(l to r) Keizo Shirakura, Hisayo Matsumoto, REALTOR® Ayumi DeLoney and REALTOR® Vicky Silvano.

Another successful connection was made within the Consulate Liaison program this week. REALTOR® Ayumi DeLoney, Broker with Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty and Illinois REALTOR® Liaison to the Consulate General of Japan led a discussion with Economic Consul staff to discuss ways we can partner and share information that will result in broadening the Illinois economy and raising awareness of the REALTOR® brand globally.

(l to r) Vicky Silvano, Keizo Shirakura, Hisayo Matsumoto and Ayumi DeLoney.

Also, according to Erik Brejla with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, “Japan is an important part of the economic landscape of Illinois. Japanese companies employ roughly 50,000 Illinois residents so we appreciate the Illinois REALTORS® engagement with the Consulate’s office in order to foster a unified message that Illinois is open for business and is a leader on things like infrastructure, logistics and technology.”

Joining DeLoney at the meeting was Global Policy staffer, Sharon Gorrell, and Chair of the Consulate Liaison Working Group, REALTOR® Vicky Silvano. The three met with Hisayo Matsumoto, Special Researcher for the Consulate General, and Keizo Shirakura, Economic Section Consul, and shared statistics on Illinois and the recent 2017 Housing Forecast.

Shirakura stated, “We are glad to have a source to share economic data and real estate information and look forward to working together.”

(l to r) Sharon Gorrell, Keizo Shirakura, Hisayo Matsumoto and Ayumi DeLoney.