Create professional development programs that help REALTORS® strengthen their businesses.
Protect private property rights and promote the value of REALTORS®.
Advance ethics enforcement programs that increase REALTOR® professionalism.
Protect REALTORS® by providing legal guidance and education.
Stay current on industry issues with daily news from Illinois REALTORS®, network with other professionals, attend a seminar, and keep up with industry trends through events throughout the year.
(l to r) REALTOR® Mikus Kins, Ambassador Andris Teikmanis, REALTOR® Andy Velkme and Consul General Robert Blumberg.
REALTOR® members Mikus Kins and Andris Velkme, members of the Illinois Realtors® Global Business Council and Consulate Liaisons for Lithuania and Latvia, respectively, have taken the lead to create an opportunity for cross-border connections and partnerships.
They were part of a new event called “Spotlight Latvia: Gateway to Business in Europe and Beyond.” This event brought 40 business owners from Latvia to present their businesses and share the economic landscape and legal framework to do business in Latvia. Illinois business owners, including some of our members, were there to make connections and discover potential opportunities with Latvian clients and investors.
This event included the launching of the Latvian-American Chamber of Commerce, which was founded in part by Kins and Velkme. This new chamber will now have the Spotlight Latvia under its purview and is looking forward to continuing this effort. At the event, more than 50 organizations joined the new chamber and they are excited for it to grow.
The Honorary Consulate General to Latvia, Mr. Robert Blumberg, and the Ambassador of Latvia to the United States H.E. Mr. Andris Teikmanis were on hand to be part of the launch of the program and are looking forward to expanding U.S. partnerships. The event was kicked off by Mr. Mark Peterson, CEO of Intersect Illinois, the public-private economic development organization for Illinois.
