[:en]What a year it has been for Gibson Sothebys International Realty! As we venture into the year 2020, we reflect on some of the highlights of another fantastic year of deepening our connections within our global network of real estate experts, fostering relationships with our feeder markets, and connecting our extraordinary clients with extraordinary results.
From left: Philip White, SIR President & CEO; Julie Leonhardt LaTorre, SIR COO; Lindsey Champagne, SIR Director of PR & Communications.
The year kicked off quickly in January, as theSothebys International Realty network raised over $880,000 forNew Story, which commenced the construction of sustainable homes for 125 families across Haiti, El Salvador, Bolivia, and Mexico. We are proud to be part of an organization that recognizes the importance of social aid and in unlocking the potential that families across the globe need to thrive. New Story provides us with a platform to reach far beyond the scope of our own network and help support a world where no human being lives in survival mode.
In February, we showed some love to our local community by hosting a clothing drive to benefit Second Chances, a Somerville, Massachusetts-based organization that diverts clothing, shoes and accessories from local landfills while helping our neighbors in need take their first steps toward brighter futures. We additionally honored American Heart Month by drawing attention to heart disease at Gibson Goes Red Day, when local community members donned red clothing and stopped by Gibson Sothebys InternationalRealtys Cohasset office to register for a free pop-upphotography session.
Gibson Goes Red Day in Cohasset, Massachusetts,
This past winter, our brand announced some exciting news of its own afterSothebys International Realtysaw its highest annual sales volume performance yet, achieving approximately $112 billion in global sales volume for the previous year. Our brand alsolaunched a new campaign in Times Square, showcasing our properties from around the world. A series ofVideo Instants featured our exceptional listings and those from our affiliate network on two large screens on the northeast corner of 42nd Street and 7th Avenue.
In April, 300 industry leaders from Sothebys International Realty affiliates from all over traveled to Boston to attend Gibson Sothebys International Realtys first annual Boston Networking Event, a day of networking and groundbreaking industry insights held this yearat the world-famousBoston Public Library. Spanning two days, the official function gave all those who attended the opportunity to create valuable business connections with the worlds most talented real estate professionals at an event like no other.
Boston Networking Event 2019.
Our brokerage enjoyed a banner year of industry achievements. This year, our associates were again name among the nations best real estate professionals in the 2019 REAL Trends Report. REAL Trends, in partnership with TheWall Street Journal, recognized Gibson Sothebys International Realty as the #1 Massachusetts-based firm by sales volume and average sales price, the #11 Sothebys International Realty affiliate in the country by sales volume, and the#100 in closed sales volume of all brokerage firms in the United States. Additionally, sixteen individual agents and nine agent teams were recognized on the 2019 REALTrendsAmericas Best Real Estate Professionals report. We earned these prestigious national rankingsjust days after transcending $1 billion in sales volume faster than ever before!
These professionals represent the pinnacle of achievement within an incredibly competitive industry. It is an honor to support and work alongside each of these individuals and the members of their teams. Paul McGann, President and Co-Owner of Gibson Sothebys International Realty.
We were additionally recognized among the top 1% of all real estate companies nationwide by the Swanepoel Mega 1000, earning the #1 spot of all Massachusetts-based real estate companies and the 107th spot of the 1,000 largest residential brokerages. Among a total of fifty ranking Sothebys International Realty affiliates across the United States, our firm earned the 11th spot.
In the summer, we were thrilled to have so many of our agents recognizedbyBostonmagazineas the Greater Boston areas top producers for 2019. Bostonmagazinehas a penchant for discovering the best the city has to offerand making it easily searchable. The TopReal Estate Producers directoryis your guide to finding top real estate agents and teams operating within Greater Boston. To qualify, they all had to generate more than $20 million in sales for individuals, or $30 million for teams in 2018.
It is also always an honor to be recognized by our peers. In June, Larry Rideout was honored as the Industry MVP in Boston Agent Magazines inaugural Agents Choice Awards. Mary Kelleherand ResCo Companieswere esteemed nominees for Charitable Service and Best Team, respectively. We have our incredible clients, associates, and friends to thank for their votes!
In May, we attended Sothebys International Realtys 2019 Global Networking Event in Vancover, Canada, welcoming nearly 2,000 members of the brand from 35 countries. The Next Level event introducedOnly,a new brand marketing campaign that highlights the spirit and crystallization of the exceptional core values of theSothebys International Realty brand. Larry Rideout and Lauren Holleranserved as experts on distinguished panels, and Gwyneth Paltrow, Academy Award-winning actress and CEO and Founder ofGoop, joinedour CEO Colleen Barry and Larry Rideout there, where she discussed establishing her timeless brand and connecting with todays consumera philosophy we can get behind!
GSIR associates and staff at the 2019 Global Networking Event.
From left: Colleen Barry, Gwyneth Paltrow, Larry Rideout.
Soon after, we further expanded into Cape Cod with the acquisition of Chatham Real Estate, a hyperlocal real estate firm based in the heart of bustling Downtown Chatham. We werethrilled to add the group of collaborative professionals at Chatham Real Estate, established in 1990, to our organization.
From left: Kenneth Hager, Larry Rideout, Rick Smith, Diane Miller, Colleen Barry, Paul McGann.
In June and July, we celebrated two new office locations. We officially opened an office in the Hingham Shipyarda vibrant waterfront dining and shopping destination in the South Shore town of Hingham, Massachusetts.In July, the local community joined us at the ribbon-cutting for our new office in Dennis, Massachusetts, said to be the first Sears, Roebuck and Company kit home sold on Cape Cod.
Grand Opening celebration in the Hingham Shipyard.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony in Dennis, Massachusetts.
In June, our marketing team launched the latest edition of our company magazine, The Collection, offering a glimpse inside the most beautiful properties from Cape Ann through the city to Cape Cod. The edition spotlighted a variety of local figures and stories, including an exclusive interview with Sothebys International Realtys powerhouse COO Julie Leonhardt LaTorre, as well exceptional listings withinSothebys International Realtys global network. Also this year, our Cape Cod offices published a new edition of the Cape Cod Gallery,spotlighting the idyllic Cape Cod lifestyle and our most stunning properties across the region.
The Collection | Spring 2019.
At the tail end of summer, Cronin Development launched sales of The St. Regis Residences, Boston with the opening of a high-touch/high-tech waterfront sales center. The custom-built waterfront spacecalled The Experience Center for The St. Regis Residences, Bostonoffers visitors a high-tech experience, luxury service and panoramic Boston Harbor views that mimic what buyers will experience inside the towers 114 condominiums. With R. Wayne Lopez and Cathy Angelini, Michael L. Carucci leads Gibson Sothebys International Realtys marketing and sales networking efforts.
The Experience Center for The St. Regis Residences, Boston.
Autumn marked several powerful opportunities for learning. InOctober, wewelcomed professionals from Sothebys International Realty affiliates across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Hampshire, and Washington D.C.to join us in a four-day intensive Ninja Selling installation. Ninja sales training adjust your mindset, business plan, customer interactions, selling process, buying process, and negotiating skills, hopefully assisting real estate professionals in ways not previously possible.After four days of energized training led by Master Ninja Selling Instructor Melanie Frank, participants left with new philosophies, attitudes, andtools to strike that elusive balance between a successful career and a fulfilling home life.
Ninja Selling Installation.
Also this Fall, we came together with brokerages across Massachusetts to support local non-profits at the GBAR 1st Annual YPN Battle Of The Brokerages! Our leadership team sang their hearts out to karaoke favorites to benefit Toys4Joys and HomeStart, organizations assisting families and cildren in need across Greater Boston.
From left: Nicole Rideout, Colleen Barry, Larry Rideout, Michelle Atkins, and Aimee Rideout at the GBAR 1st Annual YPN Battle of the Brokerages.
Finally, in December, the beautiful Lenox Hotel served as the backdrop for our annual holiday gathering, where nearly 400 of our associates and staff celebrated another year of unprecedented milestones.
GSIR Annual Holiday Party at the Lenox Hotel.
We thank our clients for their trust and confidence in 2019. To follow our journey in 2020, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
