Between the events of September 11th, the dot-com/technology meltdown, and a slowing market for many Realtors, the timing for the NAR's annual convention was looking poorly. But, Sue Gourley, managing director of the NAR's convention group, says attendees and trade show exhibitors are coming determined to improve their businesses.

"Last year we had record attendance of 23,685 people," says Gourley. "This year, we are expecting attendance to hit over 20,000. "The difference in Chicago is that there are fewer guests and spouses that attend, because San Francisco is such a resort town. You get a bigger attendance in resort areas."

"I'm happy to say that the Realtors are planning on coming," she adds. "Advance registration closed and on-site began yesterday, but as far as advanced registrants goes we are only 700 behind San Francisco last year, and that was a record-setting event."

Gourley says that the NAR had not expected attendance to reach record levels again this year, and is very pleased with the 12,00 advanced registrations so far. "People are still calling in," she says. "And we are hearing some great stories. Some Realtors are afraid to fly, but they are chartering buses and coming in groups. One group is coming from Maine, and they are planning on keeping a diary of their trip by charter bus. It is very heartening. We are expecting 22 buses alone coming in from the Illinois area."

"This speaks to the patriotism of our members. They want to get together and be together, and they want to go forward. And we are just as determined to give them a good conference."

As if the events of September 11th weren't enough to shake a conventioneer's confidence, the dot-com/technology meltdown may have some wondering what there will be to see at the trade show. There has been some fallout from contributors including one major exhibitor with a $250,000 space, but Gourley says new companies are making up the shortfall.

"Dot-coms are also in a period of adversity, so our expectations weren't as high for the trade show," explains Gourley. "We expected 1,300 (10 by 10) booths, and a little more than 400 exhibitors. San Francisco was also a record with 1,590 booths, so the dot-com companies that aren't in business this year did have an effect, but we have a lot of new things."

Gourley says that Realtors will enjoy two new pavilions that weren't at last year's show. "One is a wireless/mobile pavilion which includes a number of new exhibitors," she says. "The other is the RealComm Innovation Showcase, sponsored by e-PRO, which is full of new technologies tools that are just hitting the market. People won't notice the absence of any booth because there is so much new going on. The exhibitors that are here are excited to be here, and it is great that so many are going on with business. People are serious about doing business."

What is Gourley looking most forward to? "Tom Brokaw on Saturday," she says without hesitation. "That will be interesting."

Even the weather is cooperating, suggests Gourley. "It is supposed to be in the mid-60s for most of the convention and in the forties at night. The trees still have leaves and it is pretty here right now."

Next year, NAR's annual convention will return to sultry New Orleans, November 8th through the 11th, 2002.