I'm just settling back into my home and surroundings in Atlanta from my trip to Cary North Carolina where I attended my first Rebar camp (Real Estate BarCamp) REBCRDU at the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill NC Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors. It was a 9-4 event, and the socializing started weeks ahead of time online and on Twitter and FaceBook. From Atlanta it was about a 5 hour drive, the weather was great, and my wife Ellen accompanied me. It was a great trip. Once e arrived and checked in we attended the Pre Event - Beer with Bloggers where we had a chance to have some finger foods, and mingle a little with the crowd. I met a lot of old friends and made some new ones. We even got a chance to see a new form of Karaoke called "PowerPoint Karaoke!" It was very novel exercise in thinking on your feet, and speaking impromptu as the slide show progressed. Our own Thom Abbot from Atlanta held his own. He was a braver man than I was. Also in attendance from Atlanta was Lane Bailey, Kathy Drewan, and Patty Keller. They were smart, they car pooled up to Cary. At the Beer with Bloggers event I also had a chance to see Debe Maxwell, Susan Blackmon, and Connie Harvey from Nashville. There were too many people and simply not enough time to mention all. It was a great event.
I participated in Fridays session as a Thought Leader did a session entitled "Strategizing Internet Profit with Website & Real Estate Blogging" It went well, and I revamped the presentation to allow for 25 minutes presentation and 20 minutes of exchange. It was a basics session that shared my fundamentals of running a successful real estate web business. I thought it went well.
I got a chance to meet a lot of other Active Rainer's and had a few moments to talk and meet some new friends. I met Eleanor Thorne the events organizer, and her husband of 30 years. Eleanor was the person that invited me to do a session. I greatly appreciate that opportunity. On Friday, I also had a chance to meet Penny Hull, she is a dynamo for Internet marketing for Stanton Homes in the Triangle NC area. I'm very impressed with the quality of her posts. Just before the session began, I was fortunate enough to get a few moments to meet Brad and Bobby Carroll of Danko Marketing, who is one of the most talented of web designers I know. They do an incredible job designing custom websites, blogs, and offer substance instead of fluff! I had a chance to talk to Jeremy Blanton... a very, very busy man! I can't wait until my next event. I am really looking forward to it. Going to REBAR Camp was a fun thing!
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Hi Jim,
Congrats on taking the time to make the event and for taking on the role of thought leader. Good photos.
Dorie Dillard: Canyon Creek & NW Austin Living (Coldwell Banker United) Thank you. I am grateful that I was asked to particpate. What a great group!
Jim, It really was a fun and engaging event. It was good to see you. Sorry we didn't get time to talk more. I hope your wife, Ellen, enjoyed it. Will probably see you in Atlanta at RETech South next March, if not before.
Connie Harvey Realtor Nashville TN Real Estate (Prudential Woodmont Realty) Connie it ws great seeing you! We had a great time, and I was sorry it wasn't enough to make the rounds and get to really speak. We had to head out mid afternoon for an engagement.
Hope you had a great time. Anytime we can meet and learn from you about the internet and blogging is a treat for us all. Say Hi to Ellen.
Kay Van Kampen, CDPE, Broker, Springfield Missouri Real Estate (RE/MAX Solutions) Thank you Kay, will do! We had a great time, and I feel I learned an awful lot too!
Jim:
I never went to one. It looks very interesting. I suppose they are like a mini convention?
Richard
Richard Stabile Bergen County New Homes Builder Realtor (REMAX real estate associates) I think it is a very different structure, and is not as defined as similar technology events I've spoken at. I think it was very informative, and I sat in on several very good sessions.
I just got back from REBar Camp in San Diego. Will post about it tomorrow. Met Brad Andersohn, which was a pleasure. Also thought that Brad and Bob from Danko are amazing. They know their stuff. I wish I had met them before I spent the money on the product I have now. But am going to ask them to look at it. These events are really worthwhile.
Hi Jim...sounds like the place to be and you went, I went to Rain Camp in Seattle in September, 250 attendees there, that was great too. I like the idea of networking with Fellow Realtors we have lots to share.
Cheers
Jane Peters Los Angeles Living, Los Angeles Homes (BRC Realty Group) That is why I love to attend these things. I really enjoy even a few moments of conversation with them. For me, it turns the lights on!
Victoria Oak Bay Realtor Fred Carver 250-598-2963 for Victoria Oak Bay Homes (Re/Max Camosun Oak Bay & Surrounding Area Real Estate) They are great. Are you going to REMAX convention in March? I understand the bad this year's convention is "THE BEACH BOYS!"
Jim-
Sorry I missed it, but I will see you in Atlanta
Jim Wood Nashville Real Estate (Crye-Leike Realtors, Inc.) That will be great. I do not know if I will be invited.
I was sorry to have missed your session due to my Posterous session. I'm sure I could learn some great things from you. Hope to see you at RETS.
Susie Blackmon-Maggie Valley Waynesville Horse Person/NC Broker/Realtor (Susie Blackmon LLC) No problem. It seems as if there is so much to do and too little time. Susie, hopefully I will be asked to speak there. I really enjoyed it last year.
Jim- Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. It's neat to hear about events and what take aways attendees have from them.
Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing Consultant (Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision) YOu are more than welcome. It was a great crowd and the topics were incredible.