The Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) of Metro N.Y. hosted the "Global is the New Local" event on July 24th at The W Hotel. The event featured a keynote panel followed by roundtable discussions on topics including technology and social networking, financing options, professional networking, real estate tax and finance, and working with international buyers. The "Global is the New Local" event showcased successful real estate leaders who have positioned themselves as the "go-to" resources for international real estate needs. Participants heard best practices, learned about technology tools and discussed how cultural factors are critical in the global real estate process. Shown (from left) are the AREAA panelists: Joseph Kluemper, managing director of WTAS LLC; Alex Flores, banker at Wells Fargo Private Mortgage; Janet Choynowski, CEO of Immobel and Real-Buzz; Arthur Hung, licensed associate real estate broker at The Corcoran Group; Nikki Field, senior global real estate advisor and associate broker at Sotheby's International Realty, NYRS; Gordon Hoppe, senior vice president and director of sales of Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group; Sherry Chris, president and CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate; and Eric Barron, CEO of Keller Williams N.Y.C.