In May 1908, 120 men gathered at a YMCA hall in Chicago with the goal to “unite the real estate men of America” and turn the fledgling real estate business into a profession. What emerged from that meeting was the National Association of Real Estate Exchanges, which today thrives as the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR), America’s largest trade association representing more than 1.2 million members.
“May marks our official 100-year anniversary,” says Richard F. Gaylord, 2008 NAR president. “We need to take a moment to savor our collective accomplishments in the past 100 years, and at the May meetings, we’ll be doing just that. But we’ll also be talking about what comes next, how we want our second century to look. It’s by remembering the past, but keeping an eye on the future, that we’ll keep this organization strong.”
Centennial Gala Celebration
For 100 years, NAR and its members have established homeownership as a cornerstone of the American Dream and advocated private property rights as one of the fundamental principles that unite us as Americans. NAR has made the real estate transaction more transparent by nurturing the creation of MLSs and pushing for agency and property disclosure laws. And throughout NAR’s history, brokers and agents have been great community builders who have given back in time of need, for example, following Hurricane Katrina.
Join in NAR’s Centennial Celebration during the 2008 REALTORS® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo, May 12-17, in Washington, D.C. On Wednesday, May 14, NAR will host a gala, black-tie dinner at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, which starts at 7 p.m. with a cocktail reception. Tickets are $150 per person and can be purchased when you register for the Midyear Meetings.
The Ballroom Foyer at the Midyear Meetings & Trade Expo will feature NAR’s Centennial Time Line, which shows how NAR has promoted professionalism, private property rights, and equal housing opportunity.
Visit the new NAR booth at the Trade Expo
Thousands of REALTORS® will attend the Midyear Trade Expo, May 14-16. With more than 200 exhibitors, it’s a great opportunity to get ideas on how to increase productivity and profits. You can meet experts and get hands-on experience with the latest products and services in the real estate industry.
While at the Expo, be sure to visit the new and expanded NAR booth, which, for the first time this year, will integrate all areas of NAR’s Government Affairs Division, including the Realtors® Political Action Committee (RPAC), NAR Action Center, Housing Opportunity, Diversity, Regulatory & Industry Relations and more.
In addition, brokers and their agents can come to NAR’s booth #1707 to have their photos added to the NAR Centennial “Face of Real Estate for 100 Years” mosaic or to locate their images if they have already uploaded a photo.
You can also browse a variety of Centennial merchandise, pins, and publications, including NAR’s new book, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®: 100 Years in Celebration of the American Dream. As a Realtor, you’ll save 10% on Realtor Benefits® Publications (excluding new titles) and learn about value-added offers and savings from the Realtor Benefits® Program.
You can also take an active role in advancing the industry, public policy agenda, and the association at NAR’s new booth. Send a message to Congress through the Realtor Action Center. Pick up “The REALTOR® Message,” which includes information on legislative activities, the latest from Information Central, updates from the REALTORS® Commercial Alliance, and more. And promote the REALTOR® message with merchandise from REALTOR Team Store®.
Visit www.REALTOR.org/Centennial for more information.
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www.REALTOR.org/Centennial
www.REALTOR.org/midyear.nsf
www.REALTOR.org/Store
