We are living in unique times: there is a worldwide financial crises and the state of the global future along with the increasing amount of unemployment are probably the most covered topics in the media these days.

The current global financial situation is also affecting trade associations and their members-especially in real estate. To survive, these organizations have to change the way they think and they have to change their actions to effectively build for the future.

With the words ‘standing still is going backwards’ in mind, FIABCI must also look towards the future and begin a new push towards success! And – becoming proactive within the real estate market can be part of the solution to sustain these tough economic times.

We do need structural partners, many individual members, and a vision for the near and distant future. Instead of focusing on the ‘we have to double our memberships’ or ‘we need more income,’ we have to rethink our strategy and our view on what our main purpose is -- what is our commitment and why do we exist? Once we have that answer, the rest will come. But an omelet is not made without breaking eggs: changes are difficult and they have to be taken before real and irreparable damage arises.

For FIABCI as an organization, marketing the benefits of membership effectively should be one of our key goals. For our members, attendance at our FIABCI and other events for networking and engaging in business transactions is another.

If we want new people and new energy in our organization, we need to come out and show the world we exist and demonstrate the value and visibility of our federation.

With this in my mind, I consulted with several FIABCI members including Julia Clement and Lisa Kurrass and Michaela Driver to discuss how to utilize FIABCI to conduct business in more effective manners. I wanted to be able to become involved in the future of FIABCI and its success. Julia discussed the dynamics of Cityscape agreement. For those of you who do not know ‘Cityscape’ is the leader of real estate business meetings in emerging markets around the world.

Our relationship with Cityscape seemed to be a natural -- the Cityscape business meetings needed more attendance. FIABCI could provide Cityscape an opportunity to offer attendance to FIABCI members to all their events. Although this is designed to support Cityscape, it is a wonderful benefit for FIABCI members. In addition, FIABCI would receive a promotional benefit, at no cost to our members, by receiving a stand to promote our great federation and to connect to that world. It is a wonderful opportunity -- FIABCI members can receive more visibility at places where thousands of Real Estate Professionals come together!

FIABCI Stand / Booth at Trade Fairs – Recruiting Network Activity
What are the Benefits to FIABCI to Be Involved?

"Income opportunities for FIABCI - New memberships – Co-Organizing of Fairs & Congress"

• Maximum Exposure for FIABCI and Membership Recruiting
• Forming of New Chapters, development of existing ones
• Increase Membership for the chapter
• Increase Attendance of FIABCI Congresses
• Increase Attendance of FIABCI University Classes
• Free tickets to congresses, especially for FIABCI speakers

Benefits to the FIABCI Membership:

• Existing members get to use the stand/booth at the trade fair to meet (professional) customers
• Investment Opportunities
• Business Opportunities
• Free Advertising (low profile)
• Free PR
• FIABCI recruiters who land a “big fish” receive rewards. FIABCI members who recruit sponsors and principal members receive incentives for their own traveling

Of course there is much more than the fantastic 10 Cityscape’s around the world, especially outside the emerging markets. Organizing a representation with FIABCI volunteers is something nobody else can do but us. There are many of us, we love our profession, and we like to do business, to meet people and to travel. That’s why we love international real estate, our colleagues and the reason why we created the ‘FIABCI Task Force Trade Fairs!’

Summary:

We need to be proactive as an organization because:

• New members = income for FIABCI
• The cost of the stand is free: let’s use it!
• Existing members and their projects benefit from the exposure
• FIABCI gains loyal sponsors and partners as life-long financial contributors
• FIABCI grows! With new chapters in new regions and with new members
• Let’s make fun and travel, combining learning, meeting people and doing business at last!
• The fairs we represented FIABCI already:
  
  • Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2009
  • Cityscape Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 2009
  • REALTY 2009 fair in Brussels
  • PROVADA 2009 Amsterdam
  • VIENNA REAL 2009 in Austria
  • MIPIM in Cannes
  • EXPO REAL in Europe
  • upcoming: Cityscape Dubai

Challenges:

There are several challenges with growth which include:

• Starting new chapters is a lot of work
• Support the new chapter resulting from the trade fair
• To find reliable, responsible committed FIABCI members to contribute time and work to grow our network trough professional Real Estate fairs and congresses.
• Financially: effective costs as travel, accommodations, incidental expenses should be reimbursed, self-supporting would be hardly possible on a long term.

In these economic times, it is important to be proactive instead of reactive and as you can see, the benefits that FIABCI members can receive from becoming involved with Cityscape are endless – both personally as well as professionally. So, we invite you to volunteer, become a coordinator or even an ambassador of this task force and travel for all these reasons and so many more…

If you are interested, please contact me and I will show you how to begin. It will be a “Win-win” for both FIABCI and yourself!

Cityscape Saudi Arabia, Dieter Aschoff

Abu Dhabi was Hendrik Nelde, TFTF FIABCI (Task Force Trade Fairs), FIABCI Pres. Belgium; László Gönczi, President Hungarian Chapter of FIABCI; Michaela Driver, CCIM.

Vienna Real was Dr. Julia Kalmar-Clement and Michaela Driver, CCIM. Metzger Realitaeten was an exhibitor.

Realty 2009 in Brussels with 2,000 + visitors was Hendrik Nelde, MRICS and Michaela Driver, CCIM and Patrice Spadone, Past Pres. Fiabci BE.