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Real Estate Conferences in 2009

It's the day after Christmas and I'm trying to finish up my business plan for 2009. In fact, I bet a lot of other real estate folks are doing something similar. Some of us have very detailed plans. Others, no so much! But, that 's another post all-together.

One of the "big rocks" in my business plan is to decide which industry events to attend. I go to a lot of events because I want to stay ahead of the information curve AND I want to get connected to lots of other real estate peeps from all around the US and beyond. I think Diamond Dwellings is doing a lot of things right, but oh man do we still have a lot to learn/implement/improve! I may not attend quite so many in 2009, but not to save money or anything like that (although that's a nice bonus). I'd go to everything I could possibly attend in 2009 BUT for the fact that I attended everything I could possibly go to in 2008. If you didn't make it to at least a couple events last year, you owe it to yourself and your business to show up in 2009 and find out a bit more about what's new.

Today, I ended up posting several comments on Bloodhoundblog behind a post that Brian Brady wrote. He was talking about their upcoming Unchained event set for April '09. He also commented about an event that I host in Atlanta (along with Brad Nix) called REtechSouth. Brad Coy and others were also involved talking about REbarCamp, which is a series of really cool events around the country. The next REbarCamp is happening in NYC the day before Inman Connect.

All that dialog over there made me think even more about the subject of industry training & conferences. So, I thought I'd write some more about it here. Then, I discovered that AR now has a channel specifically about conferences - but very little has been posted there so far. (now that I'm trying to actually post I don't see that catagory?)

Well, anyway, here you go...

This is a brief list of upcoming events that might be of interest. Not the whole year - and NOT a complete list either...

REbarCamp NYC | Jan 6th | New York

My 2 cents: Very casual format | fun & relaxed | FREE

NOTE: They do want you to RSVP if possible. So, here's that link.

Inman NYC | Jan 7,8,9 | New York

REtechSouth

My 2 cents: Really great way to kick off your year | Global dialog | not cheap to attend at all.

NOTE: If you don't go to NYC then you HAVE to go to Inman Connect SF.

REtechSouth | March 20 | Atlanta

My 2 cents: Really great networking | Very low cost | Tons of information

NOTE: OK, i'm very biased about this one. I'm one of the organizers of this event

(hummm, where did that arrow come from?)

Bloodhound Unchained | April 28 - May 1 | Phoenix

My 2 cents: Intense, structured format | "Get it done" style | Quite Expensive

NOTE: I was at the Orlando event in Nov 2008 which was a totally different format.

Inman SF | July '09 | San Francisco

My 2 cents: I think this is the #1 event of the year | "everyone's there" | Cost is OK if you buy early

NOTE (same as NY): If you don't go to NYC then you HAVE to go to Inman Connect SF. Don't miss both.

REblogWorld | October 15 | Las Vegas

My 2 cents: Very different from all the other events | Totally different perspective | Cost is higher but includes BlogWorld

NOTE: This is the broad view of the entire online / social media marketing world - not just RE

NAR convention & Expo | Nov 2009 | San Diego

My 2 cents: Lots of stuff for sale | Many classes are "so 1995" | Good networking - huge crowd

NOTE: CRT and other factors are making this conference better & better for technology.

There's another REbarCamp coming up in Los Angeles. I think the date is in February? and, I imagine there will be several more barcamp locations throughout 2009. If you know any details about that, please post in the comments here.

In fact, if you know about any other conferences of interest, please post a link in the comments here.

Thank,

Matt

fyi, here's my comments from BHB today...

[This is what I liked about] Unchained/Orlando:

#1. The environment/format felt casual &; conversational
#2. Broad spectrum of quality subjects
#3. Low cost - apparently not the case for Phoenix
#4. 95% of the content seemed useful - I learned
#5. No one was selling me anything (directly)

Here’s some comments about Inman:

There is no better place to network within the business. No other event draws such a large set of bloggers, sharp marketers, thought leaders than Inman. NYC will be 800 people or more & SF is the bigger draw.

Even if you never attended the sessions, you’d meet a ton of people &; develop lots of new contacts. AND, many of the sessions are excellent.

To be fair, there seems to be a bit more obvious “selling from the stage” at Inman lately. But even so, I think it has very high value &; I’ll be there.

What about REtechSouth?

Our goal again this year is to blend all the best of Inman together with a bit more of the bar camp style (casual but with deep content).

We want: Big crowd (500). Low cost($125). Many Voices.

Like you, we’re all for “swipe-and-distribute”, so we’ve invited a few speakers from Orlando to show their stuff in Atlanta as well. You could file this under the its-a-small-world catagory also.

At our first REtechSouth event this year we had about 150 people. In’09 we expect as many as 500. So, the networking opportunity is going to be pretty solid compared to a small crowd event.

It looks like Phoenix will be a totally different kind of deep training - not the same kind of event as Orlando at all. Seems like an interesting idea, but my guess is that it’s gonna be a small group thing.

Nothing wrong with that for the purpose of hard core training &; planning, but the networking and “conference” piece might well be limited? Just no way to create that without some head count.

Plus, what about the voices that are not there in a small group? I’d like to hear from everyone and then decide what’s useful - as we’ll do at Inman.

Barcamp is a lot of fun, but I’m not sure how much actual work we’ll get done there in a day. Seems like Phoenix will be the exact opposite - all work, very limited play?

The good news is that all these events absolutely have their place. I think they compliment each other quite nicely.

Posted by Matt Fagioli on 12/26/2008 06:35 PM

Comments (31)

Conferences in the Training Channel

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31 Comments on Real Estate Conferences in 2009

DEC

Don't forget REBlogWorld in Las Vegas next year. Of the 6 events I attended in 2008, this one was my favorite. Of course I didn't get to yours but it's way on the other side of the country from me!

Kristal, OMG, how could I have forgotten about REblogWorld. That was definltely one of the best events of 2008 for me too. What made it your favorite event? What comments do you have about the other 5 events you attended?

I really enjoyed your thoughts on Unchained in Orlando... ;^ )

As for REtechSouth, I have to say that as an attendee BEFORE joining Diamond Dwellings for the 2008 event, it was a GREAT event. Well worth the money. Of course this time I will certainly be there!

The NAR 2009 will be in San Diego.

Another good conference is the CRS Sell-a-bration in San Francisco in February.

HI Matt. I might have jumped the gun on the endorsement I gave. This is what I asked on BHB:

Did anyone else but vendors and managing brokers speak at RETech2008? How about for RETech2009? I didn’t notice any folks presenting who actually bought, sold, or financed homes for a living.

Prior to that, I said this, explaining the BHB was really not more expensive than any others but actually quite a bargain (considering the content). :

Thanks for the nice review about Unchained, Matt. I’ll admit that $697 is a lot of money (Unchained Phoenix 09) but remind everyone that it’s for three days. Your best deal is to join CyberProfessionals (if they have an open spot in your city, for $200, and get the $300 discount.

Cyberprofessionals gives you all the benefits of Inman’s “networking” but from people who actually make money selling real estate; not stuff to real estate agents.

The cost is not much more that your show, when you think about it. Throw in airfare and hotel and it’ll cost about $1,300 to attend Unchained. I’d venture to say that it will cost about $700 to attend RETechSouth, when you figure airfare and hotel.

If “size mattered”, I think an agent would be better off at Todd Carpenter’s Blog World. There are more people there, the same vendors, and people who might actually buy, sell, or finance homes there. Todd Carpenter’s event dwarfs Inman by his affiliation with the Blog World.

With all due respect, your “size matters” argument is wrong. It’s the quality of the networking that matters not the quantity.

Bloggers, in my opinion, do far less business than their non-blogging (and full-time) counterparts. That’s just and independent observation from an originator who’s done business with both groups, for the past 3 years.

“The good news is that all these events absolutely have their place. I think they compliment each other quite nicely.”

Stipulated. It’s a matter of time and money, though. Attending 4-5 events is a great idea but who can afford to be away from their businesses? Unfortunately, productive agents and originators must be choosy, with both resources, next year.

I’d suggest, based on my limited interaction with you and my understanding of your curriculum, that agents and originators in the South would do well to flock to your event.

As a point of clarification, BHB Unchained will NOT be hosted by vendors, The faculty are hard-headed, producing agents and originators with demonstrable resukts. BHB Unchained is for the producing, full-time real estate or lending professional hoping to learn how to imprive his/her web presence.

My comment on BHB to Brian...

We have not released our schedule and/or speaker list yet for REtechSouth '09. Putting the finishing touches on that now. It will have vendors/agents/brokers/friends/my mom/others - anyone who can add to the conversation.

By the way, Brad & I both buy and sell houses for a living - everyday. Do we count? :)

If selling to agents is a criteria for disqualifying a speaker, then I guess you are out Brian? I'm sure you make your living in large part by building relationships with agents? So, can you really tell me that you've got some snow-white-no-agenda message here? I don't buy it.

EVERY single one of us is selling something to someone. And we always bring that with us to the show.

It's a matter of quality content framed by providing "the whole conversation" - not just one side or one view.

Matt, I think NAR 2009 is in San Diego. I wish it was in Las Vegas, I would be there for sure.

REBlogWorld is October 15, 2009 in Las Vegas. One of the best things about this show is that it's part of the larger BlogWorld and New Media Expo, which runs on the 16th and 17th. This gives agents and lenders a look at what others are doing in the greater blogosphere and really widens your perspective.

I am in the process of deciding too. I will attend KW in Orlando in Feb. as I will be speaking and definately REblogWorld in Vegas as I heard it was fantastic last year. The others are "I'm in the deciding mode". If it is the same speakers at every event then been there, done that, bought the T-Shirt and next.

Hi Matt-

My bad. I didn't know you and Brad were producers.. Of course I don't sell houses; I finance them but I'm in the trenches, fighting for customers, every day.

I"m not arguing with your right to include vendors; a man's gotta eat.I am, however, pointing out that your conslusion that BHB Unchained in "expensive" is bad math.The value, to a producing real estate agent, is really inexpensive. Let me explain.

BHB Unchained is a three-day, hands-on workshop. A producing agent, experienced in Web 2.0 or a brand-new newbie, will come in with nothing and walk out with:

a- a weblog/Website with instructions for proper SEO practices.

b- social media profiles, properly wrtten, with a SMM strategy.

c- 2-3 SMM campaigns, outlined for resukts, by folks who have proven track records. Landing pages, designed to capitalize on those results

Three days of instruction, along with a whole new online marketing image. Those tech-hustlers would charge you THOUSANDS for those kind of products. No, I think $400-$700 is a small price to pay for such a conference. But, as you said, each conference has its place; you just didn't understand that in addition to the instruction, you actually receive the finished goods.

Matt, thanks for the dates and places. Please put me on your list for info about RETechSouth. I used to live in Atlanta and love any excuse to go back for a visit!

Matt...thanks for the reminder of what's coming up for '09! Right now, I'm targeting your event (already registered...and will to help with whatever, as long as I can still ATTEND the sessions!) and the NAR convention in San Diego. I'd like to do Inman Connect in SFO, but two trips to the West Coast in one year might be a toughy!

Come on real estate market! Show Me The Money!!!!

Last year I attended the NAHREP (National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals) Annual Conference in Phoenix. I had a great time. Can't remember when I was treated so royally. Plus, they had a really great class on blogging (AR), Twitter, Facebook, and other social media websites. I was so inspired by that class that I've been blogging and tweeting ever since. Next year the conference will be in Los Angeles, at (or very near) Disneyland. Only thing is...if 2009 isn't better than 2008, I may not be able to attend. To learn more: www.NARHEP.org.

Matt - The RETechSouth event sounds interesting to me, and I may try to attend that one. I also have a couple of friends in Atlanta that I would like to meet for the first time.

Matt: Thank you for the 2009 conference list. I will check them out .

DEC

Hi Matt, I am with Missy. I will definitely be attending the Keller Williams in Orlando in February. It is one of the best training/educational classes out there. Heck, it is where I learned about Active Rain last year!

Don't know if I will be able to afford to go anywhere, but if I could it would be a StarPower conference. I love their stuff!

Matt- Inman San Fran is the best real estate/tech conference I have attended (4 years). I would be interested in speaking or serve as a panel member if you are interested. I bring an interesting perspective (30 years in RE and IT company for 13 years). VH Whitepaper.

decisions, decisions -- I think this year my office is going to focus on several real estate shows -- still working on business plan - jealous that you are done -- congrats and best of luck in 2009!!

Hi Matt,

I want to put a plug in for the annual Star Power conference. I have been going to Star Power for years and always benefit from what I learn. Star Power is put on by Howard Brinton and the Brinton Stars. This July the conference will be in Colorado. It is an action packed conference that does not have 20,000 attendees, which personally makes me crazy. Year after year there are about 1500 to 2000 really successful agents who attend. Everyone is great at sharing and networking! You should check it out if you don't know about it.

Matt ~ I enjoyed REBlogWorld because it was more advanced than normal AND we got to mingle with bloggers in the real world. The trade show was excellent as well as the sessions. Funny thing, I almost didn't go, but Teresa Boardman kicked my butt by saying "This is the one where we will LEARN something." I hate to admit it, but T was right. Kelley Koehler taught her "What to do when Google doesn't like you" and Mariana Wagner did "Click to Close". Both ladies are excellent speakers and gave tremendous value.

There were other good ones, but I also was the "official photographer" for the event (hahaha) so I was moving around a lot, shooting people.

I also attended both Inman Conferences, NYC and San Francisco. My take away from those was the awesome networking. I got to meet Mitchell Hall our favorite NYC broker who took me to open houses, talk about culture shock! Mitchell rocks! He took Patricia Kennedy and I on the SUBWAY to see houses. In San Francisco I got to finally meet in person my friend Maureen Frances. We shared a room like old buddies. Teresa and I walked the streets of San Francisco shooting. Roberta Murphy and I went to Jeff Turner's favorite restaurant which I still have serious cravings for. Jeff proved once again he's a man worth following!

Oh the conferences were ok, but I didn't learn anything I didn't already know. It was all about the people.

Then there was the NAR Midyear and NAR Orlando. Once again it was about the people.

IN the spring I always go to the CyberPros Conference, last year it was in Pittsburgh. Our conferences are intense and filled with sharing. Each person gets to share 15 minutes of fame. We talk about what we are doing. That's enough to add a ton of items to the old "to do" list.

BTW next year I'm attending the Bloodhound Unchained. I'm looking forward to 3 days of intense learning. It is unlike any other conference in the industry. I'm looking to compete on a higher level, I know about blogging yaddy yaddy, now I want to work toward perfecting my skills.

The year 2009 is going to be about STRATEGY. We all know what we should do, now we need to develop a solid strategy to optimize our efforts.

Learning and sharing what I've learned with others is exciting to me. So I will be doing REBlogWorld and BH next year. Hope to see you there!

(You asked for this! Hope you aren't sorry you did! :)

Happy New Year to you!

Thom, Given the choice between NAR in San Diego and Inman SF, I'd choose Inman SF all day long! If you are only going to the left coast once next year, you'll get way more out of Blogger's Connect & Inman - plus I'm guessing there will be another SF barcamp?

Krystal, thanks so much for your great comments above. this comment string is really getting good. lots of insight about conferences so others can make some decisions and plan for 2009. I'll be at Inman NYC and (of course) REtechSouth. After that it's a bit fuzzy!

OK, I've added REblogWorld to the list in the original post & corrected the location for NAR (thanks to those that pointed it out). Not sure about adding the Starpower event since that is a "one voice" event vs. a broad conference with a multitude of voices.

Thoughts?

What else should be on the list?

Being in a second home market on one of the "neighbor islands" as we are called on Kauai, do you think there is value for us to come to these mainland-based conferences. Surely our travel expenses are higher since we have to get back to the mainland to attend. Having transitioned to real estate after 20+ years in technology, I've found that trade shows have less value than in previous times due to the connectivity and immediacy of the internet. Anyway, that's my thought. I do however love reading about the conferences and the social networks that are buildling seem genuine and inspired.

Excellent points. I'm still planning my 2009 travel schedule but I'm putting a high priority on the Bloodhound Blog conference in April.

Thank you for the event dates, I am trying to build my 2009 plan but finding that I need much help from those with more experience. Thanks for the tips

And the conversation continues...

I added some more thoughts over on the REtechSouth blog.

DEC

I go for quality rather than quantity, and like the opportunity to interact. That said, I go to NAR, but only for the trade show - I use the rest of the time for "off site" group meetings, and one-on-ones. Those have been far more valuable to me than the general sessions or classes. (as you know from NAR Orlando, we can get great classes in the trade show, such as your session on blogging with some great speakers, and a small enough group for good interaction).

Man... I can't leave you alone for ten minutes without some sort of blog war breaking out... You guys need to play nice. ;^ )

JAN

RE Tech South is going to ROCK. I can't stinkin wait.

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