May 18, 2013

German American Chamber of Commerce Hosts Solar Delgation

The German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, Inc. hosted a delegation of 8 Solar Companies in Colorado from June 27, 2011 till July 1, 2011. The Trip was sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Economics.

I had the pleasure setting up their first meeting with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden Colorado on June 27, 2011, where Joe Verrengea – Public Affairs of the NREL gave an overview of the world-reknown facility, its accomplishments and future research, which set a great  tone for Colorado’s involvement in “Green, Renewable Energy” for this particular Delegation. In the afternoon the Delegation met with an established German Company here in Colorado “Conergy USA” at the Embassy Suites Hotel Downtown, where Christian Kaesler spoke to the group, why he chose Colorado over California etc… even so  productions have declined a little bit within the last year.  Here I  had also the pleasure to speak  to one of the Delegations Project Sales Managers (one on one). Being involved an international Real Estate and a Member of FIABCI I was able to open quite a few doors for this particular Company – creating business – creating a win-win-situation for his company, my company and of course Colorado’s Economy.

After an all day conference on Tuesday including the German American Chamber of Commerce – Colorado Chapter (GACC-CO), which I am a Board-Member of, the Colorado Governor’s Energy office,  the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (COSEIA) and excel Energy,  the group went back to the Marriott in Golden for a Networking event with former Governor Bill Ritter, Center for the New Energy Economy at the Colorado State University (CSU). Mr. Ritter not only welcomed the “German Delegation” and a Mexican Delegation  to give an overview of the last couple years, future involvements/research of 3 universities and how the state of Colorado will become # 1 in Renewable Energy. At this Networking session I had the opportunity again to “shake hands with Mr. Ritter” and to speak to a Consultant of the German Federal Ministry of Economics Mr. Oliver Druecke and shared some of my optimism as well as concerns with him, as he listened to Mr. Ritter with delight!  On my next visit to Germany in October I’ll spent some time with him in Berlin, while visiting with the Immobilien Verband Deutschlands (IVD) and further our business Relationship as we both came up with some wonderful idea’s on how to create business here in Colorado and Germany.

The following day a trip to Fort Collins was scheduled were we spent a couple hours with the President of G.J.Pierman of WIRSOL in his world class “green building” and of course visited one of the 8 Beer Brewery’s Odell’s. I was able to speak to the rest of the Delegation on a one on one level as well as spending some quality time with Mr. Pierman at Dinner. We’ll connect some more “dot’s” to move the Economy here in Colorado into a better directions.

Rebuilding Together Metro Denver

Kathryn Arbor “Rebuilding Together Metro Denver” kicked off our “National Healthy Homes Conference“, on June 18, 2011 and June 19, 2011 with over 500 volunteers. As a volunteer for the 2 day’s I put on my “tool-belt”, took a paint brush, a shovel etc. and and the entire group accomplished a healthy living improvements to over 30 homes in the Barnum Neighborhood. It was a weekend well spent and a great opportunity for me to learn more about the following 2 year Pilot Program “Green Healthy Homes Initiative“, which a Grant was awarded to Denver and 14 other Cities throughout the Country.

Contact me if you’d like to learn more or find out how to become involved.

How Currency Affects our International Transactions – May 26, 2011

Thursday, May 26, 2011
4:00-6:00 pm at DBR Office
4300 E. Warren Ave., Denver, CO 80222

Speakers:

Laura McLoughlin
Moneycorp, Inc. (Regional Manager)

Charles A. Williams
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
(Managing Director, Foreign Exchange Director)

Thanks to Betsy Williams, Williams Title Guaranty for sponsoring the refreshments at this event.

Click here for more on our 2011 schedule

RSVP: jwolff@denverrealtors.org or 303-300-8483.

FIABCI: What is an International REALTOR®? – June 2, 2011

Colorado Council of FIABCI-USA
Denver Board of REALTORS®

June 2nd, 2011 – 4 to 6pm

 

President: Brian Kinkade, Brokers Guild – Cherry Creek Ltd

President-Elect: Inge Frerichs, Trans World Realty LLC

Social Director: Aline Chambre, Brokers Guild – Cherry Creek Ltd

 

Keynote speaker: Howard Leino, CIPS, CRB, CRS, GRI, TRC, SFR

Broker/Owner LEINO PROPERTIES, LLC  hleino@comcast.net

 

Sponsor: Chicago Title of Colorado

16h00 – 16h30     Doors open for arrival of guests and networking
16h30 – 16h45     Welcome speech from our President, Brian Kinkade to include:

1. Introduction of our sponsor

2. Presentation on FIABCI Cyprus World Congress

3. Upcoming FIABCI Events

16h45 – 17h00     Aline to present on various international designations and organizations

17h00 – 17h45     Keynote Speaker to present on:

1. What defines an International REALTOR®?

2. How to get involved as an International REALTOR®?

3. Stories of an International REALTOR®

4. Q&A

17h45     Closing statement from President-Elect, Inge Frerichs Networking

 

This meeting is open to all.  Please feel free to invite colleagues or prospective members.

Interested in becoming more involved in Council activites?  Contact us today for more information.

 

Upcoming 2011 Colorado Council Schedule of Events:

  • August 6 Outdoor Social Summer International potluck!
  • October 6 How to network and market internationally?
  • December 2 International Holiday Gala

 

We look forward to seeing you all soon!

 

P.S.  Visit our website for more information, www.FIABCIUSA.CO.

We welcome you to join us on LinkedIn for up to date news and activities.

http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Colorado-Council-FIABCIUSA-3795976

“Alternative Energy” at The Denver Board

As the Chair of the DBR International Council I would like to invite you to our next free of charge presentation on March 24, 2011 between 4-6pm. at the DBR, 4300 E. Warren St., Denver, CO. 80222 Please RSVP 303-300 8500 (DBR Reservation hotline)

“Alternative Energy” Speakers:

Robert J. Noun – Executive Director, Communications and External Affairs of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), who will tell us about NREL and why it’s world-re-nown.

Susan Innis – Senior Manager, State Government Relations at VESTAS – Wind Technolgy – who will tell us about how the Danish Company created over 1200 jobs in Colorado.

Ron Abo – President of the architecture Company “The Abo Group”, who will tell us about his recent tour through Germany and Belgium, which was sponsored by the AIA Colorado Education Fund scholarship, to answer questions why Europeans use far less energy than the USA does..

Seats are limitted to the first 100 who RSVP: # 303-300 8500

I am looking forward to see you again

Inge Frerichs

Doing Business in Emerging Markets

The Denver Board of REALTORS® Local International Committee hosted their quarterly event, Emerging Markets – Doing Business in Politically-Sensitive Countries, yesterday afternoon.  The Board continually sponsors internationally orientated educational events laden with informative, pertinent and solid content for the internationally orientated real estate professional.

Ironically, from two of the speakers from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade we were surprised to learn that emerging markets are quickly becoming main markets.  These markets account for 80% of global GDP growth whereas the G7 Markets include the remaining 20% global GDP growth.

These high growth emerging markets include the following:

  • BRIC:  Brazil, Russia, India & China
  • CIVETS:  Colombia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey, & South Africa
  • S. Korea, Mexico

Companies are relying heavier on emerging growth to compensate for stagnation.  Though high growth may welcome high risk as these markets can geographically disperse with large populations spread over a huge geographical areas.  Also, cultural barriers, lifestyle and language differences may complicate matters.

They include a large base of low income buyers and small businesses however they also afford low buying power and fragmented markets.

Often interested market partners may face immature business environment including an insufficient distribution infrastructure, poor payment cycles and lack of local knowledge and customs.

The opportunities include explosive growth and sales objectives are different from developed world.  Also, sales processes and systems are constantly under flux.

Discussion included Europe, Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain then moved onto East Central Europe and Turkey.

European countries face a combination of high debt loads and other economic problems that will force spending cuts and tax increases in coming months. Debt-to-GDP ratio more than 100 percent in the most imperiled European nations (Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, and Italy)

Turkey is one of the preferred emerging markets for investment from developed countries.  Turkey is expected to have the highest GDP growth, 7.3% in 2010 and 4.5% in 2011 in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) area.

Finally, bridging North America and South America, Central America includes Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama and has a population of approximately 31 million people.

The United States is Central America’s largest trading partner.  The U.S. CAFTA-DR (United States Central American –Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement) will celebrate its 5-year anniversary in March of 2011.

In South America, Brazil, Columbia and Chile are all showing stability and growth.  Brazil will host the World Cup and Summer Olympics.  Columbia is showing signs of stabilization.  Chile while smaller, affords opportunity with transparency and ease of doing business.

The Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) contributed these statistics and serve to foster a positive business climate that encourages quality economic development through financial and technical assistance provided in support of local and regional economic development activities throughout the State of Colorado.

For the news of upcoming local International events visit the Denver Board online at www.DenverRealtors.org or the Colorado Council of FIABCI-USA’s website, ColoradoCouncilofFIABCIUSA.org.

Emerging Markets – Doing Business in Politically-Sensitive Countries

Denver Board of Realtors® Local International Council Presents….

Emerging Markets – Doing Business in Politically-Sensitive Countries

November 30, 2010, 4:00-6:00 p.m. at DBR

“Emerging Markets- Latin America”
Stephanie Garnica, Director, Trade & Investment for Central America and NAFTA; Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

“Emerging Markets- Europe”
Sandi Moilanen, Director, Trade & Investment for Europe, Middle East & Africa; Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

“Things Americans Should Know about China”
Abdul Sesay, Senior Policy Analyst, International Trade Coordinator; Denver Office of Economic Development

“Business Opportunities Between Colorado and Israel”
Shaul Gabbay, Professor, University of Denver; and Executive Director for the Institute for the Study of Israel in the Middle East (ISIME)

“Doing Business in Africa”
Dr. Joel Odonkor, Retired Professor from Ghana

Reservations….
No charge to attend; Refreshments provided; RSVP to 303.300.8500 (DBR reservation hotline)

Certified International Property Specialist Courses Offered at NMDRA

The Certified International Property Specialist(CIPS) Designation is the only designation of its kind in the real estate community. It’s synonymous with advanced expertise, a global perspective and distinct understanding of a global buyer, and comes with powerful brand recognition with designees in nearly 40 countries.

November 11, 12, 13, 15, 16. Price for non-CIPS attendees is $575 for the 5 classes.  These courses usually are approximately $1400. NAR is not charging royalties this year – but that ends December 31, 2010.

If you are a CIPS – you can register for the classes at $50.00 per class. Many of the classes have been updated – great refresher with a great price!

Now is the time to sign up if you have an interest in working internationally – at home and abroad.

For Questions Contact:

North Metro Denver REALTOR Association
1505 W 1st Ave
Broomfield, CO 80020
303-451-5757 office
303-451-5258 fax

Click Here to Sign-Up:
http://cipsinstitutenov2010.eventbrite.com

Click here for more information about the CIPS Designation:

http://www.realtor.org/global/cips

FIABCI-USA UN Symposium & Prix d' Excellence Gala