For many, “Pressing the Flesh” (talking with potential clients/competitors/vendors/media/etc) is the most valuable part of any conference, and for better or worse, the most valuable part of my day yesterday was spent connecting up with others.
I can’t say that any of the presentations I attended yesterday were particularly interesting (i.e. worth blogging about) including the one that I participated on as a panelist. Then again, I was really the wrong person to be speaking on a lead conversion panel as my contribution to the 2-hour discussion was about 5 minutes where I stated my experience was that blogging provides leads that are easier to convert than typical internet leads because you’ve already built up a relationship with the person when the contact you. Beyond that, I couldn’t offer much to the discussion, so the two hours were dominated by the panel’s sponsor discussing their (very cool) product. All things considered, I’ve met tons of people from Top Producer who would have done a much better job than me speaking about the ways that agents are using internet tools to convert leads. It’s too bad none of them were asked to be on the panel (especially since their top marketer product was nominated for an Innovation Award).
I’m always interested in controversy and being relatively new to the industry, I’ve found it interesting the extent to which major industry players boycott these conferences because of the way that Brad Inman has been known to push his own agenda. While pressing the flesh at the conference has been very interesting (and almost definitely a valuable long-term experience), I’m left with the strange feeling that I’m taking part in a massive dance orchestrated by Brad.
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I must agree with Dustin here. The Show was a great place to “Connect”. We met many potential partners and interested MLS organization, brokers and agents.
Although i did think some of the presentations and discussions were more than interesting. There was a nice debate in the session on the “NEW MLS”. As one attendee stated where else could you find technology innovators, MLS organization leaders and certain lawyers who have sued many MLS organizations all in the same room. The moderators were not great and the discussions were heated. 🙂
There was much talk about listing synidcation in many sessions.
I thought it was interesting that there are so many portals now and I think it will be difficult for brokers ot manage all these feeds. So here is where ill plug our company, SubmitYourListings.com. We manage the feeds, you get the leads. We perform MLS compliant listing synidcation on behalf of brokers and agents. We make it real easy for willing brokers and agents to have their listings on all these new and exciting portals.
I have to disagree with your comments, Dustin, in particular your comment on large brokers boycotting the Connect conference. I am a large broker (5,000 agents, 136 offices) and have been attending the conference for the past 10 years. I can assure you that all of the major national brands are represented as well as the large regional independent brokers. This is one of the annual opportunities for us to meet with each other and our strategic partners – behind the scenes and in the sessions. You would be surprised at the dealmaking that takes place the last week of July each year in San Francisco. Where else can you get VC’s, startups, national players and technology giants together in one room? I am sure Brad Inman has better things to do than push some secret agenda. We are just thankful he has the ability to put together an interesting and meaningful conference each year.
This year’s Connect was the best Inman event to date. Much of that is due to the fact that the industry is getting much more interesting and exciting. It was good to meet you Dustin.
I thought Michael Arrington’s presentation to kick off the event was great (especially the BlueRoof exchange that took place with the MLS), and I really liked some of the new technology that is coming into the industry- the booths were more interesting this year.
I thought Rich Barton’s comments about what he’s learned were good too.
After a email conversation with Brad regarding this post, I’ve come to the realization that I was a bit too harsh…
I really did have a good time, and while I think there was a substantial amount of fluff in some of the presentations, I definitely learned a lot! Not only that but the seminars I did attend have led to numerous fun, engaging and interesting conversations. (For some reason people seem to feel much better responding to my post via email… hmm?)
After a email conversation with Brad regarding this post, I’ve come to the realization that I was a bit too harsh…
I really did have a good time, and while I think there was a substantial amount of fluff in some of the presentations, I definitely learned a lot! Not only that but the seminars I did attend have led to numerous fun, engaging and interesting conversations. (For some reason people seem to feel much better responding to my post via email… hmm?)
Greg,
It was great to meet both you and Trisha! Keep up the great work! And watch out for the SLC MLS… they’re onto you now! 😉
Greg,
It was great to meet both you and Trisha! Keep up the great work! And watch out for the SLC MLS… they’re onto you now! 😉