La Paz, BCS - Associated Realty of the Americas (AREA) is a small group of prominent and successful real estate practitioners. They are spread across North America.

The group was initially formed to carry out networking. Since its inception two other activities have become important. These are Conviviality: hosting cocktail receptions at the National Association of Realtors® midyear meeting and at the annual Conference and Expo; and Education: educational sessions held at the annual two day Conference.

AREA membership is by invitation only, and Mexico has two representatives. These are Linda Neil (La Paz) and Jay West (Los Cabos). Linda has been appointed to the 2016 Advisory Board.

Others on the Board include; Jo Kenney (Atlanta) Past President of The Women's Council of Realtors, Ron Phipps (Greenwich, R.I.) Past President of the National Association of Realtors® and Leslie Rouda Smith (Dallas) President of the Texas Association of Realtors, who has been elected Vice Chair and will be the Chair for 2017-2018. Leslie and her daughter Kristin participated on a panel at the Annual Conference in May. The theme was 'Generational Marketing and Selling,' with emphasis on the Millennium generation. Kristin is a rising real estate star in Dallas.

The AREA Board recently made two important decisions. First it has been decided to "cap" membership, currently at 120, at 140 members. Second is to hold the Annual Conference in Santa Barbara, CA., in June of 2017.

About the Author

John Glaab is Director, International Marketing at The Settlement Company, Mexico's oldest title and escrow company. A Certified International Property Specialist, he is a founding member of AMPI Los Cabos and the new Global Mexico Real Estate Institute. In 2012, John was named the International Real Estate Member of the Year by NAR. For further information, contact John at John.Glaab(at)settlement-co.com.