The conference will be held in Halifax on Oct. 14 and 15
The Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association of Atlantic Canada will be hosting a conference on Oct. 14 and 15 in Halifax.
The fourth annual conference’s theme this year is ‘Brave New World,’ chosen to acknowledge the many changes, and opportunities, in the industry. Additionally, according to Co-owner of East Coast Mortgage Brokers Deanne Whelan, who attended for the first time last year, the conference is an excellent opportunity to meet lenders all under one roof.
“It was awesome last year,” she told MortgageBrokerNews.ca. “It was great for networking between other brokers in other provinces, which was really beneficial for co-brokering deals, and you get to see all of your lenders in one place, which is great because they don’t always travel to Newfoundland where I’m based.”
While lenders typically travel across the country, not all of them fly out to the east coast. Whelan says that’s one reason she’ll be attending CMBA Atlantic Canada’s conference next month.
“Our economy here on the east coast is different than Ontario’s or B.C.’s,” continued Whelan. “The lenders that we use go across Canada, but not all lenders across Canada will do the east coast. There are only a small number of lenders who lend here, so you need to foster strong relationships with those banks. We don’t have many options, so we utilize the options we do have.”
Given the tumult in the industry this year, Whelan says she is looking forward to discussing strategy with other brokerages.
“It’s great to have another point of view from other successful brokerages, and when you’re not in direct competition with a brokerage from, say, Halifax, they’re more open to talking about what’s helping them become successful,” she said.
Mortgage broker Janet McKeough volunteers with CMBA Atlantic Canada and says this year’s edition of the conference features relevant information for brokers and brokerages to grow their businesses, including understanding title insurance and marketing tips.
Martin Latulippe, a native of New Brunswick, is this year’s keynote speaker, and he intends to help attendees identify ways to cultivate their skills while also expanding business opportunities.
The trade show and gala will be the centrepieces of the conference, though.
“We are made up 100% of volunteers, primarily of mortgage brokers—the people who are doing the business, so we know what’s relevant,” said McKeough. “This year, we’re working on relationship building and exposure with consumers and industry partners, like real estate associations, lawyers, and financial advisers.
“When we develop those relationships, we can put them in touch with the right people who have experience and options. We’re always trying to promote the mortgage broker to our consumers and mortgage regulators.”
Community is as important to CMBA Atlantic Canada as drumming up business for its brokers, and through its Brokering Wishes initiative, the organization has been raising funds since last year’s conference to support children throughout the region.
