Culture

Keller Williams Turns Global Conference into "Mega Relief" Event

Austin, TX | September 18, 2017

Thousands of agents gather in Austin for week of Harvey, Irma assistance

AUSTIN, TEXAS Sept. 18, 2017 — The world’s largest real estate company is raising $20 million for hurricane recovery and turning its international conference into a weeklong disaster response campaign. From Sept. 11-15, more than 4,125 attendees cleaned more than 150 flooded homes, volunteered with nonprofits, and with the City of Austin and local businesses to gather supplies and raise funds. 

When Hurricane Harvey devastated the Texas coast, Keller Williams was putting the finishing touches on planning a convention for thousands of its associates from around the world. It soon faced a major decision. 

With Austin Mayor Steve Adler announcing that Austin would welcome thousands of hurricane evacuees to the Austin Convention Center, Keller Williams turned away millions of dollars in revenue and pivoted its event from Mega Camp to Mega Relief.

“We had the hotel rooms, we had the buses, and we had the hardest-working, most compassionate real estate agents in the world,” CEO John Davis said. “We decided to do the right thing and leverage the energy and generosity of our associates to make a real difference in people’s lives.”

Working with community partners and disaster relief organizations like the Austin Disaster Relief Network, Central Texas Food Bank, and Salvation Army, Keller Williams agents were bused to volunteer sites during the day and return to Austin for events that raise awareness and funds.

The outpouring of support is the latest chapter in a strong legacy of giving by the company and its associates. Following Hurricane Katrina, for example, the company’s associates raised more than $5.3 million for hurricane victims and their families. It has already surpassed that total for Hurricane Harvey and is determined to raise $20 million.

Keller Williams’ charitable 501(c)(3) organization, KW Cares, has already sent more than 3,000 volunteers into the Houston and Beaumont areas to rip out drywall and clean more than 200 homes. Additionally, KW Cares has sent more than a dozen 18-wheelers filled with supplies to areas affected by Harvey and to Florida to support with Irma recovery. 

“This is our culture. This is who we are. We’re one family and we’re always going to take care of our people,” Davis said. “With Mega Relief, what we’re especially excited about is the opportunity to work with partners in Austin and in these communities directly impacted by these storms to come together to help people in need.”

For more information, visit megarelief.org

About Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Austin, Texas-based Keller Williams Realty, Inc. is the world’s largest real estate franchise, with more than 840 offices and 170,000 associates across the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. In 2017, Training Magazine named Keller Williams the No. 1 training organization across all industries in the world.

Since 1983, Keller Williams has grown exponentially and continues to cultivate an agent-centric, education-based, technology-driven culture that rewards agents as stakeholders. The company also provides specialized agents in luxury homes, commercial and farm and ranch properties.

For more information, visit kw.com.

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