Bermuda’s real estate firms are to join forces to help provide accommodation for America’s Cup crews and staff.

The industry has got together in a bid to provide a seamless service to the thousands of people expected to descend on Bermuda in the run-up to the 2017 event.

And Bermuda Chamber of Commerce real estate members have already met on-Island representative of the America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA) Dede Cooper at the Chamber’s Hamilton HQ to hammer out plans — including an online portal showcasing properties available for the event.

Chamber of Commerce executive director Kendaree Burgess said: “We are all looking for a fair and open process and the Chamber is going to play a role in talking to the America’s Cup Bermuda people about housing the visiting teams through the Chambers’s real estate division.”

She added that the Chamber will coordinate requests and distribute potential clients’ details to all its real estate members.

Ms Burgess said: “It’s so everyone can get a fair shot at the same time.”

She added that the meeting had also discussed “managing the expectations of homeowners” — emphasising that America’s Cup visitors will be looking for a wide range of properties.

Rego Sotheby’s International partner Penny MacIntyre — who attended the meeting — said Ms Cooper “is hoping to establish a protocol on how we as an industry attends to the requirements for real estate, whether it’s long-term, medium or short-term — which could be a week or so for the events.”

She added: “The ACEA is looking to be able to do business with the community at large here, in particular the provision of services, so they have reached out to Chamber of Commerce and real estate professionals who are members of the Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s fantastic — certainly this is a plus for us to be working in conjunction with the Chamber. We are able to receive this as a benefit and also work together to establish best practices with our peers so we can service the event’s needs. It also allows us to bring all our inventory together.

“It’s a good way to be more seamless in addition to presenting properties. It’s a big undertaking.

She added: “All the Chamber real estate members are registered and they follow best practices and ethics.”

Ms MacIntyre added: “It’s also to educate the community on how to price properties and if they have permission and are legally permitted to rent out their properties.”

And she said: “There is certainly enthusiasm about the America’s Cup — but people are always cautiously optimistic when it comes to execution. We want to do this well.

“It’s important people recognise not only our ability to go and pitch for this, but also to deliver well.”

Ms MacIntyre added: “We’re all happy to have this kind of challenge to work through. It’s fantastic for the Island and we hope we all come together as registered members of the Chamber of Commerce and professionals to make this happen, sooner rather than later.”