The final day of eXpcon Canada was capped by the second general session, which was filled with valuable insights from numerous panel discussions and a series of awards, including Woman of Influence and Humanitarian of the Year. But the big headliner was Col. Chris Hadfield, Canada’s first person to walk in space. He emphasized to the audience that every daily decision we make can influence outcomes, urging us not to waste these opportunities. Read additional highlights below.
‘Elevating Your Business With eXp’ Panelists Share Insights
eXp Realty agents Jenny Celly (New Brunswick) and Benoit Bienvenue (Quebec) were the emcees for the second general session. They kicked things off by introducing an A-level panel of eXp agents to discuss “Elevating Your Business With eXp.” Rich Dhillon moderated a discussion with eXp top producing agents Justin Havre, Chris Knighton, Katrina Amurao, and Valerie Boisvert-Pepin.
“What I love about eXp is that this brokerage is truly agent-centric,” said Katrina. “You have the choice to listen, to participate and to use your voice to make eXp a better place. This is our company, together.”
“Winning With Production’ Panel Led by Leo Pareja
The next panel was moderated by eXp Realty CEO Leo Pareja along with an all-star lineup of agents, including Logan Boyce, Jennifer Jones, Mark Verzyl and Jessie Yerxa. They provided highlights of their strategies that lead to high levels of productivity and success.
“You need to figure out your why,” said Jennifer. “I’ve heard agents say their why is great customer service, but that’s the baseline. For me, my why is helping others. When you help others win, you win, and then the business comes.”
“Power of Relationships’ Panel Highlights the Importance of Connections
Quebec eXp Realty agent Caroline Lachapelle spoke with fellow Quebec agent Sacha De Santis about “The Power of Relationships in Business Growth.” Caroline brings a wealth of experience and insight into cultivating lasting relationships that contribute to sustained business success.
Woman of the Year Presented to Jessie Yerxa
Next, eXp World Holdings Founder, CEO and Chairman Glenn Sanford, CEO Leo Pareja, Chief Growth Officer Michael Valdes and CMO Wendy Forsythe presented awards for Woman of Influence, Humanitarian of the Year, Rookies of the Year (for volume and transactions) and Best Social Media for Real Estate.
Wendy presented the Woman of Influence Award to New Brunswick agent Jessie Yerxa, who is recognized for her inspirational leadership.
Jessie began her real estate career in 2008 and from the start, brought a unique blend of creative humor and an outside-the-box approach to her marketing strategies. Jessie has not only shone brightly in the spotlight of an HGTV feature but has also made significant community impacts with her PAWsitive Property initiative and vibrant ‘Downtown Fredericton’ campaigns.
Jessie is much more than an award-winning Realtor and team leader; she is a mother, a wife, and a mentor to agents across our amazing network.
Mathieu Arseneault Named Humanitarian of Year
Michael presented Quebec’s Mathieu Arseneault the Humanitarian of the Year Award. Mathieu is recognized for going beyond business and touching lives and making a difference in the world.
Mathieu is a community leader in Gatineau. He shares his success with others who are in need, a practice that he says keeps him grounded. He is a proud partner of organizations like Leucan and Starlight, where he has been instrumental in making dreams come true for children through helicopter rides and generous donations.
Mathieu’s everyday actions reflect his deep commitment to humanity. Through his social media platforms, you can see him actively involved in Gatineau, giving to those in need, embodying the spirit of true humanitarianism.
Rookie of the Year Awards Go to Aman Bhatti and Leah Millar
In recognizing up-and-coming agents, awards were presented to new agents who are already making waves.
The Rookie of the Year for Volume was presented to British Columbia’s Aman Bhatti. Aman joined eXp in January 2023, and though he has been in the business since 2021, his impact has been nothing short of phenomenal. In a very short time, Aman has achieved an impressive sales volume of over $30 million.
The Rookie of the Year for Transactions was presented to Alberta’s Leah Millar. Leah joined eXp in February 2023 and has already completed an impressive 83 transactions, placing her as No. 6 on eXp’s unit list for individual agents.
Scott Henderson Wins Best Social Media Award
Lastly, Kitchener’s Scott Henderson won the Best Social Media Award, celebrating his innovative and effective online engagement. Scott revolutionized property listings with his sing-songy rap videos. His unique approach uses rhymes and catchy rhythms to make his listings unforgettable and ensure they stand out in a competitive market.
“Overcoming Obstacles” With Jason Piercey and Amy Somerville
This session was a shift from celebration to inspiration when Amy Somerville, CEO of SUCCESS Enterprises hosted a conversation with eXp Realty agent Jason Piercey of Newfoundland.
Jason shared his story of almost losing his life when an SUV slammed into him on his motorcycle in a horrific accident in 2021. He was in a coma for two weeks and suffered numerous fractures, organ damage and was hospitalized for months.
Their talk delved into the challenges he has faced and the strategies that helped him navigate through them, offering insights that can empower all of us. This talk was not just about overcoming, but thriving through adversity.
Panel: Essential Skills for New Real Estate Agents
Carrie Lysenko, CEO of Zoocasa, and Bryon Ellington, eXp Realty’s Chief Learning Officer, led an insightful panel discussion on foundational tools for agents who are new to real estate.
The panelists included eXp Realty agents Idris Baig, Mona Karda, Spencer Kaleb Yankowski and Chelsea Lawlor.
Chelsea said, “When I started in this business, being a Realtor wasn’t the cool thing to do. Putting your business on social media wasn’t cool. The average agent’s age in my office was 50 years old. I saw an opportunity to leverage social media. I decided to take it very seriously and use it like a storefront. When I have downtime, I double down on socials. It generates me leads.”
Keynote Presented by Col. Chris Hadfield – a Modern-Day Polymath
Col. Chris Hadfield, renowned for his space heroics – including being the first Canadian to spacewalk – was the day’s headliner.
With three space missions under his belt, contributions to constructing space stations, and his talent for music and writing, Hadfield is a modern-day polymath. He has captivated audiences worldwide with his engaging talks on leadership, creativity, and the thrill of space exploration and this keynote was no different.
“Every decision you make turns you into who you are tomorrow and the day after that. Don’t let the amazingness of each day pass you by,” he said.
It was an energizing and inspiring conclusion to an informative general session.
In the afternoon, another full set of breakout sessions were held, including discussions on agent attraction, kvCORE, conversion strategies and more.
More eXpcons Are Coming in 2024!
eXpcon Canada was the first of three eXpcons being held for the year. Coming June 4-6 is eXpcon International in Lisbon, Portugal and on Oct. 27-30 is eXpcon Miami. Don’t miss them!
