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I'm Conventioned Out!

By Brian Block

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President

October 21, 2008 10:07 AM

Convention

I AM CONVENTIONED OUT!

Oh yes! Real estate conventions provide great opportunities to learn. You can learn from the sessions. You can learn from the other attendees. You learn from the speakers. If you pay attention, you will most likely have at least one "Ah Hah!" moment at every real estate convention that you attend.

One year ago, I wrote the featured post: Network, Learn, and See the Stars: Real Estate Conventions detailing my experience with real estate conventions and touting their effectiveness for helping REALTORS better their businesses.

Since that time, I've attended the following real estate conventions:

Inman Connect NYC in January 2008
Virginia Association of REALTORS BloggerCon on April 4th
Inman Connect San Francisco -- July 2008
Virginia Association of REALTORS Convention in Baltimore - September 2008
RE/MAX Allegiance Convention -- last Thursday
Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS -- today

I'M CONVENTIONED OUT!

I've learned a lot. I've networked with tons of people. I've had lots of Ah Hah moments... I've attended lots of cocktail parties.

The excitement is building for the big National Association of REALTORS Convention next month in Orlando.

I'm going to sit this one out. While going to conventions is great and I truly believe that I always learn something or meet someone who will help me make more money and succeed in this business and in my life, sometimes you just need to stay home, regroup and take all that learning and IMPLEMENT IT!

I'M CONVENTIONED OUT!

I need a rest from dropping my business card in every vendor's bowl in the hopes of winning the next door prize.
I need to spend some time reviewing all the cool new URLs.
I need to work on all these things that I've learned.
I need to review my notes from all the great sessions.

And finally, I need to decide which conventions to attend next year.

Re-Blog

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Cindy Jones

Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA

Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Brian-I'll share my notes from the upcoming Bloodhound Unchained meeting in Orlando with you! Meanwhile enjoy share a nice dinner with your wife and relax.

Oct 21, 2008 10:17 AM

Stephen Kappre

KW Hometown - Mantua, NJ

Helping You Home

Funny title. I find that just taking one, maybe two ideas and implimenting them (only) works. Otherwise its like going to have a good time - and more frustration can ensue then before you went to learn.

Oct 21, 2008 10:30 AM

Ginger Wilcox

Sindeo - San Francisco, CA

That is a lot of conventions! Sorry to miss you in Orlando.

Oct 21, 2008 10:35 AM

Linda Davis

RE/MAX Home Team - Gales Ferry, CT

I hear ya Brian. Every year I regroup and decide which are the most worthwhile to attend. I've changed my opinion over the years. At one time, I didn't attend the NAR convention but I've shifted my opinion on it. I stopped going to Howard Brinton Conferences because it seemed to be the same topics every year with very little technology offered. Then there is REBAR Camp and Blogger's Connect and Inman. I heard Bloggers World was awesome! I enjoy the RE/MAX Convention because of the networking. And then their are the local conventions...I've heard Triple Play in New Jersey is quite good. What to do? What to do?

Oct 21, 2008 10:45 AM

Bryant Tutas

Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL

Selling Florida one home at a time

Brian, I have to say you are a convention machine!!! OK...I have to admit that I have NEVER been to a convention!!! That's right 14 years and ZERO conventions. I truly am a hermit REALTOR(R).

I am planning on at least stopping by NAR but that will just be to meet some rainers.

Oct 21, 2008 10:56 AM

Norma J. Elkins

Elite Realty Group - Morristown, TN

Realtor - Elkins Home Selling Team

I love conventions but I always seem to talk myself out of going to them - Oh well!!!

Oct 21, 2008 12:35 PM

Lizette Fitzpatrick

Lizette Realty - Richmond KY - Lexington, KY

Lizette Realty, Lexington KY MLS - Kentucky Homes

Amen to this idea! I feel I learn more here on AR than any convention or class I ever attended. Good for you!

Oct 21, 2008 12:50 PM

Pat Tasker

Shorewest Realtors - Germantown, WI

Your Milwaukee Metro Area Agent (WI)

Nows the time to put all those ideas to work....don't get overwhelmed with your long list...try to tackle one or two items a month for the next 6-12 months!

Oct 21, 2008 02:30 PM

Kristal Kraft

Novella Real Estate - Denver, CO

Selling Metro Denver Real Estate - 303-589-2022

LOL I so agree! I'm cleaning my desk out today and found goodies from this time last year at NAR! I still can't get rid of them...

Sorry to miss you in Orlando. It will be my 6th biggie for the year too.

Oct 21, 2008 02:53 PM

Jennifer Fivelsdal

JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY

Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Brian I could see you how would be conventioned out. Yes these events are great but the question we need to ask ourselves is how much gets implemented?

Oct 21, 2008 04:10 PM

Sarah Nopp

South Sound, WA

I completely feel your pain. I am constantly overextending myself, even with conventions once. This coming year I am on Exec Committee for my local Association- that means even MORE meetings LOL.

Oct 21, 2008 04:54 PM

Bill Gassett

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA

Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Brian it is about time! It seems you have been on the Real Estate circuit. I don't think there is a blogger on this network that knows as many members as you do:)

Oct 22, 2008 12:58 AM

Anonymous

jf.sellsius

I can understand that sentiment. I offer the suggestion to step out of the realtor convention box and attend marketing or advertising conventions, where you can learn and network with a group of professionals in a related industry. I attend ad:tech in NY and find it to be extremely valuable in learning how to better market your brand via new media and technology.

Oct 22, 2008 01:46 AM

#13

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman

Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI

(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Brian: I attended....hmmm.... 1 this year. Hard to attend when one has to get on an airplane..lol.

Did you get my email? Thanks so much for thinking of me and sending me the .... package :)

Oct 23, 2008 05:02 AM

Joseph D. Federico

MVP Realty - Naples, FL

Southwest Florida Homes with Joe Federico

Brian- There is the RE/MAX convention in Vegas, March '09. Plenty of time to gear up for it.

Oct 23, 2008 05:57 AM

Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI

Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Brian, ditto. Next year I will choose more carefully. I wish I had gone to the one in Vegas as I have heard so many good things about it. I'm going to NAR in November and that's it for the year.

Oct 24, 2008 12:17 AM

Sharon Simms

Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL

St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

Brian - an educated bookshelf or file cabinet doesn't do us much good. Yes, we need time to read, digest, check out, and make an implementation plan.

I also find that no matter how good any particular niche or convention is, that after a while it gets less exciting - so my recommendation for your planning for next year - mix it up, go to some different conventions and conferences from your usual group.

Oct 24, 2008 10:42 AM

Jeff Belonger

Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ

The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Brian.... and you missed a rally that Jeff Belonger was at.... but no, you had to see Sarah Palin. lol

jeff belonger

Oct 28, 2008 04:25 PM

Vickie McCartney

Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY

Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Brian~ How in the world do you have the time for all of these conventions, especially in the same year? I find that I have learned more here in ActiveRain than I could ever learn at a convention. The best thing is, the Rain is FREE!

Nov 01, 2008 04:24 AM

Jim Crawford

Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA

Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

I normally speak at a lot of conventions, but this year sales are way off and I am conserving cash. I'm just not going. When sales pick up I will return.

Nov 07, 2008 12:33 AM