Technology was the star of the show with new initiatives introduced that give Howard Hanna agents the best tools in the business. Also unveiled was a new and improved ‘GoHanna’ intranet system, new version of Hanna Presentations, the exclusive company listing program, and the brand new Hanna University, the new online training portal for Hanna agents featuring hundreds of videos, webinars and online classes at every level of expertise, whether an agent wants to deepen their knowledge about architectural styles or learn how to maximize negotiating skills. All speakers at the convention will be updating videos and webinars on Hanna University on a regular basis.
President Helen Hanna Casey was there with her Google Glass as one of the first Google Glass Explorers testing the wearable computer with optical head-mounted display. “It is a mobile world now,” Casey said. “Technology is wonderful but it needs your knowledge. Google Glass or your iPhone can tell you how to get to a neighborhood, but it’s our agents that know all about that neighborhood. They can tell their customer what’s on the way there, who lives there, and what schools are best in the area. Realtors are the best answer to any of their questions.”
Jim Brown and Classic Auto Group were a big part of Vendor Village with more than 20 green Hanna-mobiles on display, and he gave away a brand new one! Marilyn Latine, one of the top agents in the Howard Hanna Akron office, won a green 2014 Toyota Rav4.
Two prestigious company awards were presented at the convention. The most coveted award given out by the Hanna family is the Anne F. Hanna Legacy Award honoring their mother. This award went to Sally Stewart of the Rocky River office for the wonderful fundraising work she does throughout the region and for all she gives back to the community. To honor the 25th anniversary of Howard Hanna’s Choo Choo Chow Chow fundraising campaign for children’s free medical care, a special award was presented to the originator of the Chow Chow, Cathy Winghart, Vice President and manager of the Wexford office.
There were also two special auctions conducted by Hanna Chartwell’s Mac Bigger and Gordon Greene live on stage. Renee Vartorella of the Macedonia office was the high bidder on a Hilton Head condo timeshare and Sue Musulin, Bonnie Bagay and Patty Morgan of the Upper St. Clair office were the high bidders for the Hanna Luxury Suite at Heinz Field for the December 29th Steelers/Browns game. All proceeds went to the Howard Hanna Children’s Free Card Fund.
For more information, visit www.howardhanna.com.
