2007 AMPI Conference, A Truly International Event

By John Glaab, CIPS

The Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals (AMPI) celebrated its XXXVIth Annual Conference, October 28 - November 4, 2007, this year on the high seas. This was not the only factor, contributing to this international assembly. The National Association of Realtors® and its members were active at the Conference. More than forty Realtors® participated in the events.

The Carnival Pride set sail from Los Angeles, California, on a Sunday. The next day, the inauguration was held as the ship headed for its first stop in Mazatlan, Mexico. As part of the opening ceremonies, Charles McMillan First Vice-President of the National Real Association (NAR) addressed the conference. He was followed by Jose Manuel Galinda from Madrid, Spain. Jose Manuel and AMPI President Mario Aviles signed a document of affiliation between the Real Estate Association of Madrid and AMPI.

Norma Figueroa, from AMPI, Hermosilla received the Medal of Honor and lengthy applause. She was the driving force behind the licensing act passed in Sonora. The government of Sonora will subsidize tuition for AMPI members wishing to study for the real estate license.( Coahuila is the second state to award licensing to real estate professionals who are members of AMPI.)

On the first day of the conference, two NAR courses were presented. “Doing Business in Mexico, Part I” was presented by co authors of the course, Adrian Arriaga from McAllen Texas and Linda Neil from La Paz, BCS. They were joined by James Maddox, Past President of the Nevada Association of Realtors. Both sessions were presented in the Butterfly Salon. This prompted Linda Neil to say, “First time I have ever taught a class in a bar!”

Rounding out the day were two rather interesting sessions. One was, “How the good turn into the best.” And “Negotiating like a Phoenician.” Simultaneous translation was available for these and several other sessions.

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On Tuesday, Part II of “Doing Business in Mexico,” was offered. Again a full house for this popular course. Another NAR course, “Transnational Certification” was also offered on Tuesday. Fifty-two realtors® qualified for their certificate. This is a process where agents are assured of receiving commissions when completing an International transaction. The course will be offered in Panama in December. I am told the number of transations taking place with the use of Global Properties.com has increased significantly.

Puerto Vallarta was the port of call on Wednesday. The AMPI Section there provided a tasty buffet at a local five star hotel. Next, a bus tour of the Vallarta market. The afternoon was free and at six o’clock, the ship weighed anchor. That evening a Halloween party was held and Noche de Muertos was celebrated. Thursday was Mazatlan and AMPI’s Annual General Assembly. It took place in the auditorium at the Chamber of Commerce. A feature of this session was an address by Deputada Federal, Martha Garcia Muller. Señora Muller is championing the new real estate licensing law with her colleagues in the Mexican Congress Ten new members were elected to the National Advisory Board. They represent a good cross section of the Republic. The new members will replace ten who have finished the normal two-year term. Linda Neil of La Paz will return for a second term. Pedro Trueba of Mexico City was elected Vice-President. President Mario Aviles made his final address. He outlined the progress and growth made by AMPI in 2007 and the success of having the department of education recognize real estate as a profession. Mario will leave office in January. The incoming President is Sergio Duenas of Guadalajara. It was decided, at the Assembly to hold next years Conference in the Maya Riviera.

Following a bus tour of their community, the Mazatlan Section and the state Department of Tourism sponsored a luncheon in a night club setting. Entertainment featured folkloric dancers, a mariachi singer and a troop of colorfully costumed dancers who performed a ritual which included climbing a tall post and descending using ropes.

On Friday the good ship Carnival Pride arrived in Cabo San Lucas. The local Section had organized a trade show at the dock. Real Estate Companies from Los Cabos and La Paz participated in the event. A tour was conducted with buses taking the groups up the corridor to San Jose. Of course as the buses approached San Jose, they stopped to allow a photo opportunity of the spectacular view of the coast heading toward Punta Gordo.

On return to Cabo San Lucas, the AMPI Section had arranged a Mexican Fiesta with Mexican style food and even a Mariachi band. (The site was a delicatessen called Greenberg’s) One delegate was overheard saying tongue-in- cheek, “Wow, you could almost believe you were in Mexico.”

Saturday, on the way to Los Angeles, three sessions were held, ”Real Estate before the sub prime crisis,” “Real Estate and the Internet-the good, the bad and the ugly,” and “Your professional executive image.” Saturday afternoon the closing ceremony was held and then a gala dinner.

About the author: John Glaab has been a member of NAR’s International Section for over a decade. He has earned the Certified International Property Specialist designation and is a founding member of AMPI Los Cabos. He spends half the year in La Paz, Baja California Sur and the other half in Uruapan, Michoacan. For further information
John.glaab@settlement-co.co

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