From the CEO: Global Opportunity Awaits

Andrew SimsGeneral News

Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people. – Steve Jobs

At the end of last year, the Dayton Area Board of REALTORS® embarked on a mission to educate our members about working with international clients right here in the Miami Valley. Part of that mission was also to expand this association’s impact and influence with area partners who are actively engaged everyday with bringing businesses and jobs, and ultimately real estate opportunities, to our region.

We have been more than fortunate to be surrounded by such great teams like the folks at the Dayton Development Coalition, the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Dayton Partnership. I can personally speak from experience that not every “machine” is as well-oiled and organized as the groups we have here in Dayton and at the state with JobsOhio.

Recently, I was fortunate enough to be a visitor alongside the Dayton Development Coalition and JobsOhio as they attended the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington D.C. This was a two-day event attended by all 50 fifty states centered around one thing: selling their cities and states as THE locations for international business operations.

As I attended meetings with our delegation and on my own, I realized one thing: we have a WORLD of opportunity before us. (Pun intended.)

During each conversation’s high point, there was a moment when real estate was discussed. At the end of the day, the message was clear: somebody was going to purchase a building, develop land, or lease office space. When a company moves workers to the region to run their operations, somebody is going to buy a house. It is because of these truths that I find it so imperative that our members – and REALTORS® around Ohio – are present and ready to be a part of this dialogue.

My own personal meetings with developers, including a business owner from Canada who is looking for undeveloped land to build adventure ropes courses and children’s play areas, made me realize that we must travel as a unit. Travel as a team.

Just like the Steve Jobs quote above, our success will not be because one or two people showed up. It will be because we as an industry have seen the opportunity and we as a team have delivered the chance to be successful back to our members.

I am excited about our global works, and I am excited that as an industry, the National Association of REALTORS® and the great folks in the global division are helping associations begin these planning processes with their own global councils. If you want to learn more about our council, the Southern Ohio Global Alliance, check it out here.

Here to serve,

Andrew