Fresh back in Dallas after four days soaking up San Francisco and Inman News’ Real Estate Connect, the industry’s premiere technology conference and networking event.   RealTyger rolled out its technology platform in the Sacramento Room inside the swanky Palace Hotel while panel after panel divulged and dissected most every aspect of the technology’s related to real estate. 

I personally only saw about 10 minutes total of the presentations, which sucks as I think in retrospect.  There was a lot to see and learn, alas there are but so many hours in a day. 

A quick, broad stroke accounting of who I saw and/or met…

Glenn Kelman.  I simply introduced myself, shook his hand, and told him how much I admired him (and Redfin) for being a true Maverick.  He looked confused as he tried to read my name badge, probably in hopes that I was someone of importance, offering up the rare compliment.  Thousands of arrows in the back will do that to a person.

Teresa Boardman is tiny.  Walking through one of the exhibit halls, I was approached by a ~5’ tall lady who introduced herself as Teresa Boardman.  I must’ve made a great first impression, as I blurted out how ‘short’ she was (I’m 6’3”, most people are shorter than me, why I said this to her?  I dunno).  Teresa quickly corrected me by pointing out that she’s little. Anyone who reads Teresa’s work knows of her well-respected and ‘big’ online voice, so a tiny Teresa surprised me.

Dan Green.  More about physical stature…  Dan’s first comment to me was that I was much bigger than he expected, so I guess the whole perception, reality gradient was skewed for others as well.  What does that say about Dan’s perception of me..?  Hmmm.  For the record Dan looks like he’s 23 and I thought he was a waiter…j/k Dan, about the waiter part ;)

Pat Kitano and Kevin Boer.  Partners now in a company called Domus Consulting.  Domus is based on educating the real estate professional about what technology’s are out there and how to effectively use them.  Great service since there is typically a huge communication and acumen chasm between technology and the greater real state industry.  People tend to remember teachers over subjects, being taught by these two guys is sure to be help real estate evolve faster than it would without them. 

Kevin and I briefly discussed a phenomenon called the Two Degrees of Pat Kitano.  Everyone in this space seems to at least know someone who knows Pat.

Todd Carpenter.  Lenderama was the first mortgage blog I ever read…It’s amazing what a little face time will do to make you understand and appreciate someone that you may not always see eye to eye with.  (Brian Brady and I had this experience about 9 months ago, albeit over much more strained conditions). 

Congrats to Mike Simonsen on Altos Research’s Most Innovative Technology award.  Well deserved.  Mike was strutin around like he wasn’t even wearing a boot to heal the stress fracture in his foot

Laurie Manny reminds me of my good friends back in New York.  They have no problem telling me just how they feel…good or bad.  She’s a riot to be around.  Her and Marc Blasi hung out with us in the RealTyger lounge…

Speaking of who didn’t stop by…Joel Burslem, even though he committed to doing so.  Mr. FoREM was holding a mic or hosting a panel every time I saw him, since he now works for Inman, and thus gets a pass.  While at the Tini’s w/ Trulia party I was asked by a few people if I was ‘The FoREM guy’, I told the two guys no and the pretty blond yes.  Thx Joel ☺

Other Inman folks...Alice Myerhoff was a pleasure to meet.  I showed her what RealTyger was about, she showed me that if I registered as a sponsor for Manhattan and next years San Fran Connect before August 31st, I could get 10% off.   Another good hire Brad…

Speaking of Brad Inman, Mary McKnight had me on a mission to get him to dinner and drinks with the RealTyger crew.  Tuesday afternoon I ran across the street to grab a Snapple and Brad was sitting all alone at the corner market…perfect timing.  After asking to join in some festivities with us (on us), he explained his schedule was maxed out. 

Two lessons to be learned here:

1) Brad was very polite and expressed believable excitement over RealTyger, because of which we’ll sponsor The Manhattan Connect. 

2) You shouldn’t wait until 2 hours beforehand to ask the person whose last name is the first name of the conference you’re attending out for dinner and drinks.  

Brad, pencil us in.