If ever there were a time when Realtors need to return to the mothership for debriefing and retraining, it's now. With wide losses in the stock market due to fears that banks will be unable to recoup losses from the subprime market, and will tighten lending further, the real estate market will be more challenged than ever. Time to brush up those technology, people, and business skills!
That may be one reason why the National Association of Realtors is expecting record attendance of more than 30,000 at the 2007 REALTORS Conference & Expo at the Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino, starting tomorrow, November 13 through the 16th in Las Vegas.
The event, titled "No Limits," celebrates NAR's centennial -- 100 years of bringing America "Home." The convention will feature industry experts, lawmakers, federal agency officials and other guests in programs that address the many issues facing today's residential and commercial real estate agents. NAR promises that conference sessions will include the very latest information about home buying and selling trends, economic predictions, public policy developments and environmental issues.
With marketing and communication solutions increasingly centering on the Internet, the NAR's Technology Learning Center (TLC) (a brainstorm from Frank Sibley, senior vice president, Communications Group for the NAR) is not to be missed. Sibley oversees the convention, all NAR publications, and NAR's public affairs and advertising. Education is a major focus of NAR, he has told Realty Times.
In addition to numerous breakout sessions for business tips, an all-star lineup called the "Entrepreneurial Excellence Series" features noted personalities in leadership and marketing, including award-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, author of the best-selling book Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln; advertising author Seth Godin, of Permission Marketing, Unleashing the Ideavirus, Survival Is Not Enough and Purple Cow; legendary college football coach and popular ESPN personality, Lou Holtz, author of Winning Every Day: A Game Plan for Success; and Scott Bedbury, who helped Starbucks reinvent the coffee industry and made Nike a household name with his marketing slogan, "Just Do It."
The Expo starts early this year, opening Tuesday, November 13th with a bang. A record 700 plus exhibitor booths will provide a wide range of business solutions.
A new book, The National Association of Realtors: 100 Years in Celebration of the American Dream, which provides an historical account of the real estate industry over the past 100 years and NAR's involvement in shaping and transforming that industry, will be made available for the first time, and a retrospective video will premiere during Wednesday's general session.
In addition to the educational opportunities, the convention is also planning a lot of marquee names to provide laughter, music and inspiration.
Entertainment icon Bill Cosby heads the list of speakers. Cosby is an educator, comedian and one of the most influential people in America today. Cosby will address conference attendees at the general session on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 4 p.m. in the Venetian Ballroom.
Join Reverend Della Reese for an inspirational breakfast Thursday Nov. 15, 7:00am-9:00am. Reverend Reese is a renowned singer and star of the TV series, "Touched By An Angel."
Boxing legend and Olympian Gold Medalist Sugar Ray Leonard will appear at the NAR booth, #2633, Thursday, November 15 from 1:30-3:30pm, where he will be signing autographs for NAR members.
Ending the convention in style will be this year's featured entertainer -- musician James Taylor, whose 1970s song "Sweet Baby James" made triple platinum. He has had many hits since then, including "Fire and Rain," "You've Got a Friend," and "October Road." Taylor will be performing on Thursday, Nov. 15, 9-10:30pm.
For any Realtor who wants help with business tips, networking opportunities, technology brushups, and more, the NAR's convention in Las Vegas promises No Limits on opportunity.
