The wait is nearly over ahead of April 28’s much-anticipated event at Toronto's Liberty Grand
After months of anticipation, the wait is nearly over. We’re just weeks away from the 2022 Canadian Mortgage Awards (CMAs), set to take place at a sold-out Liberty Grand in Toronto on April 28 for the first time as an in-person event since 2019.
Tickets for the occasion sold out well over a month in advance, an indication of just how much the mortgage industry is looking forward to reconnecting in person and coming together to toast the standout performers of the past year.
Now entering their 16th year, the CMAs are set to showcase the top brokerages, brokers, lenders, BDMs, underwriters and more across Canada for their amazing achievements throughout a year that’s seen no letup in the relentless pace of the country’s mortgage market.
The ceremony will be held with event partner Coalition of Independent Mortgage Brokers of Canada (CIMBC), whose founder and CEO John Bargis (pictured below) told Canadian Mortgage Professional that anticipation couldn’t be higher for the gala event.
“After a long two-year hiatus from the ability to socially interact with industry professionals in person at the awards gala of the year, CIMBC is very excited about partnering with the CMAs for this year’s extra special sold-out event,” he said.
“I’m personally very much looking forward to seeing and networking with many friends and industry professionals at the prestigious Liberty Grand, in celebration of all the successes of 2021.”
Bargis said the fact that bookings for the event had sold out so quickly illustrated the added significance of the 2022 CMAs, with the event having been held virtually for the past two years because of the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read more: Canadian Mortgage Awards – the race is on
Mortgage professionals are well aware of the value of being able to finally gather in person again, he added, for face-to-face interaction and networking that weren’t possible throughout the pandemic era.
“I think the early sell-out of the CMAs speaks to the significance of the return of an in-person event, which was a main catalyst in CIMBC’s decision to step up and partner,” he said.
“This year is so important with all that we’ve experienced over the last couple of years, [and] CIMBC just couldn’t pass on the opportunity to get together with many of our own broker partners and industry associates to rejoice and be grateful for all we’ve achieved through a very challenging time.”
On the evening, winners will be announced across a range of different categories, with highly coveted new prizes including the Best Media Campaign of the Year award and new gongs for the best regional brokers across the country.
CIMBC is sponsoring the alternative and private lender BDM of the year awards, with Bargis noting the importance of recognizing and celebrating the leading business development managers across the industry.
“First and foremost, I’d like to congratulate all nominees and finalists in this category,” he said. “BDMs across the board play an important role in the success of the mortgage broker industry on multiple levels.
“They drive sales for both their broker partners and respective employers. They play the role of educators. They also have the power to motivate. But most importantly, we must always be mindful that they’re family people as well.”
Bargis said the complex suite of products and qualifying criteria in the alternative and private spaces often made the role of BDMs in those sectors a more challenging one, something that was evident from the significantly lower look-to-book closing ratios compared with the prime business.
Read more: 2022 Canadian Mortgage Awards – major changes coming
“One of our main points of focus when CIMBC was first created was to help brokers and agents alike identify and embrace the lucrative opportunities available in the alternative space,” he explained. “Today, I’m proud to say that CIMBC’s performance in the alternative space has significantly and successfully grown with our broker partners – with a very enviable look-to-book performance industry-wide.”
As the clock ticks down to the most eagerly anticipated mortgage industry event of the year, Bargis sounded a note of positivity and optimism for brokers gearing up for the challenges and opportunities of the future.
“Although our industry will face headwinds in the months that lie ahead, I urge everyone industry-wide to stay positive,” he said. “Mortgage brokers have demonstrated resilience and unprecedented growth, which will continue, but with change.”
Diversification will be an essential component of future growth for the brokering business, he added, representing the best way to prepare and navigate through the ever-changing mortgage and housing markets.
“Our industry has grown significantly over the last couple of years,” he said, “and I’m very enthusiastic and optimistic about the opportunities yet to come.”
