Jim Downs

Managing Director, Real Estate Investors Network

Jim Downs, has been investing in property for over 28 years. He has been N.S.W. State Manager for LJ Hooker, N.S.W. Franchise Manager Raine and Horne, QLD Manager Elders Real Estate and P.R.D. 

Jim is now founding director of Real Estate Investors Network, a company that has been helping thousands of people enter the Sydney residential investment market since 1996.

With his comprehensive experience in the real estate industry, Jim is now well known as one of Australia’s most respected property commentators and advisers. 

He is also the author of “Appreciating Assets ~ an Australian guide to creating wealth and keeping it”.

One of Jim’s greatest joys is sharing his experience and knowledge with fellow Real Estate agents and advisors.

Peter Sissons

Managing Director, Sissons Group

Introducing Peter Sissons

Peter commenced his career in real estate in 1982 and quickly gained a reputation for being able to achieve outstanding results and prices on the properties he marketed for his clients.

In 1992 Peter established his own company “Sissons Estate Agents” which quickly rose to be acknowledged as one of the number one real estate Agencies throughout Queensland.

Recognised by his peers and the real estate industry as a whole, for his dynamic and innovative marketing abilities, he is widely regarded as being one of Australia’s most successful agents and a leader in e-marketing.

Under his leadership Sissons Estate Agents have been recognized as the Real Estate Institute of Queensland’s state wide “Agency of the Year” for an unprecedented three years out of the past seven.

Peters Company has also been the recipient of the REIQ’s state wide annual “Innovation in Marketing and Customer Service” Award for two out of the past three years and was recently featured in BRW magazine.

His client list reads like a who’s who in property, and includes Federal, State and Local Governments as well as many large Developers and literally thousands of successful private individuals.

Peter strives on a daily basis to excel in every area of his business, and is a hands on leader who believes in leading from in front. As well as his real estate company Peter also owns his own private development company Fernland Development Corporation.

Using technology to maximise his results, Peter leads an entire team of property professionals dedicated to providing a world class level of service to his clients.

John Sheehan FAPI

Immediate Past President, NSW, Australian Property Institute

Student 1967, Associate 1972, Fellow 1979, NSW Divisional Councillor 1980,1983-1987, 1999-present; Committee Member Royal Exchange Discussion Group 1993; Chairman, Royal Exchange Discussion Group 1994 to present; API National Native Title Spokesperson 1997 2004; NSW Vice President 2000, NSW President 2001-2004, NSW Immediate Past President 2004 to present.

John is the API Divisional representative on the Court Users Group of the Land and Environment Court, and the Environmental Planning and Development Law Committee of the Law Society. In 1997 he received the S.F. Whittington Memorial Gold Medal for service to the API, and in 2004 he was appointed Chair of the Commonwealth Government Defining Water Property Titles Research Project, which is recognised as a basis for the National Water Initiative.

In 1980, he established the Sarasan Consulting Group specializing in review valuations, native title advice, planning and development advice,expert evidence and lay advocacy Court work, with offices in Sydney and Adelaide. He holds formal valuation, town planning and environmental law qualifications, and is currently undertaking studies for his PhD at the University of Sydney.

Kevin Doodney

Managing Director, L J. Hooker Land Marketing

Kevin Doodney heads up L.J. Hooker Land Marketing, and has been associated with L.J. Hooker for 25 years. He has owned and operated ten residential offices and two specialist divisions.

Kevin specialises in bullet proofing rates of sales throughout all stages of the property cycle selling over 450 lots in just one land estate alone in 2006. This led the company to a personal best average of $1 million per day in sales in one month.
Kevin and LJ Hooker Land Marketing, with appointments by clients such as ANZ, Brisbane City Council and State Government, have achieved legendary successes, such as:-

• Taking a project from 20 sales to over 100, per year
• Another estate from 25 sales per year to over 30 in its first month
• Taking another project selling at 70 per year with 4 builders to 250 sales per year with over 100 builders on the job
  
• A one day sale achieving over $40 million worth of contracts in a single day
  
• Over 7 years, rebuilding 700 homes in Inala, creating one of the most successful suburban re-branding campaigns in Australia’s history.
  
• L.J. Hooker Land Marketing was the first agency practice to become quality assured, reached its 10,000th land sale in 2006 and launched its 16 module website, propertygame.com.au.
  
• The company’s publicly listed company AIPM, has this year acquired over 30,000 body corporate managements.

“Dynamic” would not do justice to a man who loves to achieve the impossible with his team, in a superlatively professional manner and share the “how to’s” with others.

Debbie Palmer

Managing Director of the PPM Group & the Property Management Journal
Licensed Real Estate Agent, Author, Speaker, Trainer, Consultant, Coach, Owner & Editor of the Property Management Journal, System Designer, REIQ Gold Coast Property Manager of the Year 1996 & 1997, State Finalist in 1998 & Gold Coast Finalist in 1999

Debbie Palmer offers a fresh youthful approach to property management. She has worked in the industry since 1989 both in London and Australia.

Debbie is the founder and Managing Director of the PPM Group, a national company that encourages and supports business development opportunities within property management departments through the development of systems, consultancy and training.

The PPM Group aspire to create or seek a total solution to the daily management activities of property management departments and offer an array of services and products to compliment the internal operations of your business. The PPMsystem®, being the backbone to your property management solution.

Debbie is also the owner and senior editor of the Property Management Journal, Australia’s leading property management magazine and pmjobs.com.au, an exclusive on-line property management recruitment service.

Debbie is the author of the PPMsystem® (A comprehensive property management procedural system that is revolutionising departments across Australia and New Zealand), A Successful Guide to Property Management Manual, Standard Letter Made Easy Manual and What to say to have your way Scripts and Dialogues Manual.

She is well respected in the industry and has dedicated her working career to improving property management procedures.

Gary Hockey

President and CEO, Coldwell Banker Group, Canada

Gary Hockey is a transplanted Aussie,moving at age 18 to the US to university and a marketing major. He moved to Canada in 1970and began his franchise career in indoor tennis and fitness clubs.

After successfully launching several clubs, he bought into a fledgling restaurant franchise which he ran for 6 years before selling out in 1985. Boredom, and a huge client list lead him to real estate. He sold for a large Canadian company for 5 years, managed a sales team of 40 for a further 3 years, before Coldwell Banker US merged with the Canadian company in 1994.

Since then he has held virtually every position in the company [Senior Vice President for 15 years], until the opportunity to buy the company presented itself in 1999, when he took over as President and CEO.

With over 35 years of customer service across a variety of industries he has led Coldwell Banker Canada to the stage where they have achieved independent surveys showing a staggering 98% of customers would like to deal with their agents again – and maintained that rating year after year.

Who better to talk about "How to Build Your Future on Amazing Service" and the part that every business owner, salesperson and support staff plays.

Chris Helder

International Speaker, USA/Australia

Chris Helder is without a doubt the most sought after keynote speaker in Australia when it comes to the sales and power of influencing others.

He is the master of communication who delivers results for his clients. His highly entertaining presentations challenge all people to strive for new levels of excellence. Originally from the United States, Chris is the acclaimed author of leading sales and motivation books :

Stop Selling!-The Art of Reading the Client & Winning the Business Streetsmart- Playing & Winning the Corporate Game

His program Streetsmart Selling! helps thousands to achieve their best and deliver the tools to increase their results.

Chris has lived in Australia for the past ten years and works as a speaker, trainer, consultant, writer and business strategist. He has trained major banks and elite corporations as well as coached top managers and professional athletes.

Chris has presented his powerful message in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Europe.

Simon Tennent

Executive Director, Housing and Economics, HIA

Simon Tennent is HIA’s Executive Director of Housing and Economics. 

He was appointed to HIA in 1998 as Senior Economic Advisor and was later promoted to HIA Chief Economist.  In this role he was responsible for establishing HIA’s highly respected Economics Group who are leaders in the forecasting and analysis of Australia’s housing and renovation industries.

In 2005, he was promoted to the position of Executive Director of Housing and Economics where he currently manages a team that is responsible for researching and publishing over 60 reports each year on prospects within the residential building industry.  He has also established a specific market research capacity in which the group carries out comprehensive surveys among it’s 42,000 members nationwide to gauge attitudes, activity and buying patterns among the trade sector.

In addition to his 20 years experience in housing research and analysis, he is an advisor to the Federal Treasury and Reserve Bank on housing market conditions as well as a regular media commentator.

Peter Campbell

CEO, Q Developments Pty Ltd

After spending ten years in the RAAF Peter joined a land developer in Brisbane in 1972. Since then he has spent just on 35 years in the property industry in South East Queensland developing land, building houses and has established many successful offices throughout the state and interstate.

Through the 70’s he was responsible for the largest division in the Peter Kurts organisation and his sales teams were constantly producing in excess of 100 sales a month.

In 1980 he stretched his boundaries to the Gold Coast establishing a large real estate operation in Surfers Paradise with five sales teams and three display homes at Robina, Nerang and Ashmore.

In 1993 he established corporate offices internationally in countries including Singapore, Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur. He has also been very much involved in the Brisbane, Gold Coast communities and was co-founder and chairman of Emmanuel College on the Gold Coast, co-founder and chairman of Christian Air Broadcasting, board member of Kings Christian College and is committee member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA).

He is a life member of the Gold Coast Titans as well as being a Platinum Member of the Brisbane Broncos. After raising five children with his wife Carole, they now have seven grand children and a very fluffy little puppy called Ellie.

Phillip Webb

Managing Director – Philip Webb Pty Ltd

Philip Webb began his real estate career as a junior sales consultant in 1970 and is now the Managing Director of Philip Webb Real Estate. Since its foundation, the Company has grown to a team of over 140, selling more than 1200 properties per year and managing 4500 rental properties throughout Melbourne.  Philip Webb Real Estate has been ranked among Business Review Weekly’s “100 Fastest Growing  Australian Companies”, and is considered one of the leading real estate agencies in Australasia with a current turnover of in excess of $500 million worth of property each year.

Philip is recognised as a leader not only within the Australian Real Estate industry, but across a wide range of businesses that focus on excellence in customer service, team building and innovative marketing for their success.

Philip Webb Real Estate was the inaugural winner of the Australasian Best Practice Award for the real estate industry. He has built up a remarkable record of independent recognition, having received awards from authorities as diverse as:

• The Customer Service Institute of Australia;
• The Victorian Government Office of Fair Trading;
• The Real Estate Institute of Victoria;
• The Australian Marketing Institute.

In fact, Philip Webb Real Estate is the only agency in Victoria to have been a finalist in the REIV’s “Award for Marketing Excellence” every year since it’s inception in 1994, and the only two-time National winner of the Australian Marketing Institute’s Award for the best Relationship Marketer in the country.

As the current President of FIABCI Australia and Member of the FIABCI World Board, Philip is a strong advocate for the growing internationalisation of the real estate industry.

Philip’s inspirational story has made him a keenly sought after keynote speaker for seminars and conferences both nationally and internationally.

Nikki Vescovi

President, Vescovi Training & Consulting, LLC

Nikki Vescovi has always led a double life, growing up as an American in the United Kingdom and now working in Australia.She is a dynamic communication expert with 25 years experience helping individuals dramatically reduce their stress levels and enhance their presentations, thereby improving the quality of their lives.

Nikki learned how to master disaster after having her entire family run down by a car, a plane crash into her front room, AND a truck driving over the top of her car. 

When she is not presenting at corporate events, Nikki is busy coaching leaders to deliver the right message in the right way.  Her clients include the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales, American Express, Bank of America, Boeing and Columbia University.

She is all about results, as exhibited by one of her clients who had a 600% increase in sales after using just one idea from one of her programs!

Nikki has mastered the art of influencing others after 18 years experience with Dale Carnegie Training, the oldest and largest international training company.    She was Director of Training for the world’s largest Dale Carnegie franchise      and was selected from 2,500 trainers worldwide to receive the Excellence in Instruction Award .  She is passionate about helping individuals reduce their    stress so they can communicate their message and get the desired result.

Grant Thorpe

Director GrantThorpe.com

Grants’ message is all about doubling your income while creating a wonderful balanced life, something even the most successful people in Real Estate, struggle to achieve. He coaches successful people and makes them truly amazing!

As one of L.J. Hooker’s most awarded, and respected high achievers, Grant Thorpe’s Real Estate background is extensive. His accolades include Life Membership of the prestigious L.J. Hooker Multi-Million Dollar Chapter, No 2 Salesperson of the Year in 2000 and the Franchise Owner of the Year in 2005.

Grant Thorpe is now an internationally recognized Life Coach and Business Mentor with ‘tall poppy’ clients in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. His work in this field coupled with his incredible energy and enthusiasm makes him a highly sought after speaker.  

His presentation will guarantee you ‘a wakeup call’ as you rediscover the important things you may have forsaken in the pursuit of your current success. You may have made sacrifices to gain the end result, but have you taken time to enjoy the journey?

Grant will present a blueprint for a ‘Wonderful Life’. His message confirms that life comes first and work is only there to fund it?

Julie Ryan

Director, Julie Ryan Seminars

Julie Ryan is a leader in real estate marketing who has a dramatic positive impact on the organisations she works with. She is Australasia's leading speaker on customer relationship management and technology.

Julie is a 'hands on' marketer who has been involved in almost every facet of business. Commencing an outstanding personal sales career at 19 years of age, by 21 Julie owned a large real estate agency practice. Her personal sales figures have placed Julie in the very top handful of agents in Australia. She also holds a Bachelor of Business Degree in Communication (Advertising).

The former National Training Director of Australia's largest franchise group L.J. Hooker Ltd., Julie has been intensely involved in the formation of marketing policy and philosophy for an extensive list of substantial organisations around the world. She holds the e-pro qualification from the National Association of Realtors in the USA and is the only person outside of North America to be a member of the CyberProfessionals. Julie works with a wide range of property and service-related organisations across Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada, inspiring them to work more effectively and profitably with their customers.

Known for ‘making the complex simple’ Julie is a popular speaker with her audiences who leave not only wiser for the experience but refreshed and excited about putting new ideas into practice for themselves.

Anthony Toop

Managing Director, Toop and Toop Real Estate

Anthony Toop has a 30 year track record specialising in residential real estate and since 1985 has built the Toop business to be South Australia’s largest independent residential agency. Anthony has been instrumental in ensuring Toop&Toop win nearly every major state and national business award since 1993, and has received recognition both nationally and internationally for achievements in excellence. His leading company was acknowledged once again this year when Toop&Toop brought home three National industry awards including Large Agency of the Year and Innovation. Anthony has been a passionate realtor since 19 years of age and is a current icon of the industry with a passion to set new standards in technology and business practice.

Some of Anthony’s major achievements include working with John Rau on legislative changes to the Real Estate industry, taking the lead in outlawing dummy bidding at auctions, instigated and developed the Golden Gavel Auctioneering competition and personally wrote “The Art of Auction” for the industry to develop new auctioneers. His commitment to the community is tireless, with the personal donation of his time to conduct up to 100 charity auctions each year raising millions of dollars for those in need.

On a personal note, Anthony enjoys nothing more than spending his free time at home on his vineyard in the Adelaide Hills with wife Sylvia, daughters Genevieve & Suzannah and dogs Daisy & Mia-Bella.

Noel Whittaker

Founding Director, Whittaker Macnaught

An apt description for Noel Whittaker might be multi-skilled.

With a life-time of experience in the financial services industry, Noel is a founding director of Whittaker Macnaught – one of Australia's leading independently owned financial advisory companies with a staff of 70 and six offices from the Gold Coast to Mackay.   Established in 1982, the company has over a billion dollars under management.

Noel reaches over six million Australians a week through his columns in major Australian newspapers such as the Sydney Morning Herald, Brisbane Sunday Mail, the Melbourne Age, the Brisbane Courier Mail and the Perth Sunday Times.  He is a regular contributor to magazines such as Australian Doctor and Men's Health and also does regular broadcasts on over 50 radio stations.

He has written 14 best selling books, and has recorded 2 best selling Audio Cassettes and a CD-ROM. His book “Making Money Made Simple” was named in the top 100 of the most influential books of the last century. It was the only money book to be so honored.

His background in finance included 10 years with Westpac where he specialised in international banking, three years in a law office, two years as chief accountant for a listed property company, and two years with Beneficial Finance where he was responsible for their joint venture development projects.

He is also an Executive in Residence with the Faculty of Business at the Queensland University of Technology and is a member of Qld ASIC Regional Liaison Committee.

Noel was named Australian Investment Planner of the Year for 1988 and in April 2003, was awarded the Australian Centenary medal in recognition of his services to the financial services industry.

He is a Fellow of the Society of Certified Practicing Accountants, a Fellow of the Taxation Institute, a Certified Financial Planner, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.

Whittaker Macnaught is an Australian Financial Services Licensee under the Corporations Act and a Principal Member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia Limited.

Tim Lawless

National Director, Research, Colliers International / PRDnationwide

Hank Petrusma

Director, Petrusma & Partners

Hank is a former member of parliament, radio and television real estate program presenter, as well as a Charity Auctioneer with a background in marketing and finance.

With his two fellow directors, he runs Tasmania’s largest privately owned, highly successful Real Estate Practice in Hobart, selling in excess of 1,000 properties per year. Petrusma & Partners are an Award Winning Real Estate business.

As an accredited trainer and speaker, he has inspired and motivated many groups and individuals throughout Australia and New Zealand.

He has served on many community groups over the past few years, including: Tassie Devils National Basketball Team, Tassie Islanders Womens National Basketball League Team, Tasmanian Deaf Society, Australia Rosny Children's Choir, Cancer Support & Information Service, Tasmanian Spastics Association, Cancer Gala Nights, Cerebral Palsy Association, Ronald McDonald House and Special Olympics.

Hank has a strong philosophy of contributing back in to the community. His passion and enthusiasm for Real Estate is as strong as it ever was. He is a “coal face” presenter with “nuts and bolts” how to tips, to dramatically improve salespeople’s performance.

Sherry Chris

Chief Operating Officer
Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation

Sherry Chris joined Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation as its chief operating officer in December 2006.  She has more than 25 years of real estate sales, management and executive experience in all facets of local, regional and franchise operation.

In her capacity as chief operating officer, Chris directs the company’s operations, education, mortgage and field services programs.  She also focuses on communication between Coldwell Banker corporate headquarters, regional offices and its nearly 4,000-office affiliate network around the world.

Chris began her professional career in Ontario, Canada, with Gould Realty as a sales associate and later as a manager.  She also worked in the real estate brokerage operation at Canada Trust before joining one of Canada’s top real estate companies, Royal LePage Real Estate Services, Ltd., in 1987.  After 10 years as a branch and area manager, Chris was promoted in 1997 to Vice President and Regional Manager where she was responsible for the overall operation and development of a region of 30 offices and 1,200 sales people.  She was promoted again two years later to Executive Vice President Network Services where she was responsible for the operational activities of their 500 office franchise network. 

She held that position until 2003 when she was named President of Real Living Network Services, headquartered in Columbus Ohio, where she oversaw a 10-state franchising operation, merger/acquisitions and company-wide recruiting strategy. 

In 2005, Chris was named Chief Operating Officer of California-based Prudential California Realty, the eighth largest real estate company in the United States where she oversaw all financial aspects of the company including the mortgage, title, home warranty and insurance operations.  She helped the company grow to become the eighth largest real estate company in the United States with 64 company owned and 70 franchised offices in California, Nevada and Texas. 

Chris is well regarded in the real estate industry and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences.  She has also served on advisory boards of several prominent organizations including Trulia.com and Google Real Estate.  She is also past chairman of The Realty Alliance.

Chris earned her undergraduate and MBA degrees from the University of Western Ontario.

Ian Grace

International “Mr. Real Estate Advertising” - Convention Chairman

Internationally acclaimed advertising and customer service guru, Ian spoke last year for the 6th time at the world’s largest real estate convention, NAR (National Association of Realtors) Convention, USA. He is the only person outside of North America ever to be invited to speak more than 4 times - testimony to his credibility as an international authority in his field. Ian has been delivering his programs throughout Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA and UK, since 1994 and in 2006 was also double keynote speaker, on Advertising and Customer Service, at the NAEA [National Association of Estate Agents] Congress in London.  Further, a Google search for "Real Estate Customer Service Ideas books" shows Ian's recently released book as number one and two, worldwide.