of the 21st century’s biggest acts, the three-time Grammy Award-winning artists, Maroon 5? This group has sold over 90 million in album sales and 550 million singles worldwide.
Added excitement for the Australian contingent came with the announcement that, throughout the 140,000-plus agents in the global RE/MAX network, Australia had the highest level of average commission per agent in 2022, and the second highest number of sales transactions globally in 2022.
Impressive! Perhaps you might like to read that again!
RE/MAX Australia Managing Director Joel Davoren suggests the #1 spot is mostly due to the greater degree of professionalism in Australia than in the real estate industry internationally, with additional factors being higher property prices in Australia and the AUD being closer than other countries to the USD.
RE/MAX is in the top three real estate groups in Australia with the highest average agent commission, based on CoreLogic data.
He described R4 as his first taste of a global real estate gathering in the post-covid world.
“It felt like a bit of a pressure release. We’ve had knocks and challenges in the past couple of years, but it now feels like we are moving forward in a world sans Covid.”
Joel says everything did indeed feel quite normal to him from a pandemic perspective.
“There was barely any sign of masks or mention of Covid, but it’s hard to explain the feeling of being face to face with people from so many countries once again. That said, while somethings felt normal, others didn’t.
“When you are standing shoulder to shoulder with some sales agents who are facing up to 80 per cent inflation in their countries right now, it really hits home how well off we are in Australia and puts our seven or eight per cent into perspective!”
Joel describes the Global Referral Exchange on the R4 program as a veritable United Nations of real estate with one universal language: referrals.
“Hundreds of agents from around the world were exchanging business cards, real and virtual, and bringing more opportunities for Australian agents to do business.
“There was a noticeable degree of conversation around immigration and Australia’s appeal. Our country is always popular but there was a lot of serious talk about more than just international travel; rather people relocating permanently.”
“In speaking with agents from many countries, it was clear that they and their clients see Australia as having a first-class healthcare system; a developed economy that is especially strong in the financial services, healthcare and basic materials sectors; and a burgeoning tech sector. Australia has no inheritance taxes. We rated as one of the five safest countries in the world for 2021/2022 and have been one of the fastest growing markets worldwide over the past 20 years in terms of wealth growth and GDP growth.
“We are faring well compared with other countries and we are well placed for growth,” Joel concludes.
