Real estate conference switches to aid relief effort

A real estate broker’s annual conference took an unexpected turn when Hurricane Harvey battered Texas

Real estate conference switches to aid relief effort
A real estate broker’s annual conference took an unexpected turn when Hurricane Harvey battered Texas.

Keller Williams Realty International had planned a week-long conference in Austin,TX for the week of September 11 but when the hurricane hit the state the firm changed the conference into a relief effort.

The firm opened the Austin Convention Center, which was to hold their conference, to several charitable organizations as a staging ground for relief efforts. Additionally, company officials organized the transport of supplies and volunteers to areas affected by the disaster.

Among those helping with the efforts was a team from Level Up Group SF in San Francisco.

“I’ve been with Keller Williams for 8 years and I’ve seen our company culture in action, but never to this extent,” said Keller Williams San Francisco Team Leader and CEO, Wendy Davis.

Over the week, more than 4,000 Keller Williams associates and their family members travelled to Austin to assist at shelters, organize supplies, demuck homes, and clean up streets.

“I think we all have mixed emotions about our experience in Texas. Everyone who participated in Mega Relief was there on their own dollar, so I’m extremely proud to be in business with agents like that--this is what KW culture is all about. While it was rewarding, we also left with emotions of concern. The trip raised our awareness about disaster preparedness. Are we prepared personally and as a community for a disaster of this magnitude?” added Davis.