Leading the speakers this year is the Right Honourable Michael Portillo, Tory MP, TV historian and temporary single mum to four children in a BBC2 programme. Mr Portillo will talk on “What lies ahead? – The Economy, the Euro, the Property Market and the Future.” Michael, a well-known Eurosceptic, is guaranteed to present forthright and controversial views.
Also heading the line up of top-rank speakers are:
Walt MacDonald (President, National Association of Realtors, USA)
“Raising Commission Rates”
Paul Beckett (London Bureau Chief / European Finance and Markets Editor, Wall Street Journal)
“Overview of European Markets”
Stuart Jones (Price Waterhouse Cooper)
“The Commercial Property Marketplace”
Dr Andrew McLaughlin (Deputy Chief Economist, Royal Bank of Scotland)
“Is the Housing Market Safe?”
Dr Peter Warburton (Independent Economic Consultant / Director, Rhombus Research and Halkin Services)
“Economic Perspectives and Consumer Confidence”
Melfyn Williams (President, National Association of Estate Agents”
“Raising Standards of Professionalism”
Other expert speakers will cover many other important topics of interest to all UK based estate agents: regulation, Home Information Packs, employment laws, financial performance and measurement, taxation, business strategy and development, as well as motivational speeches on ‘stress-busting’ and seminars on developing business links throughout Europe and beyond.
The conference, expected to be attended by several hundred estate agents (both members and non-members of the NAEA), will be followed by a Grand Gala Dinner and Awards Night, with Clive Anderson, TV and radio celebrity, supplying a humorous after-dinner speech.
Peter Bolton King, Chief Executive of the NAEA, comments: “This year’s Congress is an event not to be missed. It is likely to be particularly vibrant, with many topical issues giving rise to hot debate. Will Home Information Packs add bureaucracy and cost to the sales process? We think so! Should estate agents be licensed professionals? We think so! And is the housing market heading for a crash? We definitely do not think so!
“All this and much, much more will be aired at our Annual Congress this month. The NAEA aspire to increase the professionalism and integrity of estate agents and this year we are celebrating the recent introduction of tough membership qualifications boosting the professionalism of estate agents yet further.”
