Each Friday, Robbie Briggs, CEO of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty, writes about luxury, trends, business and more in the advertising pages of the Mansion section of The Wall Street Journal. Below is his letter of September 23, 2022.

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

As I write this, 800 agents from around the Sotheby’s International Realty global network are mixing it up in Austin, Texas. There may be disco dancing involved. And light-up cowboy hats.

But, the real reasons they are there go much deeper than a little glitz and glam. They are there to trade ideas and stories. There are seminars and workshops and mentors to learn from. There are fresh tips on selling and staying in touch, with each other and with their clients.

Bottom line: They are there to better their business — which is better for you.

It’s called the Texas Networking Event and there is nothing like it. It is hosted by three of the Sotheby’s International Realty affiliates in the great state of Texas: Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty in San Antonio and Austin; Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty in Houston; and Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty in Dallas, Fort Worth and across North Texas.

Working together is a hallmark of the most powerful network in real estate. Not only did the Texas brokerages sell an exceptional $9.5 billion in properties last year, the three host brokerages of the Texas Networking Event referred each other $511 million of those sales. (That’s right — more than half a billion dollars.) And because we’re all part of that unique Sotheby’s International Realty network — 1,000 offices in 80-plus countries and territories, including Asia, Europe, Australia and anywhere you can imagine — our agents have made genuine, lifelong friendships with their peers in all kinds of places, which means you will get the same level of information, advice and service that they always strive to give you. We trust other Sotheby’s International Realty agents completely — and that’s a great feeling.

The network also means our agents are aligned with one of the world’s most recognized and respected brands: Sotheby’s, which has stood for quality and service since 1744. Working with our agents means you’re in for exceptional quality and service, anywhere.

Agents who are this connected, thoughtful and successful are exactly who you want handling your real estate transactions.

And, if they’re wearing a glowing cowboy hat, even better.

Robbie Briggs

CEO

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

rbriggs@briggsfreeman.com