PRESIDENT GREGG PAWLIK JOINS REALTORS® AND INDUSTRY LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO ENGAGE ON REAL ESTATE ISSUES
Los Angeles, California December 15, 2012, Gregg Pawlik, President of the Beverly Hills/ Greater Los Angeles Association of REALTORS® and an associate with the Coldwell Banker Company in Pacific Palisades, California, joined nearly 21,000 REALTORS® and guests from across the country at the REALTORS® Conference & Expo held in November in Orlando, Florida.
The year's meetings encouraged REALTORS® to "discover your magic." As the U .S. emerges from the recent national election, REALTORS® reflected on recent real estate successes and prepared to regroup for the road ahead. Attendees participated in forums and shared their insights into the challenges and opportunities of local markets across the country, examined how changing political and economic landscapes are likely to affect the real estate industry, and networked with colleagues from across the U.S. and around the world.
"REALTORS® are proud of the role we have played in the current real estate recovery," said Pawlik "But we also know there is much to be done, as the country still faces significant economic challenges. As the leading advocate for private property rights, homeownership and housing issues, REALTORS® are committed to keeping real estate issues a priority on the nation's public policy agenda, as well as helping consumers closer to home."
For example, right here in Los Angeles, we successfully defeated a City wide Transfer Tax increase with the help of funds allocated to us by the National Association of REALTORS®.Throughout the week REALTORS® participated in forums, classes and workshops to gather the resources, information and skills necessary to help them positively influence their local communities and community leaders and help them effectively serve their buyer, seller and investor clients.
Pawlik along with BH/GLAAR President – Elect Marty Geimer attended various Association relevant meetings and roundtables. Pawlik, a RPAC Trustee, was very involved in all the Political Advocacy meetings as was our Government Affairs Director James Litz. He also attended the MLS and Professional Standards Committee meetings along with Association members Diane Manns, Rosanne Howard, Steve Manavi, Robin Greenberg and Annie Ives. National Association of REALTORS® 2012 President Moe Veissi reflected on an active year of REALTORS® engagement and outlined the road ahead. "This year Realtors® have shown their commitment to keeping the American dream of home ownership alive and accessible for future generations, whether they participated in the very successful REALTORS® Rally to Protect the American Dream in May or answered calls for action to extend important mortgage cancellation tax relief benefits," said Veissi. "On the commercial side, REALTORS® are working with Congress and regulators to accelerate depreciation rules, improve the availability of credit for small businesses, and increase the cap on credit union member business lending- all of which aim to support an ongoing recovery in the commercial real estate market."
During the conference, Gary Thomas, a REALTOR® from Orange County, Calif., was installed as the 2013 NAR President. Acknowledging that the next few years will be pivotal for the future of homeownership and real estate investment in this country, Gary said, "REALTORS® know our country faces some tough choices ahead, but we also understand the vital role that real estate plays in both the long- and short-term health of this nation. Our countries continued commitment to homeownership is part of what has made us strong; I think Franklin Delano Roosevelt said it best- 'A nation of homeowners is unconquerable."'
Pawlik also had the chance to explore the latest industry innovations and stay up to date on how new products are transforming the real estate business, as nearly 400 exhibitors showcased the newest real estate products and services for the industry during the trade expo . 
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