TRISH NASH
Real Estate Exec: Women’s Council of REALTORS^®

When the Las Vegas Women’s Council of REALTORS^® (WCR) celebrated the installation of the board that included Trish Nash as their 2008 president on November 6, the association’s members got a taste of good things to come in the upcoming year. Never one to conform, Trish’s unique entertainment for the event included a Jay Leno impersonator and a touching performance by Sign Design Theatre, a group of children who performed in sign language.

“I had a song written by my fiancé, George Dare, called ‘When I Grow Up, I Wanna be a REALTOR^®’ and the children performed it beautifully,” says Trish, co-owner/broker of EXIT Realty Unlimited. “I heard from a lot of people that it was unique and different, but I was just being me. I wanted everyone there to feel pride and appreciation for who we are as a group. I really felt the dinner helped people feel like they were part of an organization—it wasn’t just about me.”

Today, with more than 301 local chapters and 18,000 members, WCR is the 12th largest women's professional organization and has one of the most successful communication networks in the REALTOR^® family. Despite its name, the organization includes both male and female members. The Las Vegas chapter has 225 members and is the second largest chapter in the nation. And with Trish on board as chapter president, it is likely that the organization will continue to grow.

Trish takes her elected position very seriously and has already started working toward her vision to retain and recruit members. “It’s both an honor and a challenge coming in at a time when there is so much turbulence in the industry,” she says. “In today’s market, REALTORS^® have less disposable income and are pulling back on which organizations they are choosing to affiliate with. My goal is to make clear the many benefits we have to offer.”

In addition to retaining the chapter’s members, Trish aspires to grow the organization. By offering a variety of classes, programs and panels that address the industry’s latest topics and challenges, she is confident that members will see that the training and networking opportunities the chapter provides far outweigh the small membership fee of $150 per year.

“The benefits are clear,” she says. “Women’s Council members are twice as productive as non-members, earning an average salary of $117,000 per year. Our members have a unique opportunity to network with some of the most successful REALTORS^® in the industry. We create an environment in which members network, brainstorm and even help each other sell listings.”

In 2008, Trish plans to host a success panel of local REALTORS^® who have remained successful throughout the Real Estate downturn, including a woman who recently won a spot on REALTOR^® Magazine’s “30 Under 30” list; Eve Mazzarella also happens to be the feature in this month’s issue of E RealEstateExec.

Trish is also planning a technology fair, which will give agents an opportunity to see demos by major technology vendors. “Technology in Real Estate is really the wave of the future,” she says. “At the fair, our members will have the opportunity to talk to the vendors and learn how to do things like post panoramic images of their properties and run their businesses remotely through handheld devices.”

WCR is constantly working toward staying on top of industry and technology trends. Trish plans to continue embracing technology to attract a new generation of REALTORS^®. She credits E RealEstateExec with helping her improve her business substantially.

She frequently shares E RealEstateExec articles with her clients and peers. “The information is very cutting-edge and I love the fact that it is not the traditional negative news we are seeing all over the media,” she says. “There is so much helpful and positive information on the site. REALTORS^® who are using technology are also reading E RealEstateExec, so it’s a great partnership.”

As president, Trish aims to focus on what is right and strong in the industry, rather than what is wrong. “All we’re seeing in the media is the doom and gloom in the industry and it has a psychological effect on all of us,” says Trish. “We really need to focus on success and how we can achieve it despite such conditions. If we position ourselves right now, we can have so much more business when the market turns around. My main goal is to keep our members motivated, excited and proud to be REALTORS^®.”

Trish has high hopes for 2008, both for WCR and the Real Estate industry as a whole. “It is a slow time for REALTORS^® but there are still so many opportunities,” she says. “While WCR membership is important in a thriving market, it is even more important in a challenging market. REALTORS^® need to get back to basics and learn new tools. This is a place they can come to get motivation, education and a sense of hope.”

Trish can be reached by phone at (702) 290-9149 or by e-mail at Trish@exitlv.com. Visit the Las Vegas Chapter of the Women’s Council of REALTORS^® at www.wcrlv.org.

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Photography: Elisabeth Libby