I Drove Over 1000 Miles for 2 Meetups!
There is something very special about a meet-up with ActiveRain friends, whether it’s in your general area, or some place far away.
While AR has not been encouraging formal meetups on a quarterly basis and enticing us with points in the last year or so, having a meet-up offers a wealth of benefits and is something everyone should consider…and then just make it happen.
It enhances the relationship you already have with a fellow Rainer
There is lots of learning – about business, local markets, blogging, etc.
You further grow a relationship with someone you can refer to, or who might refer to you; that person could also be a good connection for other reasons
It’s just fun to meet people in person and spend whatever time you have together
While it’s easy to set something up locally, it’s also well worth your time when traveling for a real estate meeting or conference (a number of us have been gathering at the annual NAR meetings in November in various cities – there have been several so far, in Orlando 2016, Chicago 2017 and Boston 2018 with San Francisco on the list this year, plus a couple of the CRS Meetings, in Orlando 2016 and Dallas 2018), traveling through on business, or landing someplace for a vacation.
Plenty of Rainers have arranged meetups around the country during their travels, and it’s always fun to read about these and see photos. It’s very special to get together with Rainers you know online but have not met in person, as well as to occasionally meet new AR members. I’ve yet to meet someone who didn’t thoroughly enjoy these gatherings, large of small!
I just returned from a 5 day trip to Sedona and the Scottsdale area of AZ and had a wonderful time at 2 different meet-ups – the first in Sedona, and the second in Scottsdale.
We were in Sedona last Tuesday and Wednesday to visit my Aunt, and thankfully Sheri Sperry - MCNE® was free for an hour on Wednesday between appointments, and before I had to leave for Scottsdale.
We had a great time at the Desert Flower Bakery and Bistro (they have wonderful sandwiches and their walnut and cranberry bread is to die for) near where I was staying, and talked about more real estate and personal stuff in 1 hour than I can possible remember. But most importantly it was great fun to meet up with someone I know online and have followed for years. If you have read Sheri's posts you know she KNOWS the Sedona market, and her photos and videos that showcase the beauty of Sedona are the best!!
We had fun visiting friends and family in the greater Scottsdale area and also met up with the son of a recent relocation client of mine who has a new restaurant in Scottsdale.
And I had another meetup with Arizona AR friends on Friday 9/27 over lunch at Mad Greens. Brian England coordinated (we’ve met a couple of times when he visited the Left Coast in the last couple of years) and I got to meet Jan Green and Steffy Hristova in person for the first time (but of course know them well online). Tony Marriott (Suzanne and Tony Marriott) was there – we met in person at AR Raincamp in Los Angeles, one of the early ones, in May 2009 - as was Dave Dion, a founder of Solutions Real Estate, where I am, and now heading up a large team with HomeSmart based in the Mesa area. (sorry we forgot to take a photo of the entire group before Dave and Tony had to leave - PHOTOSHOP ANYONE?)
The conversation was lively, as it always is at meet-ups and we chatted about all sorts of business-related stuff, our different markets, what’s happening with iBuyers, some personal stuff, and on and on. As Steffy said in an email it was like meeting up with an old friend! And the setting was very pleasant with terrific food, and wonderful temperatures in the low 80s!!
So what’s keeping you from attending a meetup, or arranging one…even if it’s just one other person you won’t regret it!
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