PayProp has announced plans to hold its first in-person agency event since before the pandemic.

The invitation-only PayProp Connect will debut on 18 November at the Chartered Accountants’ Hall in Central London, with tickets made available to PayProp Awards prize winners and selected other industry leading lights over the coming weeks.

PayProp, a rental payment and reconciliation platform, will honour top lettings professionals in an exclusive awards ceremony as part of the event, which will also feature thought leadership keynotes and platform updates from PayProp and industry partners.

“The PayProp Awards recognise the letting agents raising standards in the private rented sector through their use of technology,” said Neil Cobbold, managing director of PayProp UK. “Property professionals are doing great work making the industry more transparent and providing more value to landlords and tenants. We want to give proper recognition to that.”

Top franchise and independent agencies have been nominated for awards based on their annual growth and portfolio throughput, as well as their holistic use of technology. The PayProp Pinnacle Award will crown the day’s overall winner, the agency demonstrating the most complete performance across all award categories.

As well as recognising top agents, PayProp Connect will have a full timetable of knowledge-sharing events.

Keynote speakers at the event will include Paul Shamplina, founder of Landlord Action, who will give agents a crash course in how they can prepare for eviction changes coming to the sector.

Sally Lawson, founder of lettings industry coaches Agent Rainmaker, will share some expert advice on how letting agents can grow their businesses. Both previously joined PayProp’s Trust through transparency roundtable in 2021, and will be joined by other notable figures in the sector.

Agents can also take part in organised breakout sessions to discuss issues in the industry and swap best practices.

“This event isn’t just about giving out awards,” said Cobbold. “It’s about contributing to the continued progress of our industry. Because PayProp Connect will bring together so many top lettings professionals from large and small agencies across the country, and with top industry experts like Paul and Sally joining us, it’s a great opportunity for us all to learn from one another.”