EVX 2023: The Recap

The first EVX was a conference of forty-five people in New York City. Flash forward ten years, and Engel & Völkers’ annual marquee event has blossomed into a full-blown, action packed event featuring impactful speakers, integrated learning, and networking opportunities with the best in the industry.  

Last week, 1,500 Engel & Völkers real estate professionals came together at the gorgeous Fontainebleau in Miami and witnessed the official unveiling of our brand’s next era. 

It was an unforgettable experience, and we recapped highlights below—just for you. 

Sunday, March 12 | Day One

The afternoon and early evening saw many begin their time at EVX with the necessary first step: registration. As attendees stopped by and gathered their badges, the first of many hellos, hugs, and introductions built a steady excitement for the days to come.

Around the corner, our brand partners shared their exciting offerings—showcasing how their products and services can elevate and streamline our network’s businesses. Throughout the day, the hotel’s expansive Luster Gallerie filled with Engel & Völkers professionals from across the Americas and around the globe. 

In the late afternoon, Engel & Völkers Yachting hosted a dockside soiree for Private Office; here, guests enjoyed refreshments and toured two sporty boats, which are exclusively represented by Engel & Völkers Yachting.

Later that evening, Engel & Völkers Private Office members gathered once again for an exciting biannual induction ceremony. At the renowned Scarpetta restaurant, seventeen Engel & Völkers professionals’ outstanding successes were recognized by Engel & Völkers Americas president and CEO Anthony Hitt, Engel & Völkers Global CEO Sven Odia, Senior Vice President of Designation Services Laura DesMoine, and Global Head of Private Office and Engel & Völkers Americas Chief Strategy Officer Stuart Siegel. 

Please join us in celebrating our new attendees and this glorious night with our press release.

To cap the night, attendees enjoyed networking at the Engel & Völkers Villa Bar. 

Monday, March 13 | Day Two

The day began with our much-anticipated breakfast learning sessions. Guests chose from four discussions—led by Engel & Völkers leadership from our Americas headquarters and local shops. 

Support Staff Breakfast: Our marketing, operations, and financial professionals gathered to discuss the insights that would continue to empower them in providing the strongest support possible for our advisors. 

Investment Breakfast: Led by Amy Leong and Ally Ballam of Engel & Völkers Vancouver, guests explored how Engel & Völkers professionals can create new revenue streams for themselves and their clients alike.

Leadership Breakfast: License partners came together to discuss everything that goes into running efficient and profitable businesses in shifting markets.

Networking & Referral Breakfast: Last, but not least, this breakfast focused on the unparalleled opportunities that come with being a part of the Engel & Völkers brand and gave attendees a chance to connect with peers from across the country

Starting at 1:00 p.m. EDT, the beginning moments of general session will forever lie in the Engel & Völkers history books. The brand refinement, presented by the very individuals who led its development, was revealed to all of our attendees (both in Miami and via live stream). Senior Vice President of Marketing for Engel & Völkers Americas Katelyn Castellano, Senior Vice President of Product for Engel & Völkers Americas Jill DeSilva, Anthony Hitt, Sven Odia, and Head of Brand Management for Engel & Völkers Lara Maier discussed how this refinement is pivotal for Engel & Völkers’ continued leadership in the real estate industry—positioning our people, places, and properties for success.

Our brand refinement will push us to the next level for years to come.

Sven Odia

That evening, with so much to celebrate already, we hosted our famous welcoming reception on the Fontainebleau’s poolside grounds. Our 1,500 guests enjoyed great food and drinks—and even better company. Music, lawn games, and a Live Your Luxury. flower wall, underneath a Miami sunset, made for perfect photo opportunities and our best Opening Night event yet. 

Tuesday, March 14 | Day Three

Day three brought powerful speakers from the real estate industry and beyond to center stage. Starting with our RED Talks, industry professionals Senior Vice President of Strategy and Engagement, California Association of Realtors® Sara Sutachan and Andrew Ellet of Engel & Völkers Jackson Hole talked about how real estate professionals can shift their perceptions of themselves and those of the market to better let their expertise shine. These were complemented by talks by expert digital seller AK Ikwuakor and mindset professional Kathleen Black, who both encouraged guests to rethink their “limits.”

Up next, our world-famous keynote speaker, Diana Nyad, told the story of her refusal to give up and unwavering commitment to pursue perhaps impossible dreams. The essence of her talk: even if the journey does not end at the final destination, it is the courage to fail by drilling down to one’s true grit that is worth celebrating. Her gripping command and presence brought every single one of our guests to their feet, many with a tear or two in their eyes.

I have three messages. One: we should never, ever give up. Two: you’re never too old to chase your dream. Three: It looks like a solitary sport, but it is a team.

Diana Nyad

The afternoon of speaking engagements ended with educational breakout sessions, during which our attendees chose from a variety of topics like digital marketing, social media strategy, video SEO, Google ads, how to effectively sell yourself, how to generate more content ideas, and how to secure more listings (just to name a few).

That evening, our Awards Dinner, Ceremony, and, of course, the much-anticipated After Party, commenced.

Over a three-course formal dinner in the grand ballroom of the Fontainebleau, our guests cheered on friends and colleagues from shops across the Americas. These individuals, teams, and shops—whose hard work and resilience have continued to deliver success no matter the market—inspired us all to continue doing what we do best: provide the highest-possible-quality luxury real estate experiences.

Leading the charge, the prestigious Engel & Völkers Cup was presented to Engel & Völkers Dallas Southlake and its license partner Roxann Taylor for their significant achievements in productivity and, strong commitment to the Engel & Völkers identity. 

To top it all off, we ended with our infamous After Party. This year, guests were invited to continue the celebration with not one, but two, experiences. LIV Nightclub was in full effect—outfitted with a light show featuring the refined Engel & Völkers branding—and complimented by a swanky lounge scene at the Arkadia Grill and Pool.

All in all, our tenth annual EVX reminded us of this: there is immense privilege and pride in representing Engel & Völkers.

Thank you to all of our guests who attended EVX 2023, and we look forward to doing it bigger and better next year in Las Vegas. 

All photography by AJ Canaria.

The post EVX 2023: The Recap appeared first on Engel & Völkers.