Every year, a new face adorns the TRREB presidential portrait wall. To be the President of Canada’s largest real estate board is an industry honour, a personal achievement, and a commitment to the profession and the public. The leadership and vision of each President has made TRREB the vibrant and diverse organization that it is today.
Post Theme: TRREB Members Join Together
Introduction of the Trust in Real Estate Services Act
On a provincial level, in 2019, TRREB applauded the provincial government’s actions to update the regulation for those who trade in real estate in Ontario, including REALTORS®. This update will help to enhance professional standards, create a more fair and efficient business environment, and better protect consumers. In February 2020, the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2020 passed Third Reading in the Ontario legislature with unanimous support. This legislation permits personal real estate corporations for salespeople and brokers which TRREB has advocated since 2005.
CREA Outstanding PAC Team Award
TRREB was awarded the CREA Outstanding PAC Team Award for the second consecutive year during the 2012 PAC Days Conference in Ottawa. This award recognizes and honours volunteer initiative and enterprise in advancing federal REALTOR® issues. It is presented on an annual basis to a real estate Board or Association which has made an outstanding contribution to CREA’s Federal Affairs initiatives.
MLS® System Listing Public-Facing Website
TRREB.ca is the trusted source for local real estate. Real time listings, exposure to 60,000 REALTOR® users, board news, and market statistics are all available to the public. Shortcuts to TRREB’s social media feeds are listed here as well. TRREB.ca is the latest in a long string of technological offerings for the public.
REALTOR® QUEST
Member education and large-scale networking come together every year at REALTOR® QUEST. Now in its twentieth year, more than 10,000 real estate professionals attend the event, Canada’s largest real estate conference and trade show. The 2019 event included a record 275 trade show exhibitors, a new TRREB Central information area, an Innovation Hub, an RQ Pop-Up Shop, and more than 20 professional development sessions.
TRREB’s Newspaper Committee
For many years, Real Estate News (REN) was a vital part of TRREB’s promotional activities. It seemed as if the REN boxes were on every street corner throughout the GTA. A combination of ads and news on Toronto’s real estate community, REN was the primary method that Members directly spoke with their communities in the pre-internet days. Pictured (left to right) are Editor Jim Adair, Giselle Caron, George Burger, Janet Connell, Myron Chabursky, David Rossi, Gayle Nisbet, Martti Hyhko, and Chuck Ruttan. Pictured in front are Len Cassidy (left), Vice Chair and Robert Case (right), Chair.
Travelling with TREB
TRREB was not all work, no play. From the very outset of the organization, travel for business and personal reasons was a part of TRREB’s commitment to collegiality. In the ’60s and ’70s, organized trips to various international locations were a part of Member benefits, including trips to the Caribbean and Asia.
TRREB’s Public Relations
Depicted here are two examples of promotional materials for TRREB’s trade shows.
Women’s Division
In 1960, the Women’s Committee was established to “encourage its Members to take a more active part in all real estate functions, to promote attendance and to stimulate a wider interest in Board affairs generally.” Sadie Moranis, the first female TRREB President, was a past Chairman.
The Women’s Division was dissolved in 1985, much to the chagrin of its Members. At that time, a petition was gathered of more than 500 signatures to keep the group intact. Though the Board of Directors at the time felt that there should not be any committees based on “sexual biases,” the Women’s Committee Members disagreed. Ms. Moranis stated that, “Women need the help of other women who have been up the ladder. When women have 38 per cent of the director positions, then we might be willing to give up our division.” (September 21, 1985, Globe and Mail).
Listings Magazine
Over the years, TRREB has benefited from a strong Member communications heritage. Monthly magazines, (e.g., Listings, REALTOR®), reports and even daily newsletters (TREB Reporter) have won numerous real estate industry and public relations industry awards. TRREB has been at the forefront of providing board news, industry statistics, and best practices for all of its 100 years.