Now in its third year, the ARC-owned Helix consortium has grown to about 270 members, among them agents who are new to the industry and interested in learning as much as possible to grow their business; traditional retail agencies; and other industry veterans who are longtime independent contractors affiliated with host agencies, said Jennifer Briede, senior product manager.
Helix has scheduled its premier annual event, the Helix Symposium, for May 19 to 21 in Savannah, Ga. The event will be highlighted by workshops on using social media, boosting sales strategies and creating solid customer and preferred-supplier relationships, Briede said.
Helix, which offers its members some 40 preferred suppliers, is “looking to bring value to our members and have them grow their business,” Briede said. “We've been working very hard to make this symposium special, arm our members with tools that they need to make their business successful and provide them with a boutique experience.”
Home-based agents are keenly interested in creating strong bonds with clients and suppliers, she said. “Our sessions are focused on relationship-building with clients. That is key: forming client relationships to last a lifetime.”
Nonmember agents who are interested in joining Helix are invited to attend the symposium to learn more about the consortium, which charges a $179 annual fee and allows members to keep 100% of their commissions. Helix membership is only open to ARC agencies, and Helix members have direct relationships with Helix preferred suppliers and book them however they choose. (Helix preferred suppliers recognize members by their ARC numbers.)
Among the symposium sessions are talks by ARC's Maggie Fischer, director of marketing and brand, who will discuss the “secret weapons” that ARC agencies can use to find more commission opportunities, and another session by industry veteran Joanie Ogg, principal of Joanie Ogg Marketing Group, who will speak on creating and maintaining customer relationships.