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The best prize of my life, I'm coming from London to meet you all!

I have always wanted to go to an Inman Connect conference, but sadly being here in little old England has always meant I've followed the event from my computer screen...desperately waiting for the next tweet or blog post with all the hot RE gossip, tips and tricks.

Through platforms like ActiveRain I've come to know hundreds of US based RE folk over the past year and a half or so, and I was starting to think I'd never actually meet them 'IRL' (in real life).

This weekend, my luck changed dramatically :-D

On Friday night I entered a competition on Jay Thompson's popular real estate blog 'Phoenix Real Estate Guy'. The prize? A conference pass for the entire duration of Inman Real Estate Connect NYC (sponsored by the guys and gals at Inman News) and a whopping $1500 worth of travel expenses (kindly sponsored by the great team at HomeQuest).

When I entered Jay's competition I never thought I'd win, I won't lie and say 'I've never won anything before in my life' but the things I have won have usually been crappy things like pens or book tokens. A trip to New York? Unlikely.

I actually went to Brighton (on the English coast) for the weekend and wasn't even online when the draw for the winner took place, I was probably watching the sunset over the sea when Jay's daughter Lauren picked a name out of the hat for the prize. Just before midnight I checked my emails on my cellphone as I didn't have access to a computer, I was really just checking to see if I had any new Twitter messages or comments on my YouTube videos but there were a couple of direct messages through Twitter saying things like 'Congratulations'. The penny dropped when the next message said 'Can't wait to meet you in NY!'.

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <------my reaction as I realise I must have won the competition.

I managed to find a friend with a dodgy internet connection where we were staying and logged on to Jay's blog to confirm the good news. I can't tell you how happy I am and how grateful I am to Jay, Inman and Homequest for making it possible for this loudmouth girl from London to hop on a plane to New York and attend Connect.

So I guess all that's left to say is that if you're going to Inman Connect...see you there!

If you're lucky, I may even bring British candy ;-)

Posted by Poppy Dinsey ~ London, UK on 12/08/2008 08:14 AM

Comments (36)

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36 Comments on The best prize of my life, I'm coming from London to meet you all!

DEC

2008

Poppy, congratulations on winning a trip to NYC for Inman. I'm hoping to be there as well and would love some British candy... and meeting you of course.

Good for you! Some things in life are meant to happen, so take full advantage of it and enjoy yourself! The conference should be awesome!

Featured @ Club Chaos

AWESOME!!!!!

I am doing the Stephen Happy Dance all over my apartment. Can you say jumping in the bed happy? (LOL)

Poppy-congratulations. I'm sure you will enjoy the conference and getting to meet all of the bloggers from around the world!

Wonderful news, Poppy. I love your excitment. You have to promise to blog everything you learn at Inman and share it here.

Good for you Poppy! I saw the video when he picked you out of the hat! I thought "you've got to be serious. Is Poppy a real person?" But I am genuinely glad for you! My office IT person is attending; he is the handsome tall white haired guy named Sean from NH.

That's a great Holiday Present! I hope you have time to share all of your experiences with the rest of us on AR,

Rob

RobKellyColorado.com

Congratulations... Remember to post your comments for the rest of us less fortunates... Enjoy!

Congrads..... Hope you really enjoy the conference.

Poppy.... that is so cool..... talk about a great Christmas gift... I went last year and also met Brian Block, the first comment, last year. I mainly went for the social aspect, because most of the conference is set up for realtors. And I did get some things out of it, the one day that I did participate when they had sessions about blogging and the internet. And I did get to finally meet Jay Thompson... so you'll enjoy that and hearing him speak in person.

Again, congrats and I look forward to meeting you this year also...

jeff belonger

Poppy - Well congratulations! If you do bring candy for the attendees, I suggest Flake. I don't know why, but I love them so much. I mean, its just chocolate, but the way they make them somehow makes them tastier. And of course, any Cadbury's chocolate will drive them insane, considering our Cadbury's taste much like Hershey's. Blech. Way to go and if I make it there, I'll definitely say hello.

Welcome hope you have a wonderful time. Good to have you attend.

Hi Poppy: That's so freakin' cool. I can imagine how you must have felt reading those Twitters and wondering, what? Could it be? It is??? You'll have a great time, and give Carolyn a hug for me.

Wow what a great prize! Have a great trip.

I saw Jay was holding that contest, how very cool that the winner was someone who would most likely have never considered attending without being selected. Have a great time!

Congrats on the feature and of course the Inman concert...looking forward to hearing how the concert was.

Yay, Poppy wins!! So looking forward to meeting you at Connect Poppy!

Look out New York City....

Congrats on winning the contest Poppy! Looking forward to your videos from NYC and Inman.

Poppy,

I lived in NY for 35 yrs and was just there two months ago to visit...I'm not sure If I'll make it back but if I do you can be sure I'll look you up...if not have a great time but bring your snow shoes and warm coat...its cold now.

Big cool aid grin at Elizabeth. Sending you a hug back, bay-bay. :-)

PoppyD, Mikey was pretty shocked when I told him you were really coming to New york. Haaaa! Too funny! You have soooo got to take pictures with the minions (LOL).

What an awesome story, Poppy! You gotta play to win, right? Glad such an amazing thing happened and you get to realize one of your dreams!

Alright way to go..Watch out NY the Brits are coming. That is real cool to winthe trip.

Congratulations! NYC is such a wonderful place to visit. When is the conference?

marcy Moyer

Keller Williams Realty Palo Alto Ca

Congratulations as well Poppy. Hope evrything in the big city goes well, I don't go that far up the coast.

Awesome, we are going as well ! We should connect via twitter. We are @thesomersteam . Is certainly something to look foward to !

Congrats to you !!! Is great : )

If you come into JFK or LGA let me know and I'll pick you up and drive you to your hotel. :-)

Ahh....to be in London again. Have not been there for 7 years. Love to sell flats there....or even better, Bath. Our mother country.

Cheers...

DEC

2008

Looking forward to it. Dinner and dinner with your 4 minions? Yes? :-)

DEC

2008

Dear Poppy,

Congrats on the win. What a great surprise. NYC is as much fun as London and just as expensive.... THe good news, the pound is still 2 to 1 for the dollar. So bring an extra bag to go shopping!! Have fun and travel safe.

Betina

Thanks EVERYONE for all your kind words, I'm very excited :-D

You go girl! We have big, stupid cool aid grins over here. Mike is still stunned that you are coming (LOL). I love this!

DEC

2008

That is awesome. I wish I could say see you there but I can't justify, or afford, the expense right now. Maybe in the future we'll have the opportunity to meet.