Brian Copeland
By Brian Copeland, 2009 NAR Conference Blogger
Zero money was spent on ads. Zero information went out through overly official channels. Social media and organic communication lead more than 500 registrants to NAR’s first RE BarCamp held at Stingaree (a venue bar in the Gaslight District). The day kicked off with a whole lot of amazing networking.
I always worry about what I call “social media dissonance,” what you expect when you meet a person face-to-face after networking with them online for months/years. Needless to say, in 99 percent of the situations, the meeting exceeded my expectation. And, by the way, I’ll be hosting a RE BarCamp in Nashville, Tennessee in 2010…if Taylor Swift can win entertainer of the year for the CMAs, Nashville can pull this off!
Once everyone got oriented to how the day was to flow, a day of impromptu session, everyone gathered around several big dry erase boards to find out where they were going to spend the each of the 30 minute segments. Sessions centered around the social media theme and included video blogging, mobile apps, WordPress SEO, social media brand equity, blog content, legal issues in in social media and blogging, advanced Twitter, distressed sales/short sales and brokerage of the future, just to name a few of the 58 topics.
Drew Burks
By Drew Burks. 2009 NAR Conference Blogger
Downtown San Diego had a special electricity in the air this morning. As I was pulling up to the Stingaree, location where RE BarCamp is being held, I immediately noticed small groups of people buzzing around. The energy was similar to small children waiting to open gifts on Christmas morning, anticipation and enthusiasm oozing from every person there.
It was a who’s who of the Social Media and Blogging world. One person commented to me that this was his first barcamp and what he immediately noticed was the positive attitude from everyone there. He was correct, there was no negative attitudes or haters.
Maybe it’s all the hard work put in by the volunteers or the beginning of a “movement” as Jim Marks stated in his opening comments, but I am not sure there was a better group of people in the world to be around than the group of people who were at RE BarCamp San Diego this morning.
That’s it for now…I gotta get back to the bar camp and learn more from all these great people.
Brian Copeland
By Brian Copeland, 2009 NAR Conference Blogger
After a too big portion of pancakes at The Broken Yolk, AcStevia and I made it across the street to register for NAR’s first BarCamp. YPN’s Rob Reuter was on hand early on to say hello. I’ll keep you updated later today on the top things shared in the morning session, then later in the afternoon session.
Brian Copeland
By Brian Copeland, 2009 NAR Conference Blogger
As I entered Conference Hall B, the fresh smell of new carpet smacked me right in the face. It was like stepping into a new car…very nice. I have to admit, however, there’s also a new aroma and attitude in the air this year in comparison to last year’s Orlando conference. A refreshed energy of positive market seems to be the topic of every conversation I walk into. Just this week, the Greater Nashville Association of REALTORS released that our sales are up a whopping 22.7 percent. The San Diego ABC affiliate is reporting that foreclosures in market are down 3 percent. At the CRS welcome reception last night, energy was high with nothing but happy talk.
As you enter this time, I encourage you to do the following: 
1. Search out the positive agents in our industry and spend time listening, recharging and learning.
2. Walk the other direction when that ONE gloom-and-doomer corners you on the Expo floor. You don’t need that energy.
3. Find one great idea on the Expo floor and try it for at least two years.
4. Connect with two or three agents, set a time at the end of the day, then meet for 30 minutes to discuss and energize what each of you learned that day and want to implement/take home (hat-tip Julie Beall, Dayton, OH and Jake Marsh, Denver, CO…my YPN peeps).
5. Go to The Good Neighbor Awards presentation and watch the videos. TAKE KLEENEX! It’s an Oprah reunion moment!! They are inspiring, moving and amazing! Saturday Nov. 14 at 4 p.m. General Session ( http://www.realtor.org/convention.nsf/pages/schedule )
Brian Copeland
By Brian Copeland, 2009 NAR Conference Blogger
Entering the Westin, you definitely get the Wizard of Oz Emerald City feel that its known for. As mentioned in my other blog, the interesting architecture abounds in San Diego.
I made my way to the Council of Residential Specialists (CRS) pre-conference meetings. This morning’s topic, International Affairs, lead by Jed Smith, Managing Director for Quantitative Research for NAR.
Takeaways from Mr. Smith presentation:
1. Economy and housing is getting substantially better from this time last year domestically. Our market reacts with the international market.
2. Economics, Government and People Some Forecasting Issues:
a. Modeling The Economy. Did we get it right?, Government. What’s the government going to do? People. Are they scared to act? Are they rational?
b. Risks and Uncertainties: The world is recovering from recession
c. Domestic and International Interactions: commercial real estate is a huge factor or the “iceberg.” Residential mortgages and rolling over of those mortgages.
3. Some Federal incentives have been delayed but will be coming to fruition. (Home Affordable Refinance Program, Home Affordable Modification Program, Upside down mortgages, removing toxic assets from balance sheets.)
4. Guessing a 2.4 percent GDP growth in 2010 as opposed to 2009’s –2.7 percent decline.
5. Many foreign purchasers pay with cash. If you have international buyers, you can confidently tell them that in two to three year, they can look back and say that perhaps they purchased “at the bottom.”
Brian Copeland
By Brian Copeland, 2009 NAR Conference Blogger
I have officially picked up my conference book, expo guide, all the additions to the program and spamilicious bag of goodies. Perhaps it’s an eco-friendly thing, but I’m loving the idea of the iPhone app. Everything seems to be there in real time. I’ll be updating you throughout the week on how the iPhone App is jelling. Here’s a list of the things I’m looking forward to most with this new tool.
1. It’s great to see the @NAR2009 tweets to keep me connected with everyone around.
2. While I haven’t witnessed it yet, the Expo floor guidance looks like a winner.
3. As a chubby guy, the dining guide rocks!
If you haven’t downloaded it yet, you can search the App store under NAR 2009 or link HERE.
Brian Copeland
By Brian Copeland, 2009 NAR Conference Blogger
Coming from one of the “land locked” states, Tennessee, I sometimes forget the perks of coming to a place like San Diego. As the sun rose over the bay outside my hotel this morning (a rarely seen site for me since I’m a late sleeper and this time change is killing me), I reminded myself of the opportunities I need to take-in while I’m here.
1. Architecture: Walking from the Holiday Inn to the Westin this morning, I had to take pause at the the Spanish influenced buildings that seem to just pop up. On your walk from session to session, hotel to hotel or cocktails to dinner, don’t forget to look around and check out San Diego’s amazing architecture.
2. Public Transportation: As a REALTOR, I also see myself as a city/county advisor. Oftentimes, I find myself called by a media outlet or a public official to ask my opinion on something. Take this opportunity to sample San Diego’s public transportation (rail and bus) to articulate the pros and cons when you are called on for input in your city. I’m amazed at the convenience to get from downtown to the staple Fashion Valley Mall (home of the Apple Store). The bus makes it super easy to get to from the airport to any hotel near NAR for approximately $2.00. Any city like Nashville, Louisville, Charlotte or Kansas City can take cues from a city with a strong mass transit.
3. Eat Seafood: The lobster and steak I had last night on the bay would have cost me EASILY $50+ back home in Nashville. Accessible oceans don’t rise every day outside my town! $24 later, I’m full…uh…really full of yumminess from the sea. When you’re tempted to order your normal chicken and salad, don’t forget you can actually afford fresh seafood here.
As we “Chart A Winning Course” over the next few days together, I thought the site outside my hotel window was a great way to symbolize the time, the huge cruise ship. While we’re technically not on vacation, you still have the chance to live it up like you’re on a cruise and learn from those you normally don’t see. I can’t wait!
Jessica Hickok
By Jessica Hickok
I’m a big list maker and checklist lover. While gearing up for the big NAR Annual Conference and Expo coming up in just two short weeks in San Diego, I am in list-making overdrive.
However there is one list that I make that I would like to encourage every REALTOR® to do the same in preparation for the convention. And that is a list of people you should attempt to meet IRL (in real life) while attending the sessions. With so many of us on Twitter and Facebook, we all tend to flock together online but don’t make the effort to meet in the real world.
So make your IRL list and check it twice. If you have a list, you won’t miss anyone. Make an effort to get out and meet people. Snap your picture with them while you’re at it and post it to Facebook. After all, connecting with your peers is what makes the conference a success.
Jessica Hickok, a self-proclaimed blogging and Twittering fanatic, is with Dizmang Properties in Springfield, Mo. Visit Jessica’s blog: www.jessicahickok.com.
Shannon Williams King
By Shannon Williams King, YPN Advisory Board Chair
Convention is always a blast! Especially this year with it being held in San Diego. If you haven’t signed up, make sure to register and join YPN during our events Nov. 12-16. Besides the fantastic speakers, sessions and expo, there are some great YPN events going on as well.
We’ll kick off the convention on Thursday evening at the Inaugural Celebration, where YPN will have tables reserved for members to help celebrate the installation of NAR’s 2010 leadership and Vicki Cox Golder (Tucson, Ariz.) as the 2010 president. For more information on sitting with YPN at this event please e-mail YPN Manager Rob Reuter at rreuter@realtors.org.
After a fun night of celebrating, we’ll be up early to attend the Diversity, Youth and Politics session Friday at 8:30-10:30 a.m. During this session we’ll explore using pop culture, social networking, and other successful methods to reach and engage future agents, members, and leaders. YPN will have a table at the back of the room so please stop by and see us! We’ll have information on YPN, and how to start a chapter in your area!
And please don’t miss our signature YPN Networking Event on Friday, Nov. 13, 7-9 p.m., on the roof top of the Hotel Solmar. The event is currently full, but there is a waiting list you can join. During this event you’ll get to meet YPN members from around the country to network with and exchange business ideas. Also at this event we will be announcing our Chapter of the Year Award. This year’s finalist are Houston, Missouri, and Minneapolis.
As you can see there are quite a few ways to get involved with YPN at this year’s conference and expo. We look forward to having you join us!
The United Nations has designated the first Monday each October as
World Habitat Day.
This year on Oct. 5, Habitat for Humanity is leading a global observance in Washington, D.C. and around the world, to declare that the lack of decent, affordable housing is unacceptable. The theme for World Habitat Day 2009 is “Planning Our Urban Future.”
According to the United Nations, more than 100 million people in the world today are homeless. Millions more face a severe housing problem living without adequate sanitation, with irregular or no electricity supply and without adequate security.
Worldwide, more than 2 million housing units per year are needed for the next 50 years to solve the present worldwide housing crisis. With the global population expanding, however, at the end of those 50 years, there would still be a need for another 1 billion houses. (UN-HABITAT: 2005)
Habitat for Humanity seeks to raise awareness and advocates to change the global plague of poverty housing.
Recent Comments