"There is a lot of talk about ‘globalization’," said CAR President Greg Scott, who is also president of Beazley Company, Realtors, headquartered in New Haven, CT, "but this is an example of what it is really all about. The artificial barriers that previously existed--whether they were from state to state or country to country--are now starting to break down. The Internet has made our world a lot smaller and is helping to facilitate building relationships abroad."

The National Association of Realtors has encouraged "Ambassador" relationships between individual states with companies and organizations abroad. Connecticut is the Ambassador association to France, and an informal relationship has been building over the past few years at various NAR international meetings. A delegation from France came to Connecticut earlier this year and was hosted by CAR. The FNAIM made a reciprocal invitation for CAR representatives to come to Paris. In addition to Mr. Scott, the delegation included CAR Executive Vice President Robert Kennedy, Barbara Schmerzler, Betty Jensen, Anne Swartout, Jack Jensen and Dawn Calvo.

In recognition of CAR’s efforts, the association is the recipient of the Ambassador Association of the Year Award, given by the National Association of Realtors at their annual convention, held on November 7 - 11.

The delegation’s trip included two and a half days of meetings including a presentation on FNAIM, an update on France’s residential and commercial real estate market in and a tour of French real estate offerings. The delegation visited the FNAIM Internet and computer system facility and was given an in-depth presentation on technology advancements, broker web sites and agent computer services and software.

Unlike the United States, France has no formal Multiple Listing Service. The two groups discussed the merits of creating an MLS, with numerous comments and suggestions on the successes and pitfalls of the current American MLS system.

"This was an outstanding opportunity for association representatives from two countries to meet and discuss our differences and similarities and to learn from each other," added Scott. "We are all beginning to work together."

Two organized dinners were included in addition to the meetings. The combination of formal business presentations and informal dinners helped members of both delegations to bond and created the opportunity to build strong relationships, which was their primary purpose.

"I look forward to a continued relationship between Realtors in Connecticut and our French counterparts as we progress in the building this International Consortium of Real Estate Associations," Scott said.

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