Our future is bright

When I look ahead at the long path we must travel to be recognised as a profession, I don’t despair. I know with certainty that we will achieve our goal.

Why? Because I see the outstanding calibre of the agents we’re fortunate to count amongst our ranks, including this year’s REINSW Awards for Excellence finalists and those at our annual Industry Summit.

Celebrating excellence

October is always an exciting time of the year for REINSW as we celebrate the achievements of the best of the best with our annual Awards for Excellence. There’s always a tremendous buzz across the industry when we announce the finalists and that buzz reaches fever pitch by the time we announce the winners at the Gala Dinner.

The excitement and buzz have multiplied this year as we mark the 20th year of the Awards for Excellence. The Awards have always been held in the highest esteem, recognising practitioners from across the spectrum of specialisations of our industry in NSW. They are the longest running real estate industry awards program in NSW and, I believe, the most meaningful.

I could not be more proud to be President as the Awards for Excellence turn 20. Winning the Residential Sales category at the inaugural Awards for Excellence all those years ago holds a special place in my heart and I’m looking forward to announcing the names of all the winners at the Gala Dinner on 5 October 2017.

There are lots of industry awards out there now, but the REINSW Awards for Excellence differs in one very significant way. We focus on quality, not quantity. Our Awards have never been about who sold the most property, who has the biggest rent roll or who manages the biggest office tower. 

They are called the Awards for Excellence for very good reason. They are about excellence in service, creativity, initiative and commitment, and the winners are selected for their achievements at the highest level. They focus on professional skills and behaviours and how these are executed. I believe this is what sets our Awards apart from other programs.

I’m by no means denigrating these other awards. I’ve been the very fortunate recipient of some of them over the years. But my REINSW Awards for Excellence are particularly special because I know the judging adheres to a rigorous methodology and anyone entering can be assured of their integrity.

I’d like to congratulate all this year’s finalists and I look forward to seeing you at the Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner.

Agents of the future

Some of the best and brightest of our industry came together at REINSW’s annual Industry Summit on 1 September 2017. The theme of the Summit this year was “future agent” and our attendees were drawn from the incredibly talented pool of younger agents who are the future of our industry.

As we walk the pathway towards professionalism, it’s essential that we engage the younger of our ranks as they are the ones who will be both the beneficiaries of the work we are doing now and our future standard bearers.

The Summit generated energetic discussion from all those in attendance and it was fabulous to see the level of investment they have not just in the future of their own careers, but in the future of the entire industry. Keep an eye out for a rundown of the Summit in the next edition of the Journal.

John Cunningham
REINSW President