Following the success of the Real Estate Cyberspace Society's annual online conventions in which attendance reached as much as 31,000, founder Jack Peckham is rolling out an online convention format for real estate associations to follow.

The first to step up to the plate is the St. Louis Association of Realtors, the only association to hold an annual convention and exposition completely online.

The online convention will open Sunday, September 12th in cyberspace, and close on December 12th, 2004, with six featured speakers and no charge to attend the event.

"The virtual nature of the convention will allow members to attend any time," explains Peckham. "A fresh new line-up of speakers will be announced for the second Session, which will premier on November 1st."

Attendees can also visit the On-Line Expo to view and purchase products and services of interest and to qualify for door prizes, drawings and raffles, suggests Peckham. "The Expo will have special navigation and with a simple click attendees will be at the booth of their choice! Booths will be open 24 hours a day during the event."

Peckham says the online convention and exposition is a good way for associations to generate non-dues income.

"The St. Louis Association has dedicated leadership and a great staff - they are equally excited about this ground breaking event," says Peckham. "This gives them a chance to reach out way beyond the regular percentage of members who currently attend live events and enhance their image as an even more proactive provider of cutting-edge member services."

Other benefits include no cost to the association to set up a customized and branded convention and expo, as the costs are funded by sponsors and vendors. In addition, the patent-pending process of customization requires very little association staff time.

"We will be announcing our Association Virtual Convention Program shortly," says Peckham.

Published: August 16, 2004

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