REMAX Commercial in Canada: New Leader Has Big Plans

REMAX has for many years. Now, with the addition of an experienced, well-known industry leader to the REMAX Canada team, it’s aiming to ramp up its commercial profile, too.

Damon Conrad, most recently the Vice President & General Manager of Royal LePage Commercial, joined REMAX Canada on November 10. As Vice President of REMAX Commercial in Canada, Conrad plans to grow the brand’s presence and market share across the country.

According to REMAX Canada President Don Kottick, Conrad’s hiring is a big step in shaping the future of commercial real estate across the country.

“Adding a leader like Damon is a game-changing moment for REMAX Canada and every REMAX commercial affiliate across the country,” Kottick says. “We see a tremendous opportunity to expand our commercial presence and capture a far greater share of the Canadian commercial market. Damon brings a ton of experience, insight, connections and strategic ideas to this new role. He’s here to help elevate the REMAX value proposition for current commercial affiliates – and to help attract even more commercial offices and specialists to the brand.”

Conrad shares Kottick’s enthusiasm.

“Don is phenomenal, and I really like what I’m seeing at REMAX,” Conrad says. “Updating the logos. Becoming more strategic. Launching new services. Embracing AI. There’s a lot of new energy, and I’m happy to be part of it. Let’s keep the snowball rolling; keep the momentum going.”

Currently, there are more than 800 REMAX Commercial specialists in Canada.

“There’s every reason to think REMAX can be a much larger player in Canadian commercial real estate,” says Conrad, a frequent speaker at industry events.” “We have lots to work with, including the brand’s global presence. That’s a unique and powerful competitive advantage, especially with so many international deals in the commercial space.”

Conrad, who’s based in Toronto, began his real estate career in 2001 as a commercial agent at a Royal LePage brokerage. He left in 2007, a few years after the Royal LePage Commercial brand was acquired by Cushman-Wakefield. He spent the next decade closing hundreds of transactions – including the NAIOP “Office Lease of the Year” in 2015 – and leading commercial operations for three high-end companies based in Ontario.

In 2021, Conrad returned to Royal LePage to expand the brand’s commercial presence across the country. His strong results – nearly tripling the number of commercial specialists – earned him a spot among Buzz Media’s Top 100 Most Influential Voices in Canadian Real Estate earlier this year.

“We accomplished a lot in a relatively short time frame,” he says.

As he, Kottick and the REMAX Commercial team – led by SVP Shawna Gilbert and Executive Director Kristie Kimnach – develop a Canadian strategy over the next few months, Conrad already knows one thought he’ll be championing: quality over quantity.

“Especially in commercial real estate, it’s important to add the right people to the brand to ensure you’re not diluting your reputation,” Conrad says. “We absolutely want to expand the commercial brand, but we’ll be doing it around expertise and experience. As on the residential side, we want to continue building a brand known for quality professionals.”

Part of the process will involve creating new resources, services and education tailored to Canadian commercial affiliates. Conrad is bringing plenty of new ideas to the table, and he’ll also look to adapt or evolve existing REMAX Commercial offerings.

“I see a lot of synergy – a two-way street of sharing ideas and best practices,” he says. “By adding a little more structure to the commercial program in Canada, I think we can achieve some really great results. I can’t wait to get started.

“I know a lot of REMAX agents, and I’m thrilled to be on the same team now.”

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