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
Twitterazzi who are maybe coming:
@blockrealestate
@franklyrealty
@tinainvirginia
@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, @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.
Getting a peek behind the curtain: Tale of a first-time VAR Convention attendee
June 27, 2008
Never attended a VAR Convention before? Skeptical that you could possibly get anything out of it?
You’re not alone.
Last year, Danilo Bogdanovic had never thought twice about attending VAR’s Convention & Expo. But now, he sees attending it as a top priority, and he’s even willing to cross a state border to get there!
Read how Danilo’s experience at last year’s Convention set the stage for his future involvement at VAR. The following entry was originally posted by Bogdanovic on VAR’s Convention & Expo 2007 blog in October. His experience helped him realize how crucial it is to be plugged in to REALTOR® association activities. In fact, Danilo went from skeptic to supporter in just a few short days at VAR’s Convention & Expo 2007, and this year you can actually see him teach a session along with fellow Loudoun County REALTOR® Tony Arko. Here are his thoughts at the conclusion of last year’s event:
Not sure how many of you have been to the VAR Convention before, but this was my first time here so I had no idea what to expect. Though there were a variety of things I learned and took home from the convention, the biggest thing I got out of the experience was a better understanding of what VAR’s role was and that VAR actually cared very much about it members (yes, I was a skeptic up until very recently).
VAR does seem to care about what it’s members think and how they feel on issues as illustrated by it’s staff, management and board members - they took the time to stop by, listen to and engage with myself and others in discussions about everything ranging from disclosure issues on blogs to VAR’s desire for increased interaction with members and it’s role in the future. This kind of forward thinking and interaction is exactly what VAR needs to help retain it’s current members and attract new ones, as well as help it’s Realtor members remain competitive and efficient in their business.
Thank you to everyone at VAR for putting this together and helping to change my views. Definitely looking forward to the next VAR Convention and BloggerCon being even bigger and better.
Can’t attend the whole convention? Try a one day pass!
June 25, 2008
Let’s get hypothetical for a minute. Assume, just for the sake of argument, that you can’t attend the entire VAR Convention & Expo. Of course this isn’t the case. You’d be downright silly to pass on the full convention registration, with everything included in the price of admission, it’s the best value. But hypothetically speaking, you’ve determined you just can’t make the whole thing. We have an option for you, and it’s not hypothetical.
You can purchase a one-day pass for VAR’s Convention & Expo 2008 for as low as $145. Here are summaries of what you can expect on the days for which a one-day pass is available:
Friday, September 26 (full schedule)
Unofficially, I’m calling Friday “Fun Day.” Here are some of the highlights:
- First timer coffee hour
- Trend/Countertrend keynote with Robyn Waters
- Virginia Real Estate BloggerCon 3.0
- Out of the Cockpit and Into the Cabin with Marc Davison
- A New Look At Buyer Agency: Putting the Client First with Lem Marshall
- Expo Hall Grand Opening Reception
- Late night afterparty with Rapport (unofficial event)
Saturday, September 27 (full schedule)
And I’m calling Saturday “WOM & Networking Day.” No, it’s not as catchy as Fun Day, I know. This fact notwithstanding, here are the Saturday highlights:
- Breakfast in the Expo Hall
- Word of Mouth Marketing keynote with Andy Sernovitz
- Social Media for the Technologically Challenged with Tony Arko & Danilo Bogdanovic
- Pump Up Your Referral Network: Speed Networking
- Death, Divorce and Bankruptcy: Are You Ready for Some Football? with Lem Marshall
- Inaugural Party, a harbor cruise to toast 2009 VAR President, John Powell (extra fee if buying a one-day pass, included with full convention registration)
- Spontaneous, unscripted post-Inaugural Party merrymaking and hijinx (unofficial event)
Sunday, September 28 (full schedule)
I call Sunday “Short Day.” Not because you can wear shorts (well, who’s gonna stop you, really), but because it’s only half a day. Here’s what you get for your one half-day registration (as low as $45).
- REALTOR® of the Year presentation
- Get Back in the Box: Innovation from the Inside Out with Douglas Rushkoff
So of course, hypothetically speaking, if you can’t attend all of VAR’s Convention & Expo 2008, clearly you have options. And some very good ones, at that.
First time attendee? VAR makes it easy to meet other newbies!
June 18, 2008
Stereotypically speaking, REALTORS® aren’t exactly known for being introverted. Still, it can be intimidating attending a conference of hundreds of people for the first time and seemingly knowing nobody. The folks planning VAR’s Convention & Expo 2008 have this covered.
If this will be your first VAR Convention & Expo, be sure to attend our First Timer’s Coffee hour at 8 a.m. on Friday, September 26. Bring your business cards and come prepared to revel in your first convention moments with others who are also unsure of what to expect. You’ll meet REALTORS® from all around the state, VAR staff members, as well as VAR members serving in volunteer leadership roles.
If this coffee talk session tickles your fancy, consider attending the speed networking session to make even more contacts during the convention.
Location announced for VAR/Rapport networking party
June 11, 2008
You may have heard that VAR and Richmond-based real estate networking group Rapport are joining forces to throw a cash bar after-party on Friday, September 25 at 7 p.m. It’s official: We’ve nailed down a location!
Wear a lei and bring along your ukulele, because the after-party will be held at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion, just one block away from the front door of the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront. Spread the word to your friends, neighbors and relatives. Everyone’s welcome: We want to see you at Roy’s!
Reel in referral contacts in no time flat with Speed Networking
May 7, 2008
Pump up Your Referral Network: Speed Networking: Saturday, September 27 at 4 p.m.
Here’s a news flash: REALTORS® aren’t exactly known for being introverts. Still, some of us on the VAR staff notice that attendees tend to flock together with other REALTORS® from their local associations, making it difficult for even the most gregarious agent or broker to actually meet new professionals from other parts of the state. And then there are the rare introverted agents who would benefit from a little bit of structured networking time. We have the solution and it’s called speed networking.
During this facilitated networking activity, we predict you’ll meet more people in the space of an hour than you would ordinarily meet all day long at a convention. Bring a thick stack of business cards and prepare to schmooze until you lose your breath. Having facilitated many speed learning events for other groups, I can assure you that one of the byproducts is becoming hoarse and tired from the constant talking. Not for the faint of breath.
You bring your elevator pitch, some interesting conversation, and business cards. Speed networking will do the rest.
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Experience Baltimore
