IAR Convention & Expo

Contact:
Mary Schaefer/Ann Londrigan
217-529-2600

Illinois REALTORS® Assemble at the
Annual IAR Convention in Lombard, Sept. 16-18

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – REALTORS® and other real estate professionals from throughout Illinois will gather September 16 – 18, 2009, for the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) 93rd Annual Convention and Expo at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center in Lombard.

This year’s convention, themed “Year of the Professional: Redefining the Industry,” will showcase the latest in real estate trends while offering REALTORS® the educational training they need to succeed in today’s market including getting buyers to buy and sellers to sell, effective communication and marketing, financial and tax planning, using social media tools to boost business and top producer tips. Featured speakers include negotiation pro Steve Harney, real estate marketing expert Joe Sesso, top trainer Kim Daugherty, plus tax expert Chris Bird and noted real estate commentator Paul Lisnek.

“lllinois real estate agents and brokers will learn from national trainers and experts about the latest educational, training and even social networking strategies they need as professionals to get ahead and succeed in this evolving market,” said IAR President Pat Callan. “The top real estate vendor expo will also highlight the newest marketing, technology and industry tools available to the real estate industry.”

REALTORS® have the opportunity to earn up to six hours of continuing education (CE) credit toward their licensing requirements with two CE classes. Instructor Chandra Hall will highlight new financing guidelines and options with her class, “New Financing Realities for a New Market,” on September 16, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Instructor Lynn Madison will walk REALTORS® through license law and escrow with her class, “Agency, License Law and Escrow: Welcome to Runamuck Realty” on September 18, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Top vendors serving the Illinois real estate industry will showcase their products and services in a state-of-the-art trade expo. Hours for the expo are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on September 17, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on September 18. A Virtual Expo is available after August 14th on the IAR Web site, www.illinoisrealtor.org/convention/expo.

Inaugural gala activities include a reception, dinner and dance in honor of the incoming 2010 IAR officers. The incoming officers are President Michael Onorato, GRI, broker-owner of Onorato Real Estate in Coal City; President-Elect Sheryl Grider, ABR, CRB, GRI, development and operations coordinator for Traders Realty in Peoria; Treasurer Loretta Alonzo, GRI, CRB, broker-owner of Century 21 Alonzo & Associates, La Grange Park.

For more information about the 2009 IAR Convention and Expo, visit the Illinois Association of REALTORS® Web site at www.illinoisrealtor.org or call 217-529-2600.

IAR Members registering by August 12 get the early-bird rate of $119. Advance registration before September 2 is $129 for members and $169 for non-members. Walk-in registration for the full convention is $139 for members and $169 for non-members. Walk-in, one-day registration is $99 for members and $109 for non-members and trade show-only registration is $34.

The Illinois Association of REALTORS® is a voluntary trade association whose 50,000 members are engaged in all facets of the real estate industry. In addition to serving the professional needs of its members, the Illinois Association of REALTORS® works to protect the rights of private property owners in the state by recommending and promoting legislation that safeguards and advances the rights of real property ownership.

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