The AIPP today announced full details of its annual awards programme, concluding on Friday 11th March 2011 when the winners will be revealed in front of a consumer audience at A Place in the Sun Live, Earls Court London. “We’re thrilled to be confirming that the AIPP Awards will again have a public presentation ceremony, following the success of this year’s awards at A Place in the Sun Live,” says AIPP’s Chief Executive Mark Sharp. “With the winners being duly awarded in front of the very people they are working hard to service – the buyer of overseas property – we can ensure maximum recognition for the successful winners of these coveted awards.”

Now in their 3rd year, the AIPP Awards focus purely on customer service and pride themselves on limiting the number of awards handed out, ensuring the value of the award winners’ badge for those companies coming top in each category. This year the categories are extended to 13 to take into account the top customer service levels provided by the AIPP’s Associate Members, such as lawyers and foreign exchange providers, and also to recognise the increase of fractional products in the international property industry. Sharp explains:

“As with the rest of the Awards, we are not setting out to judge different fractional products, but rather, the level of customer care, due diligence and consumer protection that sellers of fractional property can provide. We have also opened up some award categories to our Associate Members in recognition of their important role in international property transactions, ensuring that the overall experience of buying an overseas property is an enjoyable and successful one.”

The AIPP’s judging criteria is based on the client’s perspective and the panel of judges are asked to put themselves in the position of the international property buyer, posing the question: “What do I want to see in an agent or a developer to reassure me that they will deliver?” Questions facing entrants cover the due diligence processes in advance of selling, the transparency of the marketing and the successful delivery of promised service to clients.

Christopher Hamer, the Ombudsman for Estate Agents, has again agreed to be Chair of the independent judging panel for the third year running, a panel which will be compiled of both international property professionals and independents from outside the sector.

Entry to the AIPP Awards 2011 is now open and is exclusive to AIPP Members. Companies who are not yet Members of AIPP can apply for membership now, and become eligible to compete for an AIPP Award. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

The AIPP Awards are wholly owned and organised by the AIPP. They are an independent, not-for-profit initiative to reward customer service excellence in the international property sector.
Entries to the AIPP Awards must be received by 4th February 2011 and the 13 winning companies will be announced at the AIPP Awards Ceremony on Friday 11th March 2011. Entry is open to companies within AIPP membership. Non-Member companies are invited to contact AIPP to find out more about the benefits of membership, including entry to the AIPP Awards.

For more information, please contact the AIPP direct on +44 (0)20 3207 9095 or awards@aipp.org.uk.