The week of February 1st through February 4th, 2010, the New York Association of Realtors held it’s winter meetings in Albany, NY at the Desmond Hotel.

During the week, the Chair of the Technology Forum organized a workshop, very much like a Real Estate Barcamp to help educate the members on different areas of Social Media and technology.  I was asked to participate in the area of Social Media for the agent.

The Technology Forum was under the Moderation of Bettie Meinel and the Round Table Discussion Leaders were:

Steve Babbitt, Broker Associate with ReMax Realty Group and 2010 President-elect of the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors
Topic: Social Networking – Agent’s perspective

John Reinhardt, Fillmore Real Estate President/CEO and 2010 President of the Brooklyn Board of Realtors
Topic: Social Networking – Broker’s perspective

Sean Dowling, NYSAR Network Administrator
Topic: Mobility Devices

Austin Moran, NYSAR Director of Information Technology
Topic: Video

Sal Prividera, NYSAR Director of Communications and Marketing
Topic: NYSAR.com

According to Sal Prividera, the feedback from the event was extremely positive and there will be more events like this in the future.

As I was summarizing my thoughts on the sessions to the group at the end, I said to them that they had just attended their first rebarcamp!

For our State Meetings in September in Rye Brook, NY, I plan to help organize and host a rebarcamp.

Next week I will be flying to Washington, DC for the National Association of Realtors Midyear meetings.  This will be my 7^th consecutive year going to these meetings, the first five years, as the New Your State CRS President or officer and the last two years, as an officer with the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors.

My earlier blog referenced the increased focus one gets prior to going to a convention or event and the increase in sales activity that happens.  Each year as I approach these meetings, my business picks up and it gets really crazy, but I go because I have responsibilities and committee work, not to mention the airline tickets and reservations at the hotel that have been paid for.

So what is it? Fun or Learning?

It is actually both!  Each year as May rolls around, I get excited thinking about seeing my Realtor friends across the country in DC and spending some time socializing with them.  But it’s not all fun, to spend time with them is actually networking and building a referral base for future business.

Then of course, there are the meetings and breakout sessions that are instructional and educational!  Some of the nations top Realtors and instructors participate in forums and roundtables to better prepare us for the changes in the marketplace or nuances in the business, as well as challenge us to become better professionals at what we do!

Maybe you can see why the NAR Midyear meetings are on my calendar every year and that they are both Fun and Learning!