Local Realtor sells Sarasota in Spain

SARASOTA — Sarasota Association of Realtors President Roger Piro was one a few Florida real estate officials who joined a delegation to Spain to pitch Sunshine State properties.

Piro was part of a group of real estate officials from Florida Realtors who attended the SIMA 2013 Madrid International Real Estate Exhibition held May 30 to June 2, according to a release. Florida was this year's special guest region at the real estate trade expo, one of the largest in Europe.

“SIMA presented an opportunity for the Sarasota Association of Realtors to promote Sarasota as a destination to Spanish and international investors from all over the world,” says Piro in the statement. “The expo's focus on Florida allowed us to showcase the beautiful beaches and amazing lifestyle that Sarasota offers, during a time that international buyers are flocking to Florida.”

More than 20,000 visitors attended the SIMA expo this year, according to Florida Realtors, a trade organization for Realtors statewide. Representatives from the Miami Association of Realtors and the Orlando Regional Realtor Association joined Piro at the conference.