I wanted to share the success of our Southern California CRS Chapter at the SDAR Trade Expo, held yesterday (Friday May 4) in San Diego.

The booth was set up Thursday afternoon, and we were there all day Friday from 8 am until 5 pm. Here are the highlights:

• 114 agents came by, dropped off business cards, and spent time talking with us about CRS - what the designation is, how to obtain it, the value, the costs, and more. Most people who came by had heard of CRS but were not clear on what getting the designation entailed. We had a great time sharing what we knew about being a CRS and the value that it has for all of us. It was also a chance to tell folks more about our terrific chapter and being elected Chapter of the Year in 2006.

GARY WILSON of Coldwell Banker in San Diego won the $100 Crate and Barrel Gift Card drawing.

Three people signed up for the next CRS 210 Class in San Diego on May 24 and 25.

One person joined our Southern California CRS Chapter on the spot.

I want to share a SPECIAL THANKS to the CRS Chapter members who helped with setting up the booth and staffing it during the trade show. I could not have done it without the help of these dedicated individuals, and I'm sure each was an inspiration to the individual agents they talked with about becoming a CRS.

Lois Hughes (helped with set-up AND running a shift) - Keller Williams Central Coast, Pismo Beach (MIDDLE LEFT PHOTOS)

Barbara Brokaw - Eagle Estates Realty, San Diego (MIDDLE RIGHT)

Shirley and Peter Tenger - Prudential California Realty, Dana Point (BOTTOM RIGHT, on the right)

Barbara DuDeck - RE/MAX Ranch and Beach, San Diego (BOTTOM LEFT, on the right)

Vicki Puterbaugh - Rancon Real Estate, Temecula (BOTTOM LEFT, on the left)

Rita Brooks - Keller Williams Realty, Escondido (BOTTOM RIGHT, on the left)

Thanks to all for making this a success!!

Jeff Dowler, ABR, CRS, e-PRO, SRES

Area VP - San Diego, SoCalCRS

RE/MAX Associates, Encinitas