Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® has announced new officers and members of its Advisory Council. This leadership group is comprised of top business development and relocation professionals from firms affiliated with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® (LeadingRE), an international network of more than 500 market-leading real estate companies.

The group’s new chairperson is Denise Talboy, vice president, Relocation & Corporate Services for The Keyes Company in Weston, FL. In this role, she will provide guidance to the Council, which works closely with the LeadingRE management team on strategic network initiatives. Dawn Stevens, relocation and corporate services director for Jack Conway & Co. Inc., in Norwell, MA, has been elected vice chairperson.

New Council members include Ryan Carrell, Carpenter Realtors, Indianapolis, IN; Rachael Joyner, Joyner Fine Properties, Richmond, VA; Diana McGrogan, Intero Real Estate Services, Cupertino, CA; and Carole Souza, NP Dodge Real Estate, Omaha, NE.

This group joins existing members Elizabeth Fowler, WestMark, Realtors, Lubbock, TX; Jane Gowarty, Smith & Associates Real Estate, Tampa, FL; Nancy Harmann, GARDNER, REALTORS, Metairie, LA; Diane Howard, Real Estate One, Inc., Southfield, MI; Pamela Metzger, Colorado Landmark, Realtors, Boulder, CO; and Liz Nunan, Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate, Rye Brook, NY.

In addition to helping develop key initiatives designed to foster referral activity within the network, Council members also mentor other members and serve as ambassadors for the organization’s extensive programs. Members are elected by fellow council members to serve a three-year term and are chosen based on professional experience and reputation, willingness to share their expertise for the betterment of the network and dedication to LeadingRE.

“We are privileged to have such an accomplished and respected group of relocation professionals serving on the Advisory Council,” said LeadingRE Director of Network Services Brent Williams, CRP, who serves as the staff liaison to the group. “Their willingness to share their expertise helps us ensure we offer the most responsive and effective programs to our members worldwide.”

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® is the largest network of over 500 premier locally-branded firms responsible for more home sales than any other real estate network. LeadingRE provides its affiliates with an extensive range of brokerage services, including lead generation, cross-market referrals, branding support, luxury marketing, online exposure, technology systems, and industry-leading professional development.

To learn more about Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, visit www.LeadingRE.com.

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Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE) has been ranked 64^th among the Top 125 learning and development programs across all industries throughout the world by Training Magazine, the premier learning industry publication. This is the first year LeadingRE received the award in recognition of its robust in-person and online training programs for its affiliate real estate firms and their 120,000 associates in over 52 countries, including its professional development platform, LeadingRE Institute.

Recipients of the Top 125 award represent all industries and have demonstrated commitment to employee training and development that resulted in the achievement of key corporate strategic goals. The Top 125 ranking is determined by assessing a range of factors, including financial investment in professional development, the scope of development programs and how closely such development efforts are linked to business goals and objectives.

Hundreds of companies apply annually to be recognized in the Top 125. To qualify, companies complete a detailed application, which is scored both quantitatively by an outside research and statistical data company and qualitatively by Training magazine editors and Top 10 Hall of Fame representatives.

“We are thrilled to be one of only 27 organizations – and the only real estate network – to be recognized in this prestigious ranking for the first time,” said Cecelia Chott, executive director of Institute content services. “As we continue to build resources that include nearly 300 proprietary online courses, webinars, state-of-the-art conferences, seminars and peer review groups, we strive to create the most timely, relevant, 24/7 content in the real estate industry, with the goal of significantly elevating performance in our business.”

Introduced just five years ago, LeadingRE’s rising-star Institute program ranked higher than many large, global corporations and was fourth among the seven real estate organizations achieving Top 125 status, with other programs having been in place for decades. One of LeadingRE’s unique offerings is the option for member real estate firms to offer sales associates a customized learning portal branded to the brokerage, allowing agents and staff to access not only all of LeadingRE’s original content, but also the unique, market-specific courses and resources of the network’s affiliate brokerages.

“As the real estate consumer becomes increasingly sophisticated, the need for real estate professionals to serve as trusted advisors with unsurpassed competence and advocacy is more critical than ever. Our constantly-evolving learning programs equip our member brokers, agents and staff with the information they need to be responsive to shifts in demographics, technology and the economy,” comments LeadingRE President/CEO Pam O’Connor.

To learn more about Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, visit www.LeadingRE.com.

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Pat Riley, president and chief operating officer of Charlotte, NC-based Allen Tate Company, has been elected to a two-year term as Chairman of the Board of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®. Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® (LeadingRE) is a global network of 500+ market-leading real estate firms producing over one million annual home sale transactions.

Mr. Riley is a real estate industry veteran, whose real estate experience dates back to 1972. He has been with the Allen Tate Company since 1992 and now provides strategic direction for all aspects of the 57-year-old firm. Under his guidance, the company consistently ranks #1 in the Carolinas and among the Top 10 independent brokerages nationwide.

“It is a true privilege to serve LeadingRE and partner with the finest brokers in this business, as we work together to create opportunities that benefit all of our premier independent brokerage members worldwide,” Riley said. “I am committed to building on the progress already made in supporting our affiliates with the industry’s best programs for business development, education, relocation, technology and marketing.”

“Pat Riley has been instrumental to our organization’s growth since our founding in 1997,” said LeadingRE President/CEO Pam O’Connor, “Having most recently served as vice chairman of our board, Pat is an innovative and progressive businessman, whose insights have helped our network become the global real estate powerhouse it is today.”

Other officers include Chairman Pat Riley (Allen Tate Company, Charlotte, NC); Immediate Past Chairman Robert Sibcy (Sibcy Cline REALTORS^®, Cincinnati, OH); Vice Chairman Joe Horning (Shorewest REALTORS^®, Brookfield, WI); Secretary Dan Elsea (Real Estate One, Southfield, MI); and Treasurer Harold Crye (CRYE-LEIKE, REALTORS®, Memphis, TN). Also serving on the distinguished board are Jeffrey S. Detwiler (Long & Foster Real Estate, Chantilly, VA); Howard W. (Hoby) Hanna IV (Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, Cleveland, OH); Chris Meyers (Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate, Armonk, NY); Ron Peltier (HomeServices of America, Minneapolis, MN); Michael T. Robinson (Weichert, REALTORS®, Morris Plains, NJ); Michael Saunders (Michael Saunders & Company, Sarasota, FL); and William Watson, Jr. (Watson Realty Corp., Jacksonville, FL).

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® is the largest network of over 500 premier locally-branded firms responsible for more home sales than any other real estate network. LeadingRE provides its affiliates with an extensive range of brokerage services, including lead generation, cross-market referrals, branding support, luxury marketing, online exposure, technology systems, and industry-leading professional development.

To learn more about Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, visit www.LeadingRE.com.

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Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® has begun the year by building on the significant growth of 2014 with a total of 60 new member firms over the past year, 10 of those in January.  These additions represent coverage in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, South America and the Caribbean and expand the network’s footprint to 52 countries, 23 of which will be in attendance at its annual conference February 9-13 in Las Vegas.

The newest firms in the U.S. include Dibeck Real Estate (Los Angeles); Otis & Ahearn Real Estate (Boston, MA); Park Co. Realtors (Fargo, ND); Realty Austin (Austin, TX); Greenwood King (Houston, TX); Dorsey Alston (Atlanta, GA); The Real Estate Group (Springfield, IL); Hodnett Cooper (St. Simons Island, GA); Gattermeir Davidson (Lake Ozark, MO); Lake Havasu City Properties (Lake Havasu City, AZ); and Fisher Provence Realtors (Stillwater, OK).

Markets covered through international expansion in recent months include Costa Rica; Dominican Republic; Turks & Caicos; Belize; Aruba; Bogota, Colombia; Punta del Este, Uruguay; Sydney and Hobart, Australia; Auckland, New Zealand; Dubai, UAE; Doha, Qatar; Johannesburg in South Africa; Lusaka, Zambia; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Porto, Portugal; Stresa, Venice and Arcore in Italy; Madrid, Mallorca, Ibiza, Spain; Stockholm, Sweden, Petrovac, Montenegro and over 100 new locations in Germany through a large national firm and several local agencies.

“We have seen incredible interest from market-leading firms around the world that are interested in affiliating with our network,” said Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® President and CEO Pam O’Connor. “They recognize the unique value we offer, which allows them to align with other premier firms, expand their global capabilities and tap into the many resources we provide while still remaining independent.”

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® is the largest network of over 500 premier locally-branded firms producing over one million annual home sale transactions annually. LeadingRE provides its affiliates with an extensive range of brokerage services, including lead generation, cross-market referrals, branding support, luxury marketing, online exposure, technology systems, and industry-leading professional development.

To learn more about Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, visit www.LeadingRE.com.

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Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® and Luxury Portfolio International^® are hosting their annual International Symposium in Dubrovnik, Croatia from October 16-18. The event has attracted top real estate professionals from 13 countries worldwide:  Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Mauritius, Mexico, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States.

Symposium participants will address global real estate issues and explore how real estate has become an increasingly international business. Speakers include Adrian Hayes, a professional adventurer and business coach who set a Guinness World record for reaching the Earth’s three “Poles” – walking all the way to the North Pole and South Pole and summiting Mount Everest. Also in the lineup is esteemed Spanish political economist Ramón Tamames, who will address the impact of environmental changes on real estate assets.

A panel of real estate technology leaders, including Lorne C. Wallace of Lone Wolf Real Estate Technologies, David Friedman of Boston Logic Technology Partners, and Eric Bryn and Jeff Corbett of BoomTown, will explore “Universal Solutions Using Technology.” Also featured are member real estate professionals who will share insights on real estate practices and trends in their local markets.

“The International Symposium has become increasingly important to our membership as we continue to expand our coverage worldwide,” said LeadingRE President/CEO Pam O’Connor. “By giving our brokerages the opportunity to come together in an incredible destination to discuss cross-border business opportunities and pervasive market trends, we strengthen our position as a global real estate leader.”

In addition to past International Symposium conferences held in Venice, Lisbon, Madrid, Rome, Valencia and Dublin, the network recently held its first Asian Immersion Conference in Shanghai, China. Network affiliates will convene again February 9-13, 2015 in Las Vegas for the LeadingRE Conference Week.

To learn more about Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®, visit www.LeadingRE.com.  For more information on Luxury Portfolio International^®, visit www.LuxuryPortfolio.com.

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Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® has selected AdWerx as a preferred provider through its Solutions Group program, which offers select business tools to its global network of more than 500 real estate firms.

AdWerx provides professional online advertising to real estate companies and sales associates. The company’s platform allows real estate professionals to easily create custom ads in minutes. The technology automatically targets local prospects in the market for real estate as they surf the web. In addition to ads that promote specific listings, the program is ideal for company branding and agent marketing. AdWerx is also launching a system for agent recruiting.

“We are pleased to partner with AdWerx to bring its innovative online advertising program to our members,” said Robin LaSure, vice president of corporate marketing for LeadingRE. “The company is quickly becoming the online advertising platform of choice with real estate companies and sales associates, providing an easy-to-use interface and an effective way to reach the right customers almost instantly.”

AdWerx seeks to support real estate professionals who want the promotional capabilities of a marketing or advertising agency without the usual time and expense.

“Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® is one of the premier organizations in the real estate industry. They understand the power and importance of online marketing,” said AdWerx CEO Jed Carlson.  “We are very excited to be working with LeadingRE member companies, providing their sales associates with a platform to market across the web.”

To learn more about AdWerx, visit www.Adwerx.com.

To learn more about Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®, visit www.LeadingRE.com.

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Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® has expanded its global membership with the addition of 34 firms with 85 offices and over 2,000 sales associates year-to-date in 2014. The invitation-only network is comprised of more than 500 of the best-known local and regional real estate firms, with 3,500 offices and 120,000 sales associates in the U.S. and nearly 50 other countries.

The network’s newest North American members include Greenwood King Properties (Houston, TX); Castelli Real Estate Services (Ft. Lauderdale, FL); Circa Properties (St. Louis, MO); Weichert Lake Realty (Gold Canyon, AZ); Campbell Realty (Marysville, CA); and Bowes & Cocks (Peterborough, ON, Canada). Internationally, the most recent additions are Ayikcan Real Estate (Istanbul, Turkey); INOWAI Residential (Luxembourg, Luxembourg); Kampmeyer Immobilien GMBH (Koln, Germany); Akivnta Real Estate Broking & Advisory Services Private Limited (Mumbai, India); Fonnegra Gerlein (Bogota, Columbia); Estela Exclusive Homes (Ibiza, Spain); and Today’s Realty (Dededo, Guam).

“We have had a tremendous recruiting year thus far, growing our network with an impressive group of firms from around the world,” said Pam O’Connor, president/CEO of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®. “These companies find value in our unique business model, which allows them to remain independent and continue to build on their strong local brands, while benefiting from our extensive global connections and resources.”

Other prestigious U.S. firms joining the network this year include: Amelia Island Plantation Real Estate (Amelia Island, FL), Bosshardt Realty Services (Gainesville, FL), Candice M. Skinner Real Estate (Leesville, LA), Dowden-Hinn Realtors (Spirit Lake, IA), J. Barrett & Company, LLC (Beverly, MA), Kentucky Select Properties (Louisville, KY), Meybohm Realtors (Augusta, GA), MKB, REALTORS (Roanoke, VA), Scott Tobias Real Estate (Bakersfield, CA), Silver Creek Real Estate Group (Cashiers, NC), Stovall Realtors (Abilene, TX), The Dillard Group (Norman, OK), and Vista Encantada, (Albuquerque, NM). In Canada, new firms are Bosley Real Estate (Toronto, ON) and Tradewinds Realty (Chester, NS).

In Latin America and the Caribbean, the network has added Aruba Palms Realtors (Palm Beach, Aruba), Properties in Costa Rica        (Uvita de Osa, Puntarenas, Costa Rica) and VISTA Real Estate (Belize City, Belize). European firms include Avantgarde Properties (Vienna, Austria), Husaskjol Kópavogur (Kópavogur, Iceland) and Peikert Immobilien AG (Zug, Switzerland).

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® is the largest network of residential real estate firms, and network affiliates are widely recognized as the premier providers of quality residential real estate and relocation services. Collectively, these firms produced $314 billion in sales in 2013, with over one million transactions, which is over $47 billion more than the closest network competitor. Affiliates benefit from an extensive range of brokerage services, which include lead generation, cross-market referrals, branding support, luxury marketing, online exposure, technology systems, and industry-leading professional development.

To learn more, visit www.LeadingRE.com.

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Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® has expanded its presence in Canada, with the recent addition of Bowes & Cocks Limited, Brokerage in Peterborough, Ontario. The invitation-only network of 500+ residential real estate firms also welcomed Bosley Real Estate in Toronto and Tradewinds Realty in Chester, Nova Scotia earlier this year.

These firms join other Canadian members, including Advantage Real Estate Services in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan; CIR REALTY in Calgary, Alberta; DFH Real Estate in Victoria, British Columbia; Harvey Kalles Real Estate in Toronto, Ontario;   Macdonald Realty Ltd. In Vancouver, British Columbia; Profusion Realty Inc. in Westmount, Quebec; Sally McGarr Realty Corp. in St. Catharine’s, Ontario; and The Whistler Real Estate Co. in Whistler, British Columbia.

The network’s continued growth in Canada is a key initiative of the Chicago-based network, which has roots dating back to 1963 and now has coverage in nearly 50 countries worldwide. Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE) is the dominant force in North American residential real estate, with more sales units among the top 250 largest brokers in Canada and the top 250 in the U.S., according to REAL Trends Canadian 250 and REAL Trends 500.  Overall, the network is responsible for over 1,000,000 transactions valued at $314 billion in annual home sales annually.

LeadingRE’s unique business model offers a new alternative to Canadian brokers by providing  top-performing independent brokerages with the  tools and connections that would otherwise be available only from a franchise.  Services  include industry-leading programs for   referrals, branding support and global connections online exposure, technology systems, an online learning platform and conferences to foster professional development, a cutting-edge consumer reviews program, and affluent consumer marketing through Luxury Portfolio International®.

“Our growing roster of highly respected affiliates across Canada, combined with our legacy of leadership in the U.S.,  are resonating with brokers across Canada who want to build their own local / regional brand, while still having the resources and global connections of a major worldwide network,” said LeadingRE President and CEO Pam O’Connor. “We are thrilled to welcome our newest affiliates and are committed to adding more top firms as we share our compelling model with firms that share our vision.”

To learn more, visit www.LeadingRE.com.

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Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® has announced the appointment of Brent M. Williams as director, Network Services. In this role, Williams will oversee numerous member services and programs for the global network of 500+ market-leading real estate firms.

Working closely with Vice President, Network Services Erin Koops and the member services team, Williams will manage the RELO® Xchange referral management system, the U.S. Military on the Move™ program and the network’s annual awards, among other critical member-facing initiatives.

Prior to joining the company, Williams served as director of Relocation and Business Development for the fourth largest residential real estate brokerage in Chicago, where he was responsible for the strategic direction of the relocation and e-commerce departments. In this role, he maintained key relationships with relocation management companies, corporate clients and other real estate brokerages. Previous experience includes working for relocation management companies, where he coordinated all aspects of moves for military, affinity and corporate clients.

“Brent’s experience and service-oriented approach make him the ideal addition to our Member Services team,” said Koops. “Having worked in various leadership capacities for real estate firms and relocation companies, he brings a unique perspective that will help us ensure the quality and relevance of the services we bring our member firms.”

Williams is a licensed real estate broker and holds the Worldwide ERC® Certified Relocation Professional designation. Williams is based in the company’s Chicago headquarters and can be reached at bwilliams@LeadingRE.com or (312) 447-5914.

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HGTV has announced the winners of its Doory Awards, a month-long online contest on HGTV’s FrontDoor.com billed as “The Ultimate House Hunt.” The contest, which attracted nearly 50 million page views, featured extraordinary homes from around the world in ten distinct categories.

The winning homes, represented by members of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® and Luxury Portfolio International®, were selected by consumers who voted for their favorites among an elite group of finalists.

In the Waterfront Homes category, a stunning Gulf-front contemporary in Sarasota, Fla., represented by Michael Saunders & Company, won top honors. A modern houseboat from Seattle Wash. swept the Tiny Homes category, represented by Windermere Real Estate. In the International Homes category, a Balinese-inspired villa in Tortola, British Virgin Islands from Smiths Gore Limited earned distinction.

In the Historical Homes category, Ganly Walters’ Tulira Castle in Ardrahan, Ireland received the most votes. Howard Hughes’ historic retreat in Crystal Bay, Nev., represented by Chase International, was named the winner among the Celebrity Homes. In Gourmet Kitchens, a First Team Estates’ Irvine, Calif. home took the honors for a kitchen where “rustic meets elegant.” In Urban Homes, an impressive city-view estate in Honolulu, HI from Choi International won.

A home with a resort-style pool in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. from Premier Estate Properties, Inc. was picked as the favorite Outdoor Retreat. In the Spa Bathrooms category, the favorite was from a home in Pemberton, British Columbia, Canada, represented by The Whistler Real Estate Co. Drawing special attention in the “Your House Has WHAT?” category, a grand home theater in Slinger, Wis., from First Weber Group Realtors, earned the most votes.

In addition to bragging rights, the winning homes will receive additional editorial exposure on HGTV’s FrontDoor.com.

“We are so pleased with the extraordinary response to the 2014 Doory Awards,” said Rich Lacy, vice president, Emerging Brands for HGTV’s Home Category. “This year’s finalists were especially compelling, and we are pleased to give our viewers an inside look into these remarkable homes from around the world.”

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® (www.LeadingRE.com) is the largest network of top independent real estate brokerage firms, with more than 500 companies in nearly 50 countries worldwide. Luxury Portfolio International^® (www.LuxuryPortfolio.com) is the luxury face of LeadingRE, supporting member firms that specialize in the high end market.

To view the Doory Award winners, visit www.FrontDoor.com/doory.

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