Illinois REALTORS®’ efforts to raise awareness of global real estate were honored on Saturday at a reception at the NAR Conference and Expo in Chicago.

The association’s Global Business Council was recognized with the Platinum Global Achievement Program Award for its work on behalf of the industry.

According to the notification letter:

“Your council has shown the highest level of service to its global members by consistently providing them with the tools they need to handle international real estate in addition to connecting your council to the global community in your area.

REALTOR® Alex Ruggieri

Illinois REALTORS® has had a growing international presence in recent years. The association annually participates in the MIPIM real estate conference in Cannes, France, one of the largest in the world, and it has a thriving Consulate General Liaison Program which matches Illinois REALTORS® with Illinois’ international delegations to provide real estate information.

The association also recently partnered with the state’s public-private economic development agency, Intersect Illinois, to help market the state in Japan earlier this year.

The 2017 Global Business Council chair is REALTOR® Alex Ruggieri, and the vice chair is REALTOR® Vicky Sampah. In 2018, Sampah will become chair, and REALTOR® Maurice Hampton will become vice chair. The staff liaison for the Global Business Council is Sharon Gorrell.