MBiz

MANITOBA REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION S ince its establishment in 1949, the Manitoba Real Estate Association (MREA) has been at the forefront of innovation in the world of real estate. This was exemplified through the creation of Manitoba Tipi Mitawa, an Indigenous home ownership program, and through hosting the first Certified International Property Specialist leadership invitational outside the United States. Now MREA is going global, with the launch of the MREA Global Business Council, the first global business council in Canadian real estate. Global business councils first started in the mid-1990s in the United States. There are now over 125 in the U.S, with many international partnerships signed. The purpose of global business councils is to drive business opportunities to the province and our members through education, strategic partnerships, networking, and resource-sharing. "According to the Canadian Real Estate Association's most recent member survey, 35 per cent of Manitoba REALTORS® worked with an international client in the past year," said Harry DeLeeuw, inaugural chair of the MREA Global Business Council. "The real estate business, like all businesses, is increasingly a global competition, and we all need to be working together if we are to be successful." With over 1.4 million REALTORS® across North America, MREA members are part of a strong network of community and business leaders located throughout the continent. The MREA Global Business Council is based on three strategic pillars aimed to engage and empower members to grow global business, foster partnerships and strategic relationships, and to drive thought leadership and advocacy. "We have so many strengths in Manitoba that we can build on together," added MREA CEO David Salvatore. "Our strong diversified economy provides opportunities for people in many sectors, and our affordable real estate gives us a natural advantage over many jurisdictions. We want to leverage our members' expertise and work with other partners to attract business, investment, and people to Manitoba." As a smaller province, Manitoba relies on investment and immigration. With well over 10,000 immigrants entering the province per year, Manitoba increasingly benefits from being a multi-culturally diverse province. The global business council will look to work with Manitoba's cultural communities and business leaders, to build stronger linkages, and further opportunities for capitalization. Economic development benefits everyone, and REALTORS® are primed to carry the Manitoba message to the world. By forming Canadian real estate's first global business council, MREA continues to demonstrate leadership on the national and international stage. ■ DRIVING OPPORTUNITIES TO OUR PROVINCE Manitoba Real Estate Association launches global business council

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