With support from its mortgage partners, Betterbond and Standard Bank, the first of the RE/MAX awards breakfast series was held in Port Elizabeth on Monday for the Eastern Cape region, hosted by internationally renowned speaker, Michael Jackson.

Before the awards were presented, Adrian Goslett, CEO and Regional Director of RE/MAX of Southern Africa took to the stage to present the focus and direction the company will be taking in 2010 to the group of RE/MAX Broker/Owners, Sales Associates and staff.

“This will be the year of opportunity,” said Goslett, “a year in which we all need to focus on our willingness to succeed.” The willingness to succeed, even in tough times, became evident when he spoke of the year’s successes to date, despite the fact that it is only just over a month old. “So far this year the group has seen 55 new agents join the RE/MAX of Southern Africa brand as well as 10 returning to the brand. Franchise sales have also been exceptional, with six franchises sold in five weeks in the Gauteng, Western Cape and Mpumalanga regions.”

In Jackson’s one-on-one with Peter Gilmour, Founder and Chairman of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, this real estate company’s position to claim further success and growth in 2010 became even more evident.

Late in 2009, the southern Africa Franchise Operations were re-acquired by the original founders of RE/MAX in Southern Africa, Peter and Val Gilmour, under a new Master Franchise Agreement. With more than 20 years of experience with RE/MAX under the belt, Peter and Val returned to South Africa firstly because it is home to them, and secondly as they felt there are great opportunities in the South African property market and now was the right time to give RE/MAX of Southern Africa additional support for its growth plans.

For the past seven years Peter Gilmour has worked at the Denver Headquarters of RE/MAX International holding the position of Senior Vice President of Franchise Sales, overseeing the franchise growth of RE/MAX Worldwide. He said the experience of growing the company by around 40 000 agents and working with visionary leaders of real estate ranked among the most exciting moments of his career in the property industry.

Talking to Jackson about RE/MAX of Southern Africa’s current position in the market, Gilmour was upbeat about its future. “November 2009 was a great month for us,” he said, “with our sales figures comparative to those reached in the boom times of 2007. This is clear evidence that the market is picking up and we have a promising future ahead.”

These figures could not have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of the RE/MAX Broker/Owners, their Sales Associates and support staff. The Port Elizabeth awards ceremony saw no less than 40 awards handed over to the region’s top performers. The winning Sales Associates and Broker/Owners were ranked in various tiered categories, namely 100% Club, Executive Club, Platinum Club and Chairman’s Club, all of which are based on sales concluded over a 12 month period.

Twelve Executive Club winners and 16 100% Club winners were rewarded for their impressive sales over the last 12 months while Graham Anley, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Prime Properties received the Platinum Club Award for his exceptional performance and both Kobie Potgieter and Jean Rodgerson received Chairman’s Club awards for their exceptional sales performance.

In the Career and Special Awards Categories Stoffel van Huyssteen was presented with a Hall of Fame award for the extraordinary success he has achieved during his career with RE/MAX.

Success could not be achieved without the assistance and dedication of support staff, for which Carla Marucci of RE/MAX Coastal was awarded as the Regional Office Administrator of the year.

Article from: www.remax.co.za