If you aren't attending this year's 2008 NAR Convention here in Orlando, you're missing a terrific opportunity to meet some really fabulous people. Great networking going on, lots of learning from all kinds of sessions, and of course, night-time fun galore!!
Yesterday was just jam-packed with meet-ups and more. The guys from Bloodhound Blog spoke to us in the morning at the wrap-up of the Cyber Professionals' meeting, then came meet-ups at the Web 2.0 panel where we got to hear 4 terrific folks tell us about their internet and social media strategies, and the day ended with the Active Rain party at Hard Rock Live on City Walk at Universal Studios. What fun that was!!
Some of the people I met up with yesterday were Midori Miller, Neal Bloom, Rudy @Trulia, Lane Bailey, Kristal Kraft and KK's hubby Larry, Cyndee Haydon, Missy Caulk, Katerina and Nestor, Bob Stewart, Jon Washburn, Susie Blackmon, Ginger Wilcox, Joel McDonald (@joelrunner), Randy Prothero, Marc Grossman, Russ Prothero, Matt Ruthburn, Broker Bryant and the lovely TLW, and so many others. Some of these great people I'd already met so it was seeing old friends again, and others I was just meeting for the first time, and that also was like meeting an old friend. Most were from Twitter and/or Active Rain. It is so great to be able to meet in person those whose posts you comment on, who comment on yours, and those you share twits with.
I wish everyone had been able to be here - I am SO glad I came to NAR this year!!!
And one other thing - the hugs you get at one of these meet-ups are just awesome! I've met some great huggers - you know who you are.... Thanks for all the awesome hugs!!
I'm so jealous of everyone that went. There are so many people that I have met online that I am dying to meet in real life and have a chat with. As for the comments about the party - it reminded me of a post by Theresa Boardman I recently read on AgentGenius called "Drinking On The Internet." Hopefully I'll make it next time! Looking forward to everyone's posts about what they learned.
After missing this great event last night and hearing all the wonderful stories I think it has inspired me to at the very least host a monthly or quartlerly get together locally.
Matt Stigliano made reference to a blog from Theresa Boardman about Drinking on the Internet. So I went and read that post. (Anyone reading MY comment should do the same.) I agree with Theresa, and I agree to disagree.
Many people in all different types of professions attend professional seminars, conventions, team building, what ever you want to call it. There's nothing wrong with "letting your hair down" and enjoying the evening with your co-workers. Just don't let it down to far! Everything needs to be done in moderation (I'm starting to feel that way with AR!)
That said, one protocol I personally practice, is to put my cocktail behind my back so as not to have one in my hand when the photo is taken. Works pretty well, and helps me still have fun, but maintain the professional image that Theresa talks about, and I agree is important.
Thom and Ray - I've used a similar method in my years in a band. I was constantly taking photos with young kids at shows, so when I had a beer in hand, it went behind my back. Of course, it didn't always work, so there's plenty of photos of me with beer in hand, but I tried to do my best...especially with the really young ones.
Ann, I'm not sure how you had the time to get this together, man I can barely get my eyes open and my feet are killing me. Heading over to get another massage in that chair. See ya later, ((mwa))
Ann, I looked through Monika's photos before opening your post.. she has a lot more pix of you. I wish I had come to Florida maybe next year, it sure looks like fun.
Ann.... glad you put this up and actually wrote something... lol Just saw a few featured with just pics and really nothing written. I wish I could get a feature that easily.. lol Seriously, I enjoyed the pics on this one. I wish I could have been there. I am sure we'll meet some day. You should look into the NYC bloggers connect that will be there in January...
Ann you have some new names and pictures of ActiveRain members that others had not posted yet. Looks like from everything that I have read that everyone had a great time.
I'm home so I'll be posting soon...it was awesome and I had a blast...great seeing you once again my friend. This one really was a big gathering so I had so much fun...but not much sleep but I'm ok now.
You all look like you're having a really nice time meeting with each other. It must be great to meet people you feel like you know already. Thanks for sharing the pics with the rest of us!
Ann- First thanks for all the updates on Twitter.....there were times I felt like I was there. Your pictures are great....I absolutely love that one of Monika and BB. Now hopefully those memories will carry you through the winter....and it's so nice that you actually got to meet so many of your friends in the computer :)
Ann - didn't get to meet you but I also met many of the folks you mentioned and wasn't it great? Thanks for posting this and the pix :) Hope to meet you next year.
Aloha Randy - it was very nice to finally get to meet you, and your brother Russ!
Matt - having the opportunity to meet all these wonderful people has been great. I had met a number of them at other gatherings, and it was great to be able to see them again, too.
Hey Monika - didn't you know, all at that party were 'major celebrities', of so I was told! That's what Midori said we were! ;-)
Hi Heather - if you do hold a gathering like you mentioned, you'll get so much from it - warm and wonderful friendships and strong bonds. Social networking is amazing if you really take part in it and make it into what you want it to be for you.
It's funny, but after over a year in the Rain, I feel like I'm flipping through a family photo album instead of pictures of people I've never met who are all together in a place far away!
Hi Lisa - it does seem like family pics, doesn't it? And it feels just like family when you meet up with other AR members like this party. Most are just as you'd expect them to be from their writing.
Hi Allison - the flu?? Ugh.... Hope you're feeling much better, and I'm sorry you couldn't make it this time!
Thom and Ray - you're welcome and I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures! Everyone had a great time meeting each other and we all have enjoyed each other's pictures, whether they were in business meetings or party pictures.
Matt - thanks for stopping by. We were all aware of the hundreds of pictures being taken, and we were all taking them of each other as well.
Hi Missy - my eyes were propped open and I was tired as well, but being a real morning person, I was wide awake and ready to go! MWA to you!!
Hi Steve - next year will be in San Diego, maybe you can make it to that one! This was fun!
Hey Jason - ;-) MWA to you!! Wish you had been able to be here so we could have finally met.
Ann-it was wonderful to see you and how beautiful you looked..and if I can get my hair to grow out..I might just have to copy that style...you are Hot...Hot...Hot! :)
What happened ?...no photo of us? Same thing happen on mine...I know we took photos together...my camera lost some of you and Jeff Turner...I'm not sure if the person who took the shots didn't actually get the photos in...I know my camera was having issues.
So sorry I missed this! I had looked forward to it, and just couldn't get away. Thanks for letting us get a glimpse of the happenings...much appreciated!
Ann- It is so good to see you and everyone have such a blast!! I'm sorry I wasn't able to make it this year but hope to next year. I love all you guys!
Ann, What a great turnout from the Ar crowd~ looks like there was a whole lot of lovin' going around. You did a terrific job with the photos. Hope to me e you at one of these one day!
Ann, This is so great that we got to hear about it on Twitter and trying to plan for next year to not miss the event and now the great photos and stories. I'm glad you had such a wonderful time.
What a distinct pleasure it was for me to meet you, Ann. Linda Davis' CyberProfessionals group is an extraordinary group. I enjoyed the opportunity to meet Cindy D, Jim Lee, Monika and Jay, Teri Isner, and The Simms (et al). We enjoyed sharing and learning from that group and hope to see you all in Phoenix.
Linda is truly the "den mother" of the Real Estate 2.0 community (I suppose that makes her a "community organizer"). Her leadership inspires and her commitment is inviting.
I am a better man after meeting you and your posse, Ann
OK, I'm new and as of yet have only been 'sprinkled upon'. I recognized some of the party goers, but may I get the last names of the Web 2.0 panel? Cynde, Ines, Jeff & Teresa. Then I can follow their blogs too. Thanks!
Well. It was kinda mellow compared to some of the past Gatherings you and I have attended together. Probably has a lot to do with ME not letting my hair down too far :)
Good seeing you again Sweetie. Stay well and grow :)
Hi Dena - long time no see!! I wish you had been there, too!
Hi Woo-Hoo Sally - we did have a great time at this convention, and meeting so many we interact with online was just super. Thanks for the hugs!! Right back at ya!
Hi Julie - we did enjoy for sure!!
Hi Hal - my dad's name is Harold and he goes by Hal, too. Ah, how about business, since so much of what I did was business and education?!?
Hey Jeff - glad you liked the pictures I put up. It was so enjoyable to actually get the opportunity to meet so many people we have been friendly with online for so long. It was just great, and makes those bonds even stronger for most of us. I wish you could have been there as well, and some day I hope you get that chance.
I'm giving some thought to NYC Inman - a number of people have mentioned that to me. I'll look further into it, and see what I think. I think I remember you went to that one last year, right? Are you going to this next one?
Hi Yvette - I wish everyone had been able to be in Orlando with us. There's so much to do and see, and having the chance to meet so many AR members and people from other online networks was just great! I hope you are able to go next time - we can meet up then!
Hi Christopher and Stephanie - we did have a 'rockin' good time' for sure! What a great online community we belong to!
Hi Thesa - I wish you had been there, too. We had a great time getting to meet everyone who was there.
Hey Marti - you so welcome, and it really is just like a family reunion. That's a great description!
Hi George - a great time was had by all for sure! It really is so nice to be able to meet so many members, and it's awasome of the AR crew to put on a party for us all to get together!
Hey Bill - some day I am going to meet you, and I do hope you can get to the next convention. I think you'd really enjoy it and of course, the AR party!
Hey Neal - I thought I had pictures of the 2 of us, but there weren't any on my camera. There were so many people taking pics, I guess I assumed I had asked someone to take some using my camera. I loved seeing you again, and I'm glad we tracked each other down. Did you get caught up on your sleep yet?
Hi Mana - you're welcome and I glad you enjoyed looking through them.
Hi Lisa - it is so great to meet online friends in person! Most are just as you'd expect them to be, and a few are just so different when you meet them in person. It was great fun - wish you and Bob could have been there with us.
Hi Suzanne - it really was a great time to have so many to be able to meet - great fun!
Hi Kathy - isn't Twitter great? That's how a lot of us kept track of each other while in Orlando. I've looked back over many of the pictures I took, and I have way more than I included in my 2 posts, and I enjoy thinking back on the different times and places and people in them. I hope you can come next year when it's in San Diego - it would be great to be able to meet you in person!
Hi Sharon - I'm sorry we didn't meet! And it was, indeed, wonderful to meet so many people we interact with online. Next year for sure!
Hi Lisa - it does feel like that, doesn't it? I feel like that when I look through others' posts when they talk about their meetups around the country. We do live in a very different age with all this social networking, and how great it is, too!
Hi Allison - what a bummer about the flu, and I sure hope you're feeling much better by now. One of these days we will definitely get to meet face to face.
Hi Midori - you're making me blush with those comments!! I loved seeing you again, just wish we'd had more time to just sit and visit for awhile. I'll be back down here off and on, as you know, and hopefully we can find a time to meet up somewhere again. I'm glad you got to meet so many others, too.
Hey Neal - I know, I have no idea what happened to the pictures of us. I thought I had some in my camera, but it must just have been others taking them. I thought for sure I'd had someone take some with my own camera, but they weren't there when I downloaded all my pics. If you come upon them anywhere, send me the link so I can take a look at them, too. Loved seeing you again!
Hi Diane - I wish everyone could have been there. What a great gathering that would have been!
Hi Katerina - it was really so nice to get to meet you and Nestor! You give so much here in your posts, and it truly was great to see you in person. Thank you for that really nice comment - I am in person who I am online, and I trust that comes across in my posts and in my comments. Thank YOU!
Hi janeAnne - it was great fun, and I wish you had been able to make it. We could have had yet another in person visit. Next time, and again in Asheville - don't know when just yet, but spring or summer next year for sure.
Hi Laura - I wish there was a way that all of us could make it to one of the gatherings. What a blast that would be, huh? One great big gigantic family reunion!
Hi Virginia - glad you enjoyed the pictures and show! I like looking back through those pictures, too.
Hi Katrina - it was great to meet you as well. I always love putting a face to face meeting with an online friend! Glad we had that opportunity.
Hi Ginger - I really hope we get to meet at one of these as well. It was really nice to be able to meet so many that are part of this community. There certainly was a lot of laughing and having a great time going on!
Hi Karen - all the various forms of social networking really do put the world quickly at our fingertips, doesn't it? Next year is in San Diego, so I hope you can make it to that one.
Hi Marian - that 'sprinkling' is great, and you'll get more and more by being here! I should have used last names in my pics - sorry about that. Cyndee Haydon, Jeff Turner, Teresa Boardman, and Ines Hegedus-Garcia. Others in the pictures include Jay and Monika McGillicuddy, Missy Caulk, Midori Miller, Katrina Madewell, Rich Jacobson, Bob Stewart, Bryant Tutas (Broker Bryant), TWL (Billie Tutas), Neal Bloom, Katerina and Nestor Gassett. I'll see who else I might have missed and add those names here for you. Thanks for asking for their last names!
Hi Brian - Wow, what a great compliment you left me! I really enjoyed meeting you, and that very first greeting you gave me when we walked into Uno's before I even knew it was you was just AWESOME! I loved that hug, and I loved all the really kind things you said to me about losing Bear. I just felt so comfortable sitting there talking to you, just as though we'd been friends for years.
You are such a warm, engaging and friendly person, and I loved meeting you. It was great to see you again at one of the morning Cyber Professionsls breakfasts.
And I just love this picture that was taken of us the night we met in person!
You give GREAT hugs, just so you know....just sayin'!
Hi Jon - I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you, and over time you'll come to know more and more of us. I hope to meet you at the next AR gathering.
Hey Billie (TLW) - I know it was a little more mellow than some of the others, especially the very first orginal gathering that we were part of in Celebration, but this was fun, too. It was great to see you out and about, and to know you're doing better each day. I'm doing better each day, I hope..... Hugs to you and BB!
Hi Spencer - oh I am bummed to not have met you! I heard others talk about meeting you and I was hoping I would run into you at some point. Next time for sure!
Hi Steve - you did miss some great fun, both at the AR party and the convention in general. Nest year will be in San Diego, so start planning now!!
Thanks everyone for the great comments, and hope to see you all at the next convention and AR gathering! Ann
Hi TLW - it was so neat to meet Brian Brady! He is so different in person than I thought he was from his writing and profile pic. What a very nice, fun and personable guy he is. He gave me the biggest hug when I walked into where he was, and I did not know who he was until after the hug. I could have spent hours talking with him, if we'd had the time to do so. I hope you get the chance to met him, you'll love meeting him as I did! He's so easy and down-to-earth to talk with.
Ann-I felt kinda blue...I was thinking that I miss you guys already and how little time we had BUT I really am serious about a trip..I think you look amazing and I am so proud to call you a friend..I get some of my strength from you! You let me know when you are in town and I will come spend some time with you..and hey drive dad's hoopty! :)
Hi Midori - I'll be back down for Christmas, maybe we can squeeze in a little time then. We always have a ton of family stuff going on, but I'd love to see you again then if we can make it work. Maybe Lysa, too?
Hi Gena - this was a good time for sure! Next year, it'll be back in CA - San Diego. Maybe you can make it to that one.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
Posted by 
;)
;)
Ann - Thanks for posting this, I have been waiting all morning for someone to post pictures. Looks like everyone is having a great time.