The Alltel Stadium’s West Club will be full of Realtors and builders on Oct. 14 when the annual Realtor-Builder Luncheon is held and there will be two men who’ll be watching closely.
As always, the presidents of the two sponsoring organizations will be there, trusting the staff and volunteers have made it another successful event.
The importance can’t be understated.
Why is Realtor/ Builder Luncheon important?
“It gets us together,” says Andre Boutte, the Watson Realty vice president who’s the president of the Northeast Florida Realtors Association. “We all work in different circles. We are in the offices and they are outside in the weather braving the elements and things like that.
“It gives us a chance to see the people that we do work with throughout the year, but in a more informal and relaxed setting. We can network, share lunch and have a good time.”
His counterpart with the Northeast Florida Builders Association, Greg Matovina of Matovina & Co. adds, “All of us can be more successful by doing things that we love to do. Certain of us love to build and certain of us love to sell.
“In the process, if we can do that and provide homes for people who are being brought in to fill the jobs that are being created here in Northeast Florida, what a wonderful way to work together.”
This year’s event is very different from the past. In other years, the trade show preceded a sit-down luncheon. Now, they’re combined and guests can tour the trade show areas and eat at the buffet anytime.
The trade show will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the luncheon will be served from 11-2.
This year’s entertainment will be by Dave Werner of the Capitol Steps humor troupe and he’ll have 45-minute shows at 11:15 and 12:30.
The main thing, though, is to have fellowship, says Boutte.
“We are in the same business, just about. Realtors and builders work together because we are both providing people with the American dream.
“Obviously, on our side, we are working on the end to help them through the contracts, finding the houses, processes and things in conjunction with our builder friends who are building the homes in many cases.
“Not everyone needs a new home but, when they do, that’s when our builder compatriots come into the picture.”
“The luncheon is just a fantastic event,” said Matovina. “It’s wonderful to be able to get together with the Realtors. It would be nice to do it more often, but it is at least nice once a year to be able to get together and be in a setting where we are not worried about the closing taking place that day or a walk through didn’t go very well or the buyer who just got denied by this mortgage company.
“It’s nice to not be able to worry about that, just relax and break bread together.”