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Inman Connect Recap

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Joel McDonald -- www.AutomatedHomefinder.com

Wednesday, I wrote about my spontaneous decision to come to Inman NY & am sure glad I did.  I wasn't even sure I'd get in because my ticket wasn't in my name.  (I got a free ticket thanks to my fantastic Twitter friend (and Cleveland Realtor) @CleveCarole who couldn't go.  (Yet another reason I love Twitter. Carole -- I owe you big! Thanks so much for the ticket!) I'm now awaiting to board my plane back home & thought I'd send a shout-out to some of the fantastic folks I met up with at Inman Connect.

No, the picture of Jay, Jeff, Heather & Andy was not staged!  I couldn't resist taking a picture of my fellow Twitterers tweeting away in the middle of a crowded NYC bar.

I learned a lot at the conference, but rarely had my camera with me. However, I did have it with me at the various parties put on by Active Rain, and Altos Research.  Besides it's the after-hours networking that make for fun connections, as well as fantastic networking opportunities!  Let's just say I hung out with some really good "networkers" & some good negotiators.  I was even able to witness a certain someone practice his "negotiating" with the bartender to sell him an open bottle of wine, and then negotiated with New York's finest about his open container in Times Square.

If there is one thing I've learned from this conference (and other real estate conferences I've gone to in the past), it's how amazingly powerful relationships with other Realtors & professionals around the country can be.  I got my real estate license in 1994, and hardly ever went to conferences figuring I'd be better off spending the time marketing, or doing something more directly in my control.  However, you never know what you're not learning that could be that next big breakthrough for your business.  Even more important are the connections and referral opportunities that open up because of the amazing connections you will make with amazing people from around the country who also attend these events.

I can't wait to see everyone again at the next event I go to which I think is going to be REtechSouth. (I'm hoping to do it with a little more planning this time.) 

That's all for now, folks.  I'm about to board my plane & head home to see my wonderful wife & kids.

Comments (38)

Roland Woodworth
Blue Cord Realty - Clarksville, TN
Blue Cord Realty

Joel: Looks like you had a great time.. I look forward to meeting Active Rainers and Twitter at event in the future

Jan 09, 2009 02:44 PM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Joel, you did a GREAT job with those photos... I can see why you had such a great time!

Jan 09, 2009 02:51 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

so how was the conference? would you go again?

Jan 09, 2009 03:25 PM
Vickie McCartney
Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY
Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Joel~ Lucky you, you got to go, and got a free ticket!  Looks like everyone had a great time.  What is the best thing you learned at Inman?

Jan 09, 2009 03:31 PM
Morgan Evans
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

Loved the photos, looked like a great time.  Hope you learned a lot, feel a little jealous that I didn't make it over.

Jan 09, 2009 04:37 PM
Brett Duaretto
CHEAP DRUG DELIVERY Inc. - New York, NY
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Jan 09, 2009 07:30 PM
Diane Aurit
LKN Realty, LLC - Mooresville, NC
Lake Norman Real Estate

Thanks for sharing...while it makes me jealous I also love to see my friends and those I haven't met yet having such a great time.  But, I really want to hear about the conference so off I go to find some posts:)

Jan 10, 2009 12:15 AM
Bo Hussung
Bell Title /Triserv LLC - Nashvle, TN

Joel, so many familiar faces! Perhaps I should have been there too. I am glad you have fun.

Be safe and good luck with your 2009 goals

Bo

Jan 10, 2009 01:02 AM
Maribeth Messineo Peters
214-566-1210 - Dallas, TX
Dallas native-Preston Hollow Greenway Parks expert

I agree! It was a great conference.  Glad I went also. The best time to go to conference like Inman is during times of change.

Jan 10, 2009 01:45 AM
Joel McDonald
Joel McDonald -- www.AutomatedHomefinder.com - Castle Pines North, CO

Thanks to everyone for all of the wonderful comments!  I literally submitted this post before boarding my plane, got home 6 hours later, went to bed & am off to a family event today. It's good to be home.

Jan 10, 2009 02:05 AM
Jay Thompson
Zillow - Seattle, WA

Joel - it was GREAT to meet you! Fantastic photos capturing the camaraderie! It was a great trip.

Jan 10, 2009 02:42 AM
Lori Baden
EXP Realty LLC - Pgh International Airport, PA
Broker in the Burgh!

For those reading this, there was  huge amount of information shared. Things learned. But the real value was in the realationships formed (that's not a typo!).  THOSE are PRICELESS!  And Meeting Joel, and so many of the other Peeps, just the absolute Icing  on the cake.

Joel, awesome post. Love the way you grouped the pictures (need to learn to do that!).   But I know you are so happy to be back home in Denver with your Sweetie and your kids. Tell them thanks for letting you come.  Enjoy some snow for me!

Jan 10, 2009 03:06 AM
Heather Elias
Century 21 Redwood Realty - Ashburn, VA

I think we were racing to see who could find the line on the football game the fastest. ;)

Seriously, it was a wonderful surprise to get to meet you in person. The best part of the conference, for me, is always being able to sit down and have real conversations with the many talented people that I've gotten to know online. Rehashing the conference, comparing notes on our own businesses, whatever~~I always learn so much.

Cheers,

Heather

Jan 10, 2009 03:17 AM
Cindy Hartpence
Edisto Real Estate Company - Edisto Beach, SC

Reading these posts really help to make me feel confident to attend future conferences and meet the folks in person who have been so helpful and given me so much amazing information!

Cindy

 

Jan 10, 2009 03:56 AM
Matt Fagioli
Dacula, GA

Good times man!  great to finally meet you.  We'll have an even better time in Atlanta in March for REtechSouth.  c u then

Jan 10, 2009 04:25 AM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Joel... looks like you got to meet some good people. I only went up on Thursday, between being sick and work....  I went for all 3 days last year in NYC.  And sorry that we didn't get to meet... thanks for the pics.

jeff belonger

Jan 10, 2009 06:14 AM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

It looks and sounds like you had a great time on your spur of the moment trip.

Jan 10, 2009 12:31 PM
Esko Kiuru
Bethesda, MD

Joel,

Wondering if those busy Twitterers had any time to sip their drinks at all? Looks like they all were onto something. Anyway, glad to hear that the event was such a success.

Jan 10, 2009 01:00 PM
Anonymous
Daniel Rothamel, Inman Community Manager

Joel,

 

I'm really glad that you made it out to NYC, and I'm glad we had the chance to meet and talk once again.  I'm also very happy that you had a good time at Connect NYC '09, and I hope that your experience there, and the things you learned, will make 2009 a banner year for you.

See you in San Francisco!

 

Jan 12, 2009 01:57 AM
#37
Kent Simpson
Realty One Group Mountain Desert - Tucson, AZ
Real Estate Is About People

Joel - sounds like you had a good & (ahem) productive time! LOL
I love NYC but haven't been there in quite a while.  Will have to go next time.

Jan 25, 2009 02:31 AM