By Jacob Bruynell, Governmental Affairs Manager of Greater Tampa REALTORS®
With the Florida legislative session starting early in 2020, we are excited to embark on our annual excursion to Tallahassee for the 2020 Great American REALTOR® Days (GARD). During this exciting time at the Capitol, REALTORS® will network with like-minded professionals, meet with lawmakers on pending real estate legislation and discuss important issues impacting Florida’s real estate industry.
This year, a charter bus is scheduled to depart from GTR on Monday, February 3 and return on Wednesday, February 5. The cost of attendance is the registration fee plus the price of the hotel room, space permitting. An open house will take place from 1 – 5 p.m. on Monday, February 3 at the Florida REALTORS® Office of Public Policy. Anyone registered for GARD is invited to stop by to enjoy light refreshments. Tuesday will commence with a Legislative Issues Briefing & Lunch followed by hill with a Legislative Issues Briefing & Lunch followed by hill visits with your respective legislators. After a hard day lobbying on the hill, a section of downtown Tallahassee will be closed for a street party for all attendees. Included in the celebration will be complimentary drink tickets, entertainment and popular Florida cuisine!
Remember, as a REALTOR®, you represent the Greater Tampa Bay area homebuyers / owners, commercial real estate and real estate professionals. Attending GARD is not only a great investment in your business, it also provides you with an opportunity to build relationships with Florida’s most dynamic political leaders. For more information on this great opportunity, please email me at jacob@tamparealtors.org or call me directly at 813-769-7184.
Over the years, REALTORS® who participated in Great American REALTOR® Days have been instrumental in legislation that:
- Cut the Business Rent Tax by $31 million
- Added $110 million for affordable housing projects
- Allocated more than $400 million for Florida’s natural resources
- Capped community association fees for estoppel certificates
- Protected homeowners for excessive flood insurance increases
- Stopped a sales commission on your sales
