President’s Perspective: Spring 2018

Someone once said there are only three downsides to living in Chicago: January, February and March. Fortunately, amidst the brisk and sometimes dreary weather, March always gives us great reason to celebrate: our annual Sales Awards. Amidst the flash of the event, the honorees have worked tirelessly to achieve their goals. Congratulations to everyone who has achieved this momentous accomplishment. I am so inspired by our industry coming together to celebrate our shared successes. It is almost impossible to leave this event lacking a sense of hope and excitement as we look to the year ahead, and I can’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity our chosen profession affords us. As we admire those on stage and around the room, know that collectively, we represent a group of professionals who have a tangible impact on the communities we serve. The sheer number of transactions each year reflects the lives we touch. In commercial and in development, we help companies make decisions that impact not just investors, but also employees, their families and the surrounding communities. In residential, we are helping our clients realize the American Dream. What we do is amazing, and there is no better reason to celebrate. We also celebrate those of you who stepped up this year to protect our industry and private property rights through your support of RPAC. You give our industry’s voice great strength when faced with legislation that could hurt us and our clients. For your response to our calls for action and investment in protecting our livelihood, I thank you. 2018 is full of promise, and I look forward to seeing new names grace next year’s issue and new faces take the stage come March 2019. We live in a world of possibilities. Best of Luck, Rebecca Thomson, 2017-2018 President of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®