Apply Now for the 2024 Circle of Excellence Award Program

How to Complete your CEA Application Application Deadline: Friday, January 19, 2024. There will be no extensions. VOLUME REQUIREMENT NOTE: The minimum volume requirement to be accepted into the Circle of Excellence Award program is $5 million of TOTAL volume credit. See the new detailed calculation guidelines on pages 4 -7 of the Rules. GETTING STARTED Visit the Circle of Excellence Award (CEA) website for all key forms, short tutorials for completing your transaction worksheet, and the final application. This year, entry is simpler and requires fewer fields. STEP ONE: Choose your Transaction Entry Option. OPTION ONE: WORKSHEET TRANSACTION ENTRY From the Circle of Excellence website, click on the CEA Entry Form. Save As your CEA Entry Form to your computer, naming it with your Last Name » . » First and Middle Initial » . » CEA2023. For example, John B. Doe’s entry form will be named Doe.JB.CEA2023.xlsx. If you have a popular name, add additional identifying notes. Open the document to the first worksheet (see tab titled “Entry Summary”). Input your basic contact information as requested. Other items on this page include summary tables based on your input on the other sheets and are for reference only. NOTES: We suggest using a current version of Microsoft Excel; however, Google Sheets may function properly with the same entry instructions. This Entry Form contains some locked fields for quicker entry. INPUT YOUR TRANSACTION DATA In the CEA Entry Form, there are three (3) transaction worksheets ready for input (see tabs near the bottom of the screen): Buyer/Tenant Rep, Seller/Landlord Rep, and Dual Agency (as defined on page 5 of the Rules). Please input the required fields based on your representation of the deal. To start entering your data, open your saved CEA Entry Form and: Click the first field to the far left (Award Category). Choose the Transaction Type from the drop-down field options. This will be based on the award category, as determined by the Rules. See page 3 of the Rules and for categorization, see pages 7-9). Tab to each field, providing full data for each transaction one at a time for sales or leases completed in the award year. Tab at the end of each line, to return to the next line and continue your input of transactions. Save your input frequently to prevent data loss. NOTES: Accurate Entry - when your transaction volume credit is entered correctly and the total equals 100% credit between brokers (Applicant, In-Market Brokers, and Out-of-Market Brokers), the last column will appear green. If the transaction does not calculate to 100%, it will be disqualified. Dual Agency tab – to qualify, you must have a signed agreement by both parties to claim Dual Agency. If you do not and enter “no” on the entry form, the tab will turn red. Please remove the data and enter the transaction on the appropriate tab. Agreements may be requested by the Award Committee, for verification. More information is available on page 5 section 7.a.9. of the Rules. Volume Credit – each side of the deal is allowed to claim 100% of the value of the transaction (split between the brokers that shared in the commission). All brokers must be listed by name (for in-market) and by office (for out-of-market) on each transaction. See page 4 of the Rules. To view a summary of the transactions entered, click on the Entry Summary tab. OPTION TWO: PRE-APPROVED TRANSACTION ENTRY FROM A FIRM SYSTEM Rather than keying all the information, Applicants with a firm transaction/commission tracking system that provides the required data, may request approval to submit data directly from a system report. Firms may also use this process to submit multiple applicant data. To gain approval, please contact paula@crcbr.org to review the submission requirements. All requests (and a sample submission) must be submitted by Friday, January 12, 2024. Review and an approval notification will be provided within two (2) business days. Since this is a new process, we recommend you start early. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION STEP TWO: Complete the online application to submit your CEA Entry Form and application fees. Click on the link : Apply Now. Complete the application fully, uploading your completed CEA Entry Form, certifying all statements, and submit your application payment. Partially completed forms will not be accepted. Via email, you will receive a payment receipt AND a copy of your submission. A copy of your completed submission (including the CEA entry form) will be forwarded to your Broker-in-Charge, by the CRCBR team. Approval by the BIC is required to complete your application process. Remind your BIC to review and approve the form within the requested timeframe. If you or anyone in your firm has not paid their 2024 CRCBR/CBC dues, you and the BIC will be notified, and immediate resolution is needed to complete your submission. SUBMISSION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2024. CHECKLIST ☐  A current member in good-standing (all dues and outstanding balances are paid). ☐  With a firm of which all brokers 2024 dues are paid-in-full. ☐  Complete the transaction entry form and your 2023 total production of new real estate brokerage business is $5 million or more. ☐  Submit the Application form, including the Transaction Entry Form, and the application fee. ☐  RSVP (via the application form) regarding your participation in the 2024 Award celebration lunch on March 6. WE WILL REGISTER APPLICANTS FOR THE LUNCH. ☐  Remind your BIC to review and certify your application (as received via email). ☐  If applicable, submit a photo if you are being considered for a Special Recognition Award or have more than $15 million in Award Program Volume Credit (see page 2 of the Rules). Submit to awards@crcbr.org.

Overview

Here is a quick overview of the Circle of Excellence Award Program or CEA:

• Calculating Volume Credit.  Each side of the deal will receive 100% of the total transaction value.  Thus, if you are a buyers/tenant representative for a $3 million accumulated lease transaction, your team will allocate the full $3 million, based on the % commission credit (thus if you receive 50% of the commission, you will receive $1.5 million volume credit).
• Total Volume Credit. The minimum threshold for transaction credit in 2023, is $5 million.
• Submitting Your Transactions.  There are three options:  1) complete the provided CEA Entry Form (excel) and submit via the new application portal; 2) use the online entry portal; or 3) firms that have multiple firm submissions may seek pre-approval submission via reporting from their transaction tracking system.  Contact Paula@crcbr.org for more details on pre-approval.  All award applications will be required to be fully paid prior to consideration.
• Award Categories.  There are eight (8) categories for top producer categories.  The top producer in each category will be recognized with three (3) runners-up (in no specific order).
• Opt-Out Option of Charlotte Business Journal and Social Media Recognition.  Do you like to submit but not be published?  In 2024, you can opt-out of this recognition.

1. WHEN IS THE APPLICATION DEADLINE?

Friday, January 19, 2024. All applications must be submitted online via the electronic application site (attaching your Entry Form) which can be accessed at www.crcbr.org/cea. All your Award transaction data must be submitted electronically via the portal.  Your 2024 CRCBR dues must be paid-in-full, the $85 Award application fee paid, the application submitted, and BIC approval, for your application to be considered.  There will be NO Application extensions.

2. HOW MUCH IS THE APPLICATION FEE?

The application fee is $85 and will be paid via the application portal. Your fee includes attending the celebration luncheon, all advertising for the Circle of Excellence Award program, and Award expenses.  Volume level awards may be purchased directly from a link that will be provided after the luncheon.

3. WHAT IS THE VOLUME REQUIREMENT FOR THE 2023 CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE AWARD?

The minimum volume requirement is $5 million for 2023 sales production.  Full volume credit is allowed for either side of the deal (Buyer/Tenant or Seller/Landlord).  Claiming dual agency requires an executed agreement by both parties (see page 5 section 7.a.9. of the Rules).

4. IF A BROKER WHO COOPERATED ON A TRANSACTION WITH ME IS NOT GOING TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, CAN I TAKE CREDIT FOR THE ENTIRE TRANSACTION?

No. You may only take credit for the part of the transaction you completed, and the volume credit must be calculated in direct proportion of the percent commission you received. For instance, if you cooperated with someone representing the same side of the transaction on a $3 million dollar transaction with a commission of 50%, then you can claim $1.5 million in sales volume credit.

5. CAN I COUNT OUT OF STATE TRANSACTIONS TOWARDS MY TOTAL VOLUME?

Yes. Like noted above, all brokers paid a commission must be listed along with their percentage of commissions earned to qualify.

6. CAN I CLAIM A TRANSACTION THAT WAS NOT COUNTED FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR TOWARDS THIS YEAR’S CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE?

No. Only transactions for sales or leases that were completed or fully executed during the qualifying year (2023) can count towards Award volume credit, regardless of when the paperwork was turned in.

7. CAN I COUNT REFERRAL FEES AS A PART OF YOUR CEA VOLUME CREDIT?

No. Credit is not allowed for appraisals, evaluations, consultations, referral fees or fee-based non-contingent income.

8. CAN I STILL CLAIM CREDIT FOR A TRANSACTION THAT CLOSED IN 2022 IF A COMMISSION CHECK HAS NOT BEEN COLLECTED?

Yes.  You can still claim credit for a transaction that was fully executed and signed during the 2023 qualifying sales year, if the commission or brokerage fee paid is reflected on a closing statement, lease agreement, valid commission agreement, voucher, or disclosure statement.

9. IF I SELL PROPERTY IN WHICH I HAVE OWNERSHIP, CAN I TAKE CREDIT FOR THE ENTIRE SALE?

You can claim credit for the entire sale if you have less than 10% interest/ownership in the property that was sold. However, any transaction in which the Applicant (either individually or as a principal of a partnership, LLC, corporation, or co-tenancy) owns more than a 10% interest in the property, shall not be used for volume credit (rules, page 4 section 7.a.2).

10. IF I SOLD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY DURING MY QUALIFYING YEAR, CAN I CLAIM THAT VOLUME TOWARDS MY TOTAL CREDIT ON MY APPLICATION?

Residential transactions may be claimed towards your total Award credit, if 75% of your sales volume is Commercial.

11. HOW DO I DETERMINE MY TRANSACTION TYPE?

Instructions on categorizing transactions appear in the rules 7-9.  Applicants are responsible for categorizing all transactions.

12. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE RECOGNIZED IN EACH TOP PRODUCER CATEGORY?

In 2024, Top Producers will be recognized in eight (8) categories.  Within those categories, the top four (4) producers shall be recognized.  The first top producer will receive a special award and pictured in the Charlotte Business Journal, with the other three (3) runners-up noted in alphabetical order.  In the Investment categories, two (2) runners-up will be recognized.  The Award Committee, at its discretion, may consider reducing the number of top producer awards that will be given based on the number of applications received in each respective category.

The ranking is based on the pure volume of the respective category. Each potential top producer application will be reviewed carefully for validity and accuracy. The committee will not be held responsible for inaccurate information submitted and volume placed under the wrong category by the applicant. It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit accurate data.

13. IF I HAVE PAID MY 2023 DUES HOWEVER OTHERS IN MY FIRM HAVE NOT, CAN I APPLY BEFORE THE OTHER MEMBERS PAY?

All CEA Applicants must be members in-good-standing, meaning all dues and fees are paid-in-full.  You may apply for the CEA, however, to complete the approval of your application, all members from your firm, must pay their 2024 dues in-full.

14. WHAT OTHER AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED?

Broker-to-Watch Awards:  For applicants with less than four (4) years’ experience, based on highest volume credit.

Pinnacle Awards: recognizing ongoing participation in the award program, recognizing for each ten (10) years of participation.

Volume Recognition: based on total production levels.  No dollar figures will be included in the award recognition.  The following levels will be recognized:

Platinum – over $30 million

Gold - $20 to $30 million

Silver – $10 to $20 million

Bronze - $5 to $10 million

Applicants may opt-in or -out of the media recognition during the application process.

 

We no longer present top producer awards based on total volume of all combined categories, firm size, or developer vs. broker production.

15. WILL AWARD PLAQUES OR CERTIFICATES BE PRESENTED?

The top producers (in each category) will be recognized with a custom award during the celebration lunch.  All award winners may choose to order a plaque recognizing their volume award category directly from the vendor.  An order link will be sent following the celebration lunch.  The cost, depending on shipping, will be approximately $85.  Delivery takes approximately three (3) weeks.

16. CAN MY CEA APPLICATION FEE BE REFUNDED OR TRANSFERRED?

No. The 2024 application fee is $85 and is non-refundable and non-transferable. The application fee covers various costs to bring together the entire production.

17. WHEN AND WHERE WILL THE CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE AWARD PROGRAM TAKE PLACE?

Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 11:30am to 1:30pm at the Terrace at Cedar Hill.  Applicants may attend free of charge by RSVPing during the application process.  General registration is open for anyone with an interest in celebrating the successes of 2023.  More information is available at www.crcbr.org.

18. ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

Contact the CRCBR offices at 704.377.8982 x107 or email us at awards@crcbr.org.