PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Looking Back,
Moving Forward
One of the tools I use is a brochure
produced by the association that provides
information about Orlando’s allure as a
destination for international real estate and
economic investment. “Focus Orlando”
is available for all members to download
and use in their own marketing efforts. It’s
located on orlandorealtors.org/international
under the Tools and Resources header.
Like it did for many of you, Hurricane
Irma presented a tremendous challenge
to our association, to our market (sales
dropped 20 percent in September while new
listings fell 31 percent), and to our community
as a whole.
The hurricane wreaked havoc on the
ORRA building on Lee Road, rendering it uninhabitable
for more than a month. Thanks
to a generous offer from Dick Fryer, operations
and classes were quickly relocated
down the street to the offices and classrooms
of IFREC.
The good news is that repairs on the
ORRA building have almost been completed,
air quality tests have been passed, and staff
is back at their own desks. However as of
press time classes were still taking place at
IFREC while renovations of the conference
center finish up, so please read your ORRA
e-mails and check the ORRA website for
location alerts.
Finally, the retirement of ORRA
Chief Executive Officer Jacque Stanly after
more than 40 years with the association is
certainly worth mention (read her farewell
message on page 10). Her support during
my presidency has been invaluable, as it has
been to all those who came before me. Our
incoming president, Lou Nimkoff, will have
the honor of initiating the association’s new
CEO, and I look forward to being part of that
announcement in the coming months.
Of course, no president can lead an
association like ORRA without a corps of
volunteers who make things happen. I’d like
to extend my gratitude to each committee
chairman and committee member for their
work on our many programs and events,
and of course to the board of directors and
my fellow leadership team members for
their wisdom and guidance throughout the
year.
I’m fully confident that Lou and the 2018
leadership team will guide us through the
next year with thoughtfulness and consideration
for the best interest of ORRA’s membership.
Thank you for having graced me
with the opportunity to have served as your
president this past year. My door will continue
to be open to you as I remain on the
board as immediate past president; please
do not hesitate to contact me at bruce@
yourhomepartner.com.
It’s hard to believe that my year
serving as your president is already
coming to a close. I’ve been reflecting
back on those experiences over the
past 12 months that stand out the most,
and here’s what has floated to the top.
Throughout the year, I took great
pleasure and pride in representing our
members, our industry, and our city to
audiences around the nation and the
world. I’ve educated attendees and
participants on the benefits of investing
in Orlando real estate at events such as:
• The FIABCI-USA International Real
Estate Federation International Symposium
in New York City;
• REALTOR® Quest in Toronto;
• The World Economic Forum in Miami;
• An NAR trade mission to Chi Min City,
Vietnam;
• An NAR trade mission to Panama
City, Panama;
• The FIABCI-USA International Real
Estate Federation World Convention
in Greece (next month); and
• The Orange County Property Appraiser
State of Orange County Real Estate
in Orlando.
4 Orlando REALTOR® November / December 2017