If you're nervous about boarding a plane, or too busy to break away, or you just haven't had enough sales to warrant the expense of a long weekend in a pricey convention towns like San Francisco, you aren't alone. Attending real estate conventions is less of a priority for many real estate agents these days.

Following the dot-com debacle and continuing evidence of an uncertain economy, many convention planners were feeling the pinch of agent disinterest before the terrible events of September 11th. Since then, cancelled events, poor attendance and reduced vendor participation at conventions across the country raise the question of not only how agents can receive the educational and networking benefits of a convention without the risks and expense, but how planners can afford to put such events on?

One organization may have found an answer - have a convention online.

The Real Estate Cyberspace Society is hosting the first cyberconvention in real estate history, and you can attend for free with a click of your mouse. Called the National Real Estate On-line Convention And Exposition, the convention will be held live online April 18-22, 2202.

You won't miss events that you would expect to be less dynamic in cyberspace; the convention will feature everything from live keynotes by Michael J. Russer, aka Mr. Internet, and Jim Young, founder of RealComm to an exposition populated by most of the leading technology vendors.

There will be two General Sessions, breakouts with over 30 nationally recognized real estate trainers, authors and industry experts who will discuss topics ranging from networking, technology, commercial, international sales, to tips and tricks from working real estate professionals. Think you'll miss networking with other agents? The convention will also feature a Virtual Networking Center and a Convention On-line Social Center.

With the convention first announced in February, Real Estate Cyberspace Society CEO Jack Peckham says that preregistered attendees are already approaching 10,000 from over 28 countries. The Society is almost halfway to their goal of serving 25,000 residential and commercial real estate agents online.

"At the Society we have been planning this event for over a year--even before 9/11," says Peckham. "We saw the Society in a unique position, our objective always being to provide the most up to date information, services, tools and opportunities for our members to succeed in cyberspace. We seemed to be the natural organization to organize and produce a major On-Line Virtual Convention and Exposition. We have been producing the basic content of such an event for over 6 years with our Real Estate CyberSpace Radio and other information content at www.REcyber.com. Our Society members receive access to this type of content 24/365 along with a lot of other significant tools. We know that inviting the rest of the real estate industry to attend without cost will open a lot of eyes to the benefits of Society membership."

"We also realized that real estate professionals are busier than ever and value their time and that an on-line convention will be a less time demanding and less costly alternative or effective add-on to typical conventions," explains Peckham. "Also, in this era of heightened security, sitting in the comfort of your home or office and hearing experts provide real estate tips and visiting booths with the latest products and services can be more attractive than traveling to faraway cities."

Participating vendors also benefit. Not only do they skip paying airfare, booth and staffing costs, the Society promises 24-hour visibility at the On-line Expo and the booths won't be dismantled for twelve months following the convention all for a low booth fee.

Peckham says, "The only thing missing will be out of pocket costs for airfare, hotel bills, lost shoe leather, aching muscles, travel hassle and registration fees - and time away from home!"

And don't forget to sign up for door prizes. Look for the fishbowls on the front page of each vendor's convention site to put in your e-card.

Editor's note: The National Real Estate On-line Convention And Exposition is sponsored by a number of news organizations such as Realty Times, vendors and real estate associations. Take advantage of this free service today.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Now For Early Bird FREE Attendance And Prizes!

Published: March 26, 2002

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Blanche Evans is the award-winning senior editor of Realty Times, the Internet's leading independent real estate news service. She is featured daily on the Realty Times Video Network in the "Realty Viewpoint" segment. Blanche has been named one of the "25 Most Influential People In Real Estate" by REALTOR Magazine, and has been twice recognized as a "notable." In 2005, she was named "Top Reporter Covering the NAR" by Delahaye-Bacon's. Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. To contact Blanche, email her at . For more articles by Blanche, click here.