The NAR convention in Las Vegas was an experience of deafening ‘white noise’. Not quite sure how many people attended the event but as I walked through the Venetian, meandering my way to The Sands Expo Hall, I passed at least 5000 individuals wearing neck passes tagged with ribbons that demonstrated NAR’s continued affinity with acronymia.
The exhibit hall reminded me more of a State Fair rather than a convention for real estate professionals. I swear I saw an exhibit with a guy demonstrating how his product could get ’stains out of anything’. At least 5 booths had a Nintendo Wii to play with. One of the more popular exhibits was selling ‘gold by the inch’ and fake pearls (I’m dead serious, ask Dan Green).
My purpose for being there was to chat up some folks at Incredible Agents booth as a ‘blogger’ but ended up having a bunch of one on one convo’s with people from the greater blogosphere and Inman TV. Were all minor celebrities to each other. I stuck around for about 2 hrs then went back to my hotel room for a quick meal and nap before heading to The Palms for Active Rains swanky soiree in a private suite.
Things got real fuzzy after about an hour or so in Da Crib (open bar…*ugh*). Many thanks to the guys and gals at Active Rain for a great time and a bangin hangover. I’ve got pictures (boy do I have pictures) but they’re on my wifes camera. She’s in North Carolina and I’m in Dallas, so probably won’t be able to post them until after T-Giving. Getting her to understand how to quickly download them and email to me would probably end up with her hanging up on me with no pix sent…so marital logic says to just wait.
I enjoyed meeting each and every person, in person...
A quick reflection on the trip:
Anyone who spent money on an exhibit probably won’t see a positive ROI. Besides the ‘gold by the inch’ and Incredible Agents booth, nothing else really stuck out to me.
‘Blogging’ is still a pretty ambiguous novelty to most Realtors, most think its only about writing articles. Incredible Agent’s product encompasses about 10 other exhibitors products for a fraction of the cost and is exponentially easier to integrate, but I digress.
Mike Simonsen is a party animal...If you see him at one of these events, be careful or you too will get sucked into and spat out of oblivion :)
Good postings and a good reminder of these events - I hate going to these things and have all these people pushing things that have nothing to do with the business.. Congrats on working your way through all that stuff.
@ Vincent...I was looking for the cotton candy but couldn't find any :)
@ John...That floor had to contain the most expensive real estate in the world...
@ Laura...That is true, you pimp the hat far better than me ;)
It was nice meeting you Jeff. You really are a very nice guy.
P.S. I agree about the convention but you forgot to mention the bowling.
Thx Linda...don't tell too many people that though...you'll ruin my rep ;)
Jeff,
You promised pictures by tonight! I suppose your dog ate your homework, too?
We want pictures, we want pictures, we want pictures!
Lucky :)
Jeff,
Thanks for the article and summary - like Lucky I'm waiting for pictures. I'm adding Lucky's pix to the Week In Review and would like to add your post too - but I need Pictures too!!
X...Y...Here...
I am trying to get past 'martial logic'. I am LMAO about that :)
Please tell me that deep down you know there's no such thing. LOL.
P.S. NAR Conventions always remind me of a 'flea market' for Realtors. Did I say that out loud? :)
TLW...ROAR!
TLW,
Say what? I didn't hear a thing.
Lucky :)
Jeff-
I went to a convention, as a YOUNG and eager rookie about 12, wow-how-can-I-possibly-be-that-old-?-!-#-*-!, years ago and the one thing that I STILL remember was the literally, line-out-the-door booth that boasted "Free bone density screenings".
Free gold by the foot has nothin' on that!
Live good. Be happy.
-Mimi