RE/MAX International turns 30

Thousands of affiliates with RE/MAX International have converged on Las Vegas for the company's 30th anniversary convention. About 10,000 people are expected to participate in the event, which runs through Thursday at the MGM Grand.

"We have 80,000 agents in 43 countries. The convention is a chance to pull as many together in one place, offer them educational opportunities, ... and see what's going on in the field," Margaret Kelly, RE/MAX International president, said recently from corporate headquarters in Denver.

"The main reason is a recharge."

Las Vegas agent Tracey Donley said the convention offers the opportunity to get back to basics and the "essence of what RE/MAX is all about."

She called the entire convention a learning experience and said she specifically appreciates the opportunity to talk with agents from other parts of the nation and world about their business practices.

"I'm always asking questions. I'm like a sponge when it comes to that kind of stuff. I want to know where there might be a lapse in understanding of local customs ... What is customary on the East Coast may not be customary here, and vice versa," Donley said.

"Anything I can learn, if it will benefit my client, then I will go and do it," the 11-year veteran of the business said.

"One of the biggest things they have, besides meeting other agents, is they offer all sorts of education courses ... RE/MAX, as an organization, is trying to raise the bar. It really does promote its agents and keep them educated about what's going on in the market," Donley said.

With the exception of keynote speakers, all panelists and speakers are affiliated with the company, Bill Echols, RE/MAX International's vice president of public relations, said.

"They are RE/MAX brokers and agents who share their successes with fellow workers. That's why we've had 360 months of continuous growth," Echols said.

"Nothing is hidden," Kelly added, saying that fellow agents are eager to share what practices worked for them, and what did not and why.

A first this year will be a course offering a Certified Luxury Homes Marketing Specialist designation. Classes designed for those who specialize in commercial property listings, as well as sessions about business practices, also are scheduled.

Dave Liniger, international chairman and co-founder, will speak at the opening general session. Kelly described the session as "a kind of state-of-the-union address" about the business and industry. If there are any major announcements to be made "he will let us know then."

Other convention highlights are keynote addresses by University of South Carolina football Coach Lou Holtz, who led Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988; Frank Maguire, a former top executive with American Airlines, Federal Express and KFC; Stuart Varney, host of the weekly "The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board with Stuart Varney" on CNBC; and best-selling business author Kerry Johnson.

Among the activities are a "Fun Night," a private concert featuring Glenn Frey of the Eagles and Jim Belushi's Sacred Heart Band; and the annual golf tournament to benefit Children's Miracle Network.

Kelly said advance registration shows large contingents of affiliates from Europe, Africa and Australia will attend the convention. Local agents tend to register at the event itself, she noted.

"We're expecting this convention to be our biggest ever," Mike Reagan, RE/MAX International vice president of conventions, said. "We're hoping attendance will surpass our previous record of 9,200 set at the 25th anniversary convention in 1998."

The company, founded in 1973, also held its first convention in Las Vegas. Twenty-six affiliates attended the event in 1976.

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