NYS Commercial Assn. of Realtors May 2025 president’s message - by Robert Strell

23^rd Annual NYSCAR Conference at Rivers Casino!
We look forward to seeing you at the 23^rd Annual Conference which will be held June 16-17, 2025 at Rivers Casino, Schenectady. NYSCAR first vice president Mercedes Brien (RAC) is the conference chair.

Gather with your friends and colleagues to learn, network and do business. June 16 will feature several great education programs including “Business Structures, Tax Laws & Deductions” with Jeremy Cole, CPA; “Legal Update” with Anthony Gatto, Esq., and two panels with industry experts regarding “Wetlands Regulation and the Cannabis Industry in NYS”.

June 17 will feature a first-class northeast regional marketing/networking session with Greg McLane, SEC as the lead moderator, John Lavelle and Paul Hakim, CCIM, meeting managers.  Generate potential transactions and gain valuable insight into how to best facilitate your clients’ property objectives. This full-day property marketing session, led by expert SEC moderators from across the region, is the most successful marketing session in NYS each year. Your clients deserve your attendance.

Register by May 15 for the early bird registration.

Mohawk Valley Brownfield Summit
I just returned from the annual Mohawk Valley Brownfield Summit in Herkimer. NYSCAR participated in the summit by sponsoring a six-hour course, “Finding Value in Overlooked Properties.” Kudos to NYSCAR governor, Jack Kelley, CCIM (Greater Capital) for being instrumental in the development of this impressive Brownfield course. This was an outstanding program with excellent speakers. Many thanks to prominent attorney Linda Shaw, geologist Mark Wright and HRP principal, Thomas Seguljic.

NYSCAR member and class attendee Mike McDonough (WNY)  said “The program was incredibly insightful, offering practical strategies that can help me find a plethora of great sites for my clients to develop their projects economically. This is a “must take” CE course for all commercial practitioners. I highly recommend it!”

A Job Well Done!
Congratulations to the Hudson Valley Chapter for having a great conference in April with education and marketing. Nick DeMarte did a fantastic job teaching a counseling course which was very well received by the participants.

I recently also attended CIREB’s Spring Fling at Franklin Plaza in Troy. It was a terrific event and I want to thank our friends and colleagues with CIREB for being so hospitable. Congratulations to their 2025 officers who were installed at the event: John Mac- Affer – president; Ravi Modasra – vice president and Karen Zalewski-Wildzunas – secretary/treasurer.

Realtor of the Year Nominations
If you would like to nominate a NYSCAR member for Realtor of the Year, please send a nomination letter to the NYSCAR office by May 15! (Please send to [email protected])

The committee looks at the following when considering the recipient:

1) NYSCAR Association Activity: committee work, special assignments, seminar activities, educational work and offices held.

2) State Association Activity: offices held, committee work, attendance and participation at conventions, director’s meetings, education work, etc.

3) NAR Activity: National offices, committee work, membership and work in institutes, attendance at national conventions, etc.

4) Civic Activity: Local, state and national levels, participation in civic and service clubs, charitable activities, political activities, etc.

5) Business Accomplishments: Recognized good business conduct and adherence to Realtor Code of Ethics, service to clients, imaginative and creative advertising, imaginative and creative real estate solutions, rehabilitation programs, land utilization, etc.

Robert Strell is president of NYSCAR, Albany, N.Y.