“Attending this skill-building conference demonstrated agents’ commitment to staying at the top of their game in order to better serve upscale homebuyers and sellers, said Laurie Moore-Moore, Founder of The Institute Other hosts for The Luxury Conclave -- which was held at The Lake Las Vegas Resort in Nevada -- were Unique Homes magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and Unique Global Estates.

Information-Packed Presentations
Keynote speakers for The Luxury Conclave included Gregory Furman, Founder and Chairman of The Luxury Marketing Council, a New York-based international membership organization composed of firms offering luxury products and services. Furman shared demographic information on the growing numbers of wealthy in the world and discussed how luxury purveyors are creating marketing partnerships to better meet the needs of these wealthy consumers.

Keynoter Ted Jones, Stewart Title economist and Chairman of the Houston Association of Realtors, reviewed economic indicators and predicted that luxury real estate sales would continue to be strong.

Institute Member Delivers Keynote
Gayle Henderson with RE/MAX Excalibur in Scottsdale (AZ) did a general session presentation on the new business model for luxury agents and Tim Kruger of MetroCities Private Mortgage Banking Group did a general session discussing special financing available for upscale properties.

Institute Members Dominate Breakout Presentations
Breakout sessions covered diverse topics from “The best ideas for using the Internet and other technology tools to market yourself and your listings” to “Position yourself as a luxury specialist through effective personal branding.” Break out session speakers included eighteen Institute members.

* * November 5/8/15, 2003 * *
Bucktown, Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Humboldt Park and
West Town Luxury Homes Get Boost From National Exposure

Tony Zaskowski Among Select Group to Participate in National Advertising
Program for Luxury Home Specialists

Chicago, IL - Tony Zaskowski, a Chicago real estate agent with Property Consultants, is among a select group of real estate agents invited to participate in a national advertising program between The Wall Street Journal, Barron's magazine, and The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing.

"This is a great opportunity for me and my clients," says Zaskowski. "Participating in this program allows me to reach clients across the nation who may be looking to Chicago for their next upper-tier property."

A recent report by The Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies shows that the number of "million-dollar" homes has grown dramatically faster than the total number of homes in the U.S. This increase in upper-tier properties has led to Chicago seeing an increase in the number of new and inexperienced real estate agents targeting the upscale market segment.

Chicago has a lot to offer affluent consumers," Zaskowski continued. "Recognition by The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing assures those potential buyers of my unique training and specialized knowledge, and opens new communication networks that will enhance my ability to serve my clients well."

Zaskowski's national exposure comes at the right time. According to Carl Steidtmann, chief economist for Deloitte Research, a leading professional financial services firm, "many consumers postponed buying new homes until interest rates reached the bottom. With interest rates on the rise, they have decided to get off the dime to avoid higher rates." Steidtmann's comments were reinforced by a Wall Street Journal article in mid-May, which reported that multi-million dollar homes "are starting to sell briskly."

The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing decided to feature some of its members in The Wall Street Journal and Barron's financial weekly because of the publications' strong readership profiles: Their readers have an average household income of over $200,000 and have an average household net worth of over $2 million. These statistics translate into a wealth of opportunities for Zaskowski to bring both local and national affluent consumers who are looking to either buy or upgrade in the Chicago market.

About The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing
The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing exists to help real estate professionals around the world provide high quality service to buyers and sellers of luxury properties. Institute members have completed special training to build expertise in the marketing of upscale homes and estates and those who meet performance standards may earn the prestigious Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist designation. Information and an international membership list can be found at www.CLHMS.org. Members are also listed on the Wall Street Journal's RealEstateJournal.com website.