Call for VAR convention social media correspondents
July 31, 2008
Are you bringing your laptop to VAR’s Convention & Expo 2008? Are you the citizen journalist type? If yes, we want you!
With a view to expanding the social media coverage of last year’s convention, we’re calling for volunteers to cover VAR’s Convention & Expo 2008 by blog, Twitter, podcast, streaming video, or whatever you would like to use. We have three ways for you to get involved, all with a different commitment level.
- Lowest commitment: Tag all of your blog posts, photos, tweets, etc. with VAR08. We’ll use that tag to create a stream of social media news about the convention.
- Medium commitment: Apply to contribute to the VARConvention.com blog. If selected, we’ll issue you a login and password, and you can post to the official convention blog from your laptop or from VAR’s free Cyber Café.
- Higher commitment: Apply to be considered as an official VAR Convention & Expo Social Media Correspondent. If selected, not only will you be added as a contributor to the VARConvention.com blog, we’ll also feature your coverage of the event at VARConvention.com and reimburse you for your use of the hotel’s Wi-Fi connection. In return, we’ll expect you to report on VAR Convention & Expo events using photos, audio, video and/or blog posts. We anticipate our correspondents will make a minimum of three substantive reports daily. We’ll help arrange interviews with speakers and access to special events to help you tell the story of VAR’s Convention & Expo 2008. This is an exclusive opportunity available only to five applicants, to be selected by VAR staff.
To express your interest, leave a comment or e-mail me: ben at varealtor dot com.
Legal updates! Fresh hot legal updates from Lem Marshall!
July 17, 2008
Fill your VAR Convention & Expo experience with wall-to-wall Lem Marshall. VAR’s regent of real estate regulation is packing a case of lozenges for his trip to Baltimore: He’s speaking four times during the convention, totaling seven hours of instruction.
Lem’s sessions are always packed, so get there early to ensure you get a seat! Here’s a guide to his appearances:
Friday, September 26
1:15–3:15 p.m.
Three Contingencies: Avoiding the Traps that Lurk
This course deals with the three contingencies most frequently found in residential purchase agreements, and that are responsible for a high percentage of contract failures. The way these contingencies are negotiated and drafted can have enormous impact on whether a deal stays together or dies an unnecessary death. Approved for 2 Hours Contracts CE; 2 Hours Elective PL
3:30–5:30 p.m.
A New Look At Buyer Agency: Putting the Client First
There are many issues and problems raised by the representation of buyers, including the temptations and dangers of dual agency, obtaining a verifiable agreement, handling compensation issues, dealing with limited service brokers and participating in highly competitive deals. This course looks at each of these challenges and gives straightforward guidance in each instance, with the focus always being on service and putting the client first. Approved for 2 Hours Agency CE; 2 Hours Elective PL
Saturday, September 27
2:15-4 p.m.
Legal Update
Don’t miss VAR’s special counsel on the latest real estate issues affecting the industry and issues that are current and important. Approved for 2 Hours Legal Updates CE; 2 Hours Elective PL
4:15–6 p.m.
Death, Divorce and Bankruptcy: Are You Ready for Some Football?
This course develops strategies for dealing with some of the most vexing situations a REALTOR® can face. What if your buyer or seller dies before closing? Are you comfortable dealing with an estate property (either listing or selling)? Are you tired of being whipsawed by feuding spouses? Do you understand how bankruptcy and creditors’ rights affect your deal? Join Lem Marshall in exploring these trying situations. Pending 2 Hours Legal Updates CE; 2 Hours Elective PL
How’s the wireless hotspot at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront?
July 10, 2008
In three words: Not so hot.
We were a bit spoiled last year at the Williamsburg Lodge, where the whole facility was covered with a gratis and strong Wi-Fi signal.
This year, we’re not quite as fortunate. Although the Marriott’s lobby and event areas do have Wi-Fi, there is a fee for use. Virginia Real Estate BloggerCon 3.0 will offer free Wi-Fi for all participants, but that signal will be rolled up after the event has ended, probably by 5:30 p.m. on Friday, September 26. We’ve run the numbers, and providing a free Wi-Fi connection for attendees throughout the convention is simply cost prohibitive.
Alternative internet surfing options:
- VAR’s Cyber Café offers hard-wired computers you can use for free
- Pay for use of the Marriott’s Wi-Fi connection
- Bring a wireless modem
- War drive
We are very sorry for the inconvenience. Trust me: It pains us as much as it pains you.
A new partner supports Friday night’s afterparty
July 9, 2008
The Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® has a new young professionals initiative called EMERGE. Now, EMERGE joins Richmond area real estate networking group Rapport and VAR as a partner in promoting the unofficial post-reception party at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion restaurant and bar, exactly 142 steps away from the Marriott Baltimore Waterfront. The party is at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 26.
Taken together, EMERGE and Rapport have a footprint roughly 70 miles long, north-south along Interstate 95. Everyone’s invited to this afterparty (which is an unofficial event taking place 
in conjunction VAR’s Convention & Expo 2008) but it will be brimming with real estate professionals who work along the I-95 corridor in this stretch of the Commonwealth.
Why VAR members REALLY come to convention + the Twitterazzi
July 3, 2008
What’s the best reason to come to VAR’s Convention & Expo 2008? It’s pretty simple, actually. You!
The opportunity to network with people like you is the reason that Virginia REALTORS® come to VAR every year. As of July 3, more than 150 people have already taken the plunge and registered.
However, there is a group of VAR members attending VAR’s Convention & Expo this year that requires special mention: The Virginia REALTOR® Twitterazzi.
For the uninitiated, Twitter is a kind of social networking site based on text messaging. There is a rather sizable contingent of REALTORS® using Twitter, and Virginia REALTORS® are notorious for their sheer numbers. You can meet them IRL (that stands for In Real Life) at VAR’s Convention & Expo 2008. Without futher ado, here are the Virginia REALTOR® Twitterazzi who are planning to be there.
Confirmed Twitterazzi:
@tonyarko
@nrvliving
@mattrathbun
@drewfristoe
@hthrflynn
@jaemery
@danilob
@jimduncan
@realestatezebra
@candylynn
@scottprogers
@bryanpenman
@mattwilkins
@sarahstelmok
@winvaliving
@drodio
@novaliving
@johnlauber
@blockrealestate
Twitterazzi who are maybe coming:
@franklyrealty
@livtopraise
@jeffroyce
@rvabusiness
Not to mention, two of our speakers are on Twitter:
@sernovitz
@1000wattMarc
Are you a Virginia REALTOR® Twitterazzi attending the Convention, but not on the list? Or are you a “maybe” who has decided to attend? Leave a comment and I’ll add you lickety-split!
Not a Virginia REALTOR®? We don’t care! Heck, we’re not even holding our convention in Virginia this year! So, this is an open invitation to all mid-Atlantic REALTOR® Twitter users (ahem @dezdaniels, @gotbob, @kimwood, @billlublin, @johnlauber attending, @ravishah, and @sarahwv), you can be a part of the fun, too! You can drive or take the train into Baltimore for a fun-filled tweetup with the notorious Virginia REALTOR® Twitterazzi. If nothing less, please plan to attend our unofficial afterparty on Friday, September 26 at 7 p.m.
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VAR's Convention & Expo Experience
