On behalf of CADREB, I was fortunate to be able to attend this year's annual CREA's AGM leadership summit in Ottawa April 1-3. The theme for this year's conference was CREATING our FUTURE: Leadership through Collaboration.
 
Daytime Friday I took part in two Leadership Training sessions with fellow leaders from across Canada. I found these sessions to be very informative as well as interactive. In the evening, I attended a retirement dinner for CREA's CEO, Pierre Beauchamp, who after 28 years has decided it was time to spend more time with his family. It was a great evening of tribute to Pierre for all he has done for CREA and its members.

On Saturday morning, we were back at it bright and early for the open forum AGM. It was time to say goodbye to a few past directors, as well as our 2010 President, and to welcome in their replacements. We welcomed Gary Morse, as our 2011 CREA President. One of the directors we welcomed in was Moss Maloney soon to be past President of BCREA; Moss is our newly instated BC representative director for CREA...Good luck Moss, and congratulations on behalf of CADREB.

In the 2010 financial report we heard that that CREA is one of Canada's largest single-industry trade associations, representing over 101,000 ( a 3% increase over 2009) real estate Brokers/agents and salespersons working through more than 100 Real Estate Boards and Associations. 

The real excitement began when we discussed the amendment to rule 2 - Qualifying For Membership, section 2.1 - Boards and Associations, be amended by adding a new 2.1.2 that reads: "CREA's Data Distribution Facility (DDF) whereby each Board/Association shall comply with CREA's Data Distribution Facility Policy as amended from time to time".

Currently REALTORS® throughout the country are sending MLS® listing information to numerous websites in order to market themselves and their listings. The concern with this is accuracy of listings being posted and/or not being properly maintained once on a site by updating information. By the approval of this amendment, CREA would become the National “distributor” for this site, ensuring that information is correct and current. The DDF will be permission based and will consist of three modules;
1-the National Shared Module, which will enable brokers to contribute their listings on a National level;
2-the Private DDF Module, enabling brokers and salespersons to create Private Websites.
3-the Third Party Module, enabling participating brokers and salespersons to distribute their listings to third party websites outside organized real estate, such as Kijiji and Craigslist.

The debate was heated and lengthy. But after much debate, the bylaw change was accepted as written whereby the DDF be approved and implemented and that CREA move forward with the implementation of the DDF on behalf of its members. This vote required a double majority vote in order to pass. The members voted and the outcome was in favor of the motion, and so forward we move. Stay tuned for more from CREA in the near future.

Sunday morning, we were back at it as we collectively looked and discussed "Creating our Future" for organized Real Estate in Canada. Facilitators; Charles Holmes and Nicole Boyer, proceeded to walk us through where we have been, where we are, and where we could be in the future. Presentations by Data Activist, David Eaves, and Real Estate Futurist, Stefan Swanepoel, helped us to think beyond our current boundaries and to be open to change or be left behind. This day was a day of encouragement to me as it showed that CREA is always working to evolve and to bring knowledge to our members by showing us how to improve and grow our business.

So after four long days of meetings it was with mixed emotions that it came to an end, but it was time to get home and get back to work.

Ciao for now,
Mark