Although today is Friday the 13th, I believe we will see how lucky this day is for the real estate industry as THE 2009 REALTORS® CONFERENCE & EXPO, ‘Chart a Winning Course’ opens in San Diego. In reviewing the conference schedule & highlights, NAR once again has produced an action packed schedule for all of those attending. Even the days prior to the official start of the conference were full of great events.
The Women’s Council of Realtors, (WCR) national convention began on Wednesday with their famous ‘Shop the Chapter Fundraising Sales’ tables and then their opening network evening. Skirts’ member Amy Chorew was the moderator for the educational panel, “The Power of Social Media to Build Your Business.” And, just watching the TWEETS that were being sent, this panel really made a great impression on those attending. Thursday ended with the general session. Today, they will be having their annual business meeting and various meetings for the local chapter delegates. On Saturday they will have Matthew Ferrara, who will be speaking on, ‘Real Estate Opportunities 2010.’ In knowing Matt, this session will have the members of WCR sitting on the edge of their seats and wanting to implement all of his great ideas as soon as they get home.
On Wednesday, National Association of Realtors and the five local REALTOR® Associations, and Habitat for Humanity helped a family in the Conference City realize the American dream of home ownership during their ‘Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Build Day.’ On Thursday, everyone who was already in San Diego put on their dancing shoes and attended the International Welcome Reception and the Inaugural Celebration for Vicki Cox Golder, 2010 NAR President. Take time and watch the video on Realtor.org to learn more about Vicki.
The educational series begin for NAR today, starting at 8:30 AM with 11 classes, I might have to peak in on ‘He Said, She Said: Bridging the Gender Communication,’ with Rhonda Hamilton, ABR, AHWD, GRI, PMN, SRES. In reading the synopsis- ‘Understand primary communication differences in order to develop and maintain on-going loyalty and referral business and close the sale with both male and female clients. Identify how gender differences may lead to conversational misunderstandings, and require different approaches to relationship building in both personal and professional settings,’ stay tuned for what I learn.
There are 21 additional educational sessions that begin after the morning sessions and it’s going to be tough to decide which one to attend, so I am thinking that Skirts’ members Team Cashi, from Sarasota, Fl will have to split up and attend a couple of sessions for us so that we won’t miss any of the great tips that are given. The sessions that caught my eye were: Agent Survival Tips for a Tough Market; Times Are A-Changin’ … Are You Able, Willing, and Ready? Part 1; Treating Your Business Like a Business; Seven Changes Managers Must Make; Creating a “Winning” Managed Transaction; and of course RISMedia’s Power Broker Perspective: Maximizing Distressed Property Business.
The doors open for the 2009 EXPO at 4 PM. There are over 400 exhibitors and I am excited to see what this year’s ‘shiny new object’ will be and of course looking forward to seeing a lot of great friends who will be walking the aisles. Of course I will have to find our Skirts’ friend, ‘Kathy’s Jewelry,’ from Atlanta to see what great knock-off jewelry I can find for my college-age niece. And, as I have for the last 12+ plus years I will close the first day of NAR with my many friends at the RIS Media 14th Annual Power Broker Reception & Dinner.
From Saturday on, there are so many great sessions that I will really have to work my network to see who is going to what sessions so that I can share all of the information with you next week. I am looking forward to hearing Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, PhD as she speaks during the general session and share her perspective on the current world events. And, I have to admit that I will be one of the many who will be standing in line to meet William Shatner (Captain Kirk). Yes, I am a Star Trek fan, but the real reason for standing in line is that his wife and I went to high school together. I hope that she is there with him. It has been many years since we’ve seen each other.
