Home : Blogs : Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate : Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate Blog

Network, Learn, and See the Stars: Real Estate Conventions

Gathering together with hundreds or thousands of other real estate professionals, donning a name badge, gulping down some morning coffee, and carrying around stacks of business cards becomes a way of life when you start attending real estate conventions.

Conventions can be company-wide, local, regional, or national. Real estate conventions are sponsored by local associations, large franchises, designation organizations, the National Association of Realtors, and other real estate related organizations.

Attending and actively participating in a convention can be an excellent way for you to meet and learn from top Realtors around the country, increase your knowledge and real estate tool arsenal, have some fun, travel, and see some top-notch (even famous) speakers.

Here are some of the conventions that I have attended:

RE/MAX Allegiance Convention -- for the past 3 years, my mega-brokerage (we have 1500 agents in 40 offices and comprise the largest RE/MAX franchise) has hosted its own convention locally. This has provided a great opportunity to get to know our own company's agents and brokers and see some excellent speakers. This year David Knox gave the keynote address.
Northern Virginia Association of Realtors Convention -- I go to this one every year (just went yesterday). Our local board convention offers the chance to meet and mingle with local vendors and attend some interesting classes. Yesterday we also had a keynote address by the Governor of Virginia. I also met an excellent new loan officer yesterday.
National Association of Realtors Convention -- the biggie. 30,000 Realtors all in one place. Oh my! I attended 2 years ago in San Francisco and was just overwhelmed with the amount of information and the opportunity to meet Realtors from all over the nation (and the world). So many power-packed sessions, that I even decided to buy the audio recordings of some of the overlapping sessions that I missed.
CRS Sell-a-Bration -- CRS brings out the cream of the crop. These are the stellar top-producing people. And this conference is pure education and fun. You'll learn from Realtors who would never think to put top 1% on their business cards, because that would be an understatement! And Howard Brinton is always good for a great laugh.
NAR Mid-Year Convention -- this one is held every year in D.C., so it's an easy commute. The sessions here are mostly on policy, politics and industry news rather than real estate training. However, the networking opportunities still abound, and the trade show of real estate vendors is amazing.

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING CONVENTIONS:

Network:

Especially at the National real estate conventions, you have the opportunity to meet with and get to know Realtors from other markets and learn about their areas. People do different things in different parts of the country and you can take that knowledge home with you and apply it to your local market. Conventions are an excellent place to meet potential referral sources and to spread the word about the benefits of relocation to your community.

In addition to the breakout sessions, every convention offers social opportunities, meals and extra time for attendees to meet and mingle with the other people in a fun and productive way.

Learn:

My philosophy has always been that if I learn one thing that I am able to bring back with me to help me in my business and earn me more money, than the class or convention was well worth the time and effort. I have never been disappointed in a convention. The abundance of learning is phenomenal. No matter how good you are, there is someone out there who is better and you can learn from them and apply their "secrets of success" to your own business.

The real struggle is trying to implement all the ideas you've learned once you get home.

Get Motivated:

In addition to hardcore real estate information, conventions will have motivational speakers who inspire you to be your best in business and in life. Conventions pump me up and recharge me for the road ahead and they'll do the same for you.

See the Stars:

This is one of the real fun things about conventions -- meeting and hearing talks by some famous people (both inside and outside of the real estate world). Here are some of the people that I have heard at real estate conventions:

President George W. Bush
Dr. Phil
Malcolm Gladwell (author of The Tipping Point and Blink)
Ken Blanchard (prolific self-help author)
Guy Kawasaki
David Knox (a sharp dressed man)
Howard Brinton
Virginia Governor Tim Kaine

I always look forward to conventions and schedule and factor them in as a part of my business planning. I'm looking forward to attending the Inman Connect Convention in NYC in January (SEE Top 10 Reasons You Should Attend Inman Connect NYC in January 2008 ) and I may attend the RE/MAX International Convention next year in Las Vegas.

Now, there is one more benefit to attending conventions -- the opportunity to meet in person some of my great Active Rain friends.

Consider Conventions as an important filing station on your way to success -- Conventions are a great way to "Connect, Relate and Be Great!" (that was the motto for yesterday's convention).

Thank you for reading my blog post. If you like what you’ve read, then please:

Follow, Connect, Watch, Subscribe

If you plan to purchase or sell a home in the Northern Virginia or D.C. area,
you can visit my main Northern Virginia & D.C. real estate website at www.brianblock.com.

Posted by Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate on 10/23/2007 10:59 PM

Comments (68)

real estate conventions, remax, brian block, inman connect, activerain, success

Post is included in group: RE/MAX Active Rain Bloggers

68 Comments on Network, Learn, and See the Stars: Real Estate Conventions

OCT

2007

Great blog and very important points. Although how a man(Pres.) has the nerve to attend a realtor convention when his admin has done more to try to leyt banks into real estate is beyond me

Tax deductible vacations with a chance to learn and meet other people! They even might have a Harrah's near by to play poker at. How can you not win?

BRIAN: Inman will provide a real estate industry experience similary to what I used to experience in the music industry. I had met people all over the country on the phone, but only got to meet some of them when we atteded conferences. Most of my real estate conferences have been local, and while this one is in Manhattan, my friends from around the country will be coming to visit. I think that attending these events is always positive too.

Brian-There are so many great opportunities to take it a notch higher and continue the learning process at conventions. I wish I could say I'd be joining so many of you at the Inman convention. That looks like a huge opportunity. I see it's a few months away, but when you get back, we'll be waiting for an update.

I always get motivated at these events. It's just juggling the time and cost in a tough market..-

Brian - I can get claustorphobic is a room of 20 real estate agents the thought of going to conventions have never interested me before. I did not know about the Inman Connect this seems up my ally, or even the NAR mid year.

Thanks for the post.

I think it's an awesome way to network and get motivated. We need that going into the fourth quarter, now more than ever.

According to LVCVA this year almost 50000 people are expected to attend NAR. Not to split hairs or anything!

When is the mid-year NAR thing anyway? We could have a Rain party!

Brian, Your post could not be more timely for me. Yesterday and today I am in Colorado Springs at the Colorado Association of Realtors convention. Great education, motivation, networking, and YES, I did meet some AR members.

The last two KW Family Reunions have been in Las Vegas, so it was only a 20-minute drive for me. Next month is NAR, and I'm looking forward to meeting many of my online contacts from other companies. Sometimes I pick up new ideas, other times it reinforces things I already know, and I completely agree that the challenge is in implementation.

Brian - This is a great post on the value of conventions. I have yet to attend a convention where I wasn't able to take something to apply to my everyday business. Nicely done, amigo!

CHARLIE: Thanks for your comments and compliments on the post. I am sure the President addressed the Midyear Convention because he is well aware of the size of the Realtor constituency and the fact that we are opinion leaders within our communities.

JESSICA: Yes, the tax deductible vacation is another great benefit. You ever notice that conventions are generally held in fun cities? Las Vegas of course being a favorite. Thanks for your comment.

ADAM: Thanks for your comments. Attending these events is always a positive experience in all ways. You always come home with more knowledge, more friends, and more motivation. Inman should be excellent and I'm really looking forward to it. Talk to you soon.

JULIE: Thanks for your comments. I've always enjoyed conventions as is clear in my post. Too bad you won't be joining us at Inman. I doubt you have to wait until we get back -- with us active Active Rainers, you can be sure that there will be some live blogging going on while we're there.

AL: Thanks for your comments. Yes, the conventions do take time and some cost money (our company convention and local association ones are free), but I* believe that the benefits way outweigh the costs.

REBECCA: That's quite funny! Take a look at the Inman Connect conference which should be quite interesting. NAR mid-year in D.C. is on a smaller scale than their November convention, but does draw a good crowd and is more geared towards changes in the industry and lobbying. Plus, D.C. in May is great! I'm sure I'll be helping to arrange an Active Rain get-together then.

LARRY: Thanks for your comments. I agree.

RENEE: Thanks for updating me on the numbers. I attended NAR 2 years ago and I think it was about 30K then, but I guess interest is growing or just more Realtors want to try their hand at the gaming tables than battle the hills of San Francisco. Thanks for your comments.

PATRICIA: The mid-year convention in D.C. is May 12th through May 17th, 2008. I nominate you for Active Rain Party chairperson. We can have quite a bash, I'm sure. The convention is usually held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

ROLANDO: Thanks for your comments. I hope that the Colorado convention went well. It sounds like it did.

JOHN: You are lucky to live near Vegas where there is always some kind of a convention happening. You should really enjoy NAR -- unfortunately I can't attend this year. I'm still trying to implement some of the things I've learned in the past -- though there are others that I have implemented. Active Rain is like a daily online real estate convention for me.

CROUCHIE: Thanks for your compliment and comment. I look forward to the day that we have an official Active Rain convention. With the growing size of the network, I'm sure this is a possibility. I've seen it bantered about somewhere here about having an Active Rain cruise -- now that would be cool!!! Excuse me, but the official language of my blog is English, amigo (are you just pretending to be a Texan? How do we know you didn't just recently cross the border?)

Brian - We won't be going to the Las Vegas Convention this year. We are not ready to do the Vegas thing for many more years, if ever. I have been there for many conventions these past 3 years and we are just burned out on Vegas. When they come back to Orlando, we will be there! We used to go to all of them until our 5 year old was born. He is getting old enough to start going again soon. I look forward to the day when I am a speaker at one! Katerina

KATERINA: They'll be in Orlando in 2009. I won't be in Vegas this year either. Too much Vegas can certainly burn you out especially spending time on the Strip and inside the casinos. I may go the RE/MAX convention there in March and was just there end of January. There is a Vegas beyond the casinos, and I've been hiking in Red Rocks and joined a friend who lives in Vegas for dinner off the Strip at a local sushi restaurant. I'm sure you can be a speaker one day soon.

I love conventions. I enjoy the networking, hearing different speakers and just all around getting motivated. AR is like a daily convention. As for live ones, I don't have any scheduled but I would love to attend the CRS Sell-a-bration one sometime in the future.

I'm sorry I didn't make it to the N Va convention, but I did go to the Virginia Assoc Realtors Convention earlier this month and I'm so happy you brought up the points you did. I made new friends, learned a lot and came back totally dedicated and pumped! I haven't come off my high yet.

Brian: It is probably because we house 18000 Realtors in this city alone ;)

Anaheim convention in Los Angeles was a success last October 9-10, it was fun to network and learn.

Since I am a member of the PA Association of REALTORS I attend the tri-state "Triple Play" convention in Atlantic City, NJ. It has been held at the Atlantic City convention center for several years, and because there are three states included (PA, NJ, and NY) there are many national real estate speakers and educators. The education and exciting ideas you go away with are awesome...not to mention taking a chance on the slots in the evening. Two years ago I left with some wonderful information and my $1086.65 in winnings from the .05 slots. Priceless!

Brian, great to see you at the NVAR convention. What did you think of it?

And hey NVAR members!!! PLEASE VOTE for the Board of Directors! I'm running for the board; you vote REALLY counts; only 1 in 11 members vote. www.VoteDROdio.com And when you're done voting, please get 5 others to vote too! :) - DROdio

OCT

2007

Hey Brian,

Sorry we could only chat for 5 seconds at the convention. I wanted to pick your brain.

Here is a link to the NVAR election that Daniel refers to www.NVAR.com/vote (I suggest myself and Daniel of course)

I have never missed a NAR convention...visit every trade booth for ideas for today and the future. The Entrepreneurial Excellence Series is the best education out there, bar none!

I like conventions. The best conventions are the grocery conventions though. I went with my grandparents to one. It was awesome. Free samples of food! Yummy!

Brian - I plan to go to the "Triple Play" in Atlantic City. I was there last year -great value for around $70. How many AR people do you know are going to NY. I am not sure about the conference, but would love to meet up with everyone.

Brian, I attend the Remax Michigan Convention every February in Travers City. I love to network with other Michigan Realtors. I went to NAR when it was in Chicago, a few years ago. WOW. But, my favorite is the RE/MAX International Convention, I love meeting all the agents from other countries and attending classes by national speakers. Of course the parties are great too.

Hi Brian,
I so wanted to attend the NC Convention this year but a family wedding made it impossible. I've never attended a national convention but have hopes of doing so in the near future.

Brian...once again you are doing a great job of motivating the troops! I used to be very involved in the CA. Assoc. of Realtors and NAR but haven't attended any state meeting since moving to NC. I hear the RE/MAX event is going to be awesome but if I attend anything it will be Inman in NY. I want to meet all of our fellow AR members!

Nice blogs. Conventions really are a great time to get out of the box and learn some new things and meet some new people.

I wanted to let you know that Zillow (my company) sponsored Beer For Bloggers at the last Inman convention in San Francisco and it was a huge success! So we are always going to be planning something for the upcoming convention in NYC. Details to come. But you are sure to meet many Active Rainers there!!

I'm hoping that I am able to hit a convention or two in 2008. I've been wanting to, but it's always been a cashflow issue... it flows out too much.

Brian - I love attending these and have been to last year's NAR convention in New Orleans where former presidents Bush & Clinton spoke. I also go to the California Association conventions and to Inman. I always gain something from going.

I am going to the NAR convention in LV next month. Alredy have my flight and hotel booked and made up a schedule of classes I am going to go to. NO HUSBAND, NO SON. PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So far I have not found anyone else from my town (Waco, Texas)or area who is going.

Brian - so right! We need to get new ideas, new perspectives. Besides, I always enjoy getting together "outside" the convention with friends I've met.

GINGER: I expect that you too will be speaking at a convention someday down the road (maybe sooner than your think). AR is a daily convention, in my opinion. A trip to Hawaii for Sell-a-Bration would be much easier for you than for me in January. It was one of the best conventions I've ever attended when I went to it in Vegas this year.

NATALIE: Thanks for your comments. The highlight of the NVAR convention was hearing Governor Kaine talk about his optimism about the state and some of the great statistics about Virginia. Some of the classes are good, others are take it or leave it. I met a new loan officer, which is a good thing. I strengthened my ties with some vendors and colleagues, and learned a bit. I'm glad to hear that VAR Convention was worth it. Maybe I'll attend that one next year.

RENEE: 18000 in Vegas! Wow! How many homes are selling per month right now? A friend of mine who lives in Vegas and teaches at UNLV told me that he purchased his home last year and then his Realtor gave him front row tickets to one of the Vegas shows b/c the Realtor is also an acrobat in the show!

LUPE: I'm glad to hear that you have had convention success as well.

DOROTHY: Thanks for sharing your story about attending the convention in AC. $1086 from a nickel slot machine -- that's fantastic. I usually play blackjack, poker, and/or craps. My success at casinos has been pretty good ever since my first visit fourteen years ago to AC when I went to college in Philadelphia and during numerous jaunts to Vegas.

DANIEL: Good to meet you and to talk last week. I'll get you the forms in a few days. This week I've just been swamped. NVAR's Convention was okay. I really enjoyed hearing the Governor. A class on working with buyers in the current market was really good. Otherwise I can do without most of the vendors, but I did get to catch up with some friends.

FRANK: No problem. I hope you had a good time and that the votes are going your way. I got your e-mail "picking" my brain, but I've been swamped this week, to be honest. You and Daniel have already received my vote.

Excellent blog! See you at the big one in March - VEGAS!

OCT

2007

GAIL: I'm not able to make it every year, but that's fantastic that you always attend the NAR conventions. I agree -- the Entrepreneurial Excellence Series is amazing.

CHRISTY: Never been to a grocery convention. I have been to a natural products convention because that is my sister's field of business -- everything from natural soaps and candles, to organic foods, vitamins, etc. The food section was lots of fun and delicious!

FAINA: I'm not sure about the exact numbers for Inman yet. At least 5-7 people that I know on AR have said that they are going, but I'm sure there will be many more there.

MISSY: I don't know that we have a RE/MAX convention for Virginia. I haven't been to the RE/MAX International yet but may go this coming March (35th Anniversary and in Vegas). You are right about the parties!

CYNTHIA: The national conventions really are something else and a big eye-opener.

DIANE: Thanks for your comments. We'd love to see you in NY!

SARA: Thanks for your comments. I'll be on the lookout for details about your event at Inman Connect.

LANE: Thanks for your comments. Negative cashflow is not a great thing and one that I am all too familiar with... Maybe the conventions can help turn things around.

TOM: I know that you are a convention junkie! Thanks for your comments. Look forward to meeting you in person soon -- keeps getting closer.

ANN: Have fun at the NAR Convention -- doesn't sound like you need my permission!

SHARON: Thanks for your comments. Some of the best tips and advice and networking happen outise the official convention sessions.

MARK: Thanks for your comments. Hope to see you there.

i love conventions too, I always walk away energized and with a fresh perspective.

I love the RE/MAX International Convention and try to go. And I usually try to go to at least the trade show of the annual NAR Mid-Year Meetings here in D.C. Both are great learning and networking opportunities, and I always come away smarter than before. Great post, Brian - as always!

CHRISTINA: Thanks for your comments. Conventions keep us energizer bunnies going and going and going...

MARGARET: Thanks for your comments. I want to try to make it to the RE/MAX International Convention in March. I had thought about going to Atlanta earlier this year, but it was right on the heels of the CRS Sell-a-Bration which I attended and not good timing for me. I'll definitely be going to the Mid-Year trade show, and have assigned the task of an AR get-together to Patricia.

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?