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I'm Conventioned Out!

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.

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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 10/21/2008 05:07 PM

Comments (22)

Real Estate Conventions in the Networking Channel

real estate conventions, virginia association of realtors, remax allegiance, national association of realtors, bloggercon, inman connect

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22 Comments on I'm Conventioned Out!

OCT

2008

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.

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.

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

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?

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.

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

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

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!

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.

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?

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

2008

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:)

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

2008

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 :)

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

OCT

2008

Brian, you are so correct about the key is implementation.

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.

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

2008

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

jeff belonger

NOV

2008

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

2008

Why didn't you come to my photo class?

Frank

NOV

2008

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.

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