CREA Returns to 30th Banff Western Connection
With breathtaking mountain views as the backdrop, a star-studded lineup drew nearly 1,000 members of the REALTOR® association community.
Every two years members of the REALTOR® association community descend on beautiful Banff, Alberta, to expand their knowledge, network with industry professionals, and learn about the latest issues and trends impacting the industry from some of the most innovative minds in real estate.
This year, the Alberta Real Estate Association (AREA) welcomed nearly 1,000 attendees from January 23-25 for the 30th Banff Western Connection 2025.
Emceed by Andrew Phung, Canadian actor and comedian, Banff Western Connection 2025 featured a heavy hitting lineup of speakers including legendary comedian Jay Leno; Canadian astronaut, musician, and author Chris Hadfield; Olympic speed skater and cycler Clara Hughes; and Dragons’ Den angel investor Manjit Minhas.
Janice Myers, CREA CEO, and Shaun Cathcart, CREA’s Senior Economist, also engaged in industry panel discussions during the event.
CREA Hosts Virtual Resort and Second-Property Course
On Wednesday, January 22, the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) hosted a virtual Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS) certification course, where more than 40 REALTORS® learned from industry-leading professionals and gained the skills, tools, and connections to excel in this specialized market.
Looking to expand your skillset? There’s more where that came from. CREA offers a wealth of resources available to members and board and association staff looking to expand their professional growth. Get courses, webinars, tutorials, and more on CREA’s Learning Hub.
Board Leaders Day
At Board Leaders Day, on Thursday, January 23, CREA welcomed more than 300 REALTOR® association community leaders to discuss the real estate landscape, talk best practices, network, and learn from the experiences of their peers.
Facilitated by T3 Sixty, the event kicked off with James Mabey, 2024-25 CREA Chair, introducing Jack Miller, T3 Sixty President and CEO who explored trends and opportunities in North American real estate. Following his presentation, Clint Skutchan, SVP of Organized Real Estate Consulting, T3 Sixty, set the stage for the day’s workshop with insights into the Canadian real estate ecosystem.
Highlights from Board Leaders Day include a panel led by Miller and Skutchan featuring industry leaders Chris Guerette, CEO, Saskatchewan REALTORS® Association, Jennifer Lynch, Senior VP, Professional Services, British Columbia Real Estate Association, Roger Boutilier, CEO, Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS®, and Kevin Criger, Associate CEO, Toronto Regional Real Estate Board. Together they examined ways to enhance support for members and strengthen leadership within the association community.
In addition, Myers and Mabey sat down to discuss key strategic alignment within the REALTOR® association community. Their conversation, along with the broader discussion, reflected a strong commitment to innovation and the exceptional leadership driving the industry forward.
A huge thanks to all board and association leaders who joined us for Board Leaders Day, T3 Sixty for facilitating, anyone who stopped by our booth during the event, and to AREA for hosting us at the Fairmont Springs Hotel for Banff Western Connection 2025.
See you in 2027!
