Media company Fractional Life is to hold its first North American shared ownership industry conference in 2010.

The Fractional Summit USA will take place in Miami, Florida, from August 31 to September 1. Fractional Life hopes the event will build on the success of its European summit, which has run annually since 2007 and last year attracted over 200 delegates.

“Despite current market conditions, leading American fractional industry professionals have requested us to launch a conference in the United States with a similar format to our European event, and we’re looking forward to their support and welcoming speakers and delegates from around the world,” said Tracey Carter, Fractional Life’s conference and event manager.

The company believes the summit will be well placed to help whole ownership developers who have seen business fall off in the last few years and who are interested in entering the shared ownership market. “Fractional real estate now operates in a completely new market paradigm where many of the ‘old rules’ no longer apply,” said Piers Brown, Fractional Life’s founder.

Europe ‘selling well’
The 2010 European summit, due to take place in London from 18 to 19 February, is already selling well, the company claims. ‘Early bird’ ticket sales have increased by over 60% compared to the same period for 2009’s event.

Topics up for discussion at this year’s European event will include how to enter the market, how to convert whole ownership to fractional, midmarket fractional, fractional agency networks, resales, and the use of new media.