When you meet Chris Gardner you very quickly realise he has real gravity and presence. Chief of Everything O – Leanne Christie and I have seen many speakers during our years with Ovations. I have to say we shared a moment as we sat in the second row watching Chris close AREC 2013: The World's Best Real Estate Event. A world class event, delivering a world class speaker and experience for their audience. It was a poignant reminder of why we are a part of this industry and a great example of what the right person, at the right time, with the right message can create.
During the keynote there was laughter, tears and spontaneous applause as Chris shared his story and lessons learned along the way.
It's always telling when you look around the room. Chris had an audience of 2,500 captivated from the word go.
Total Real Estate Event Manager Amanda Hunter sums it up perfectly
"Many of us were touched in different ways from him sharing his journey and I know there were few dry eyes in the house and yet there were people taking notes at the same time...just so many great life lessons in his speech. As soon as he had finished I had 2,500 people on their feet applauding him – I could not have asked for a better way to close my program".
My favourite moment of the day – this photo of the Event Manager Amanda Hunter sharing a moment with Chris!
Our phone ran red hot when the media got wind of Chris's arrival! Australia did get to experience a little of Chris when Ten's The Project Panel interviewed him followed by Nine's The Today Show the following morning (watch the video on Chris' profile) . Ovations are hoping that Australia get to see a whole lot more of Chris Gardner when he returns to the region in September.
