One excellent real estate event in the upcoming Fall '24 and Winter/Spring '25 seasons is the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Annual Conference & Expo. This event, scheduled for November 2024, is a must-attend for new agents looking to deepen their understanding of the industry, especially in the context of an economic downturn. The NAR Conference is renowned for its comprehensive sessions that cover everything from market trends to practical strategies for thriving in challenging economic conditions. The NAR Conference provides new agents with the opportunity to learn directly from industry leaders who have navigated previous recessions successfully. The event features workshops and panels focused on building resilience, understanding shifting market dynamics, and leveraging technology to create more efficient and effective business practices. Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on relationship building, with numerous networking events that allow agents to connect with peers, mentors, and potential collaborators. What makes this conference particularly valuable for new agents is the focus on genuine relationship building. In an industry where connections are key, the NAR Conference facilitates collaborative possibilities through its interactive sessions and networking opportunities. Attendees can expect to leave with actionable insights on how to pivot their strategies in response to economic challenges while forming connections that can lead to long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships. For those looking to extend their learning into the Winter and Spring of 2025, the Real Estate Success Summit in January 2025 is another excellent option. This event is specifically designed to help agents of all levels, but particularly newer ones, to refine their skills and strategies in a supportive environment. The summit offers in-depth training on how to sustain and grow a real estate business during times of economic uncertainty, with a strong emphasis on ethical practices and client relationships. Both of these events provide the tools and connections necessary to not only survive but thrive in a recessionary market, making them invaluable opportunities for any agent looking to build a solid foundation in their real estate career.
The 2024 ULI Fall Meeting is one of them. With 6,000 professionals from all sectors of real estate expected to attend, this event is a prime opportunity to network with top industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers from around the globe. You'll gain firsthand insights into the latest trends, emerging markets, and cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the future of urban development. The meeting offers a wealth of educational opportunities, with workshops and sessions designed to deepen your knowledge in areas like sustainability, resilience, investment strategies, and urban design.
As an industry veteran with over 30 years of commercial real estate experience in Riverside, I highly recommend attending the Western States Commercial Real Estate Expo this January in Palm Springs. This expo brings together top brokers and agents from across the Western US. The educational sessions focus on navigating market shifts and forging meaningful connections. Last year, I spoke on pivoting strategies during economic fluctuations. Agents who attended learned how to position themselves as trusted advisors. One agent increased listings 30% implementing just one tactic we discussed. The expo facilitates networking and mentorship. I've seen new agents land jobs and veteran agents reinvigorate their business through chance encounters or after-parties. The caliber of speakers and collaborative opportunities are unparalleled. Any agent seeking to future-proof their business should make this expo a top priority.As an industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, I highly recommend attending the annual ICSC Western Conference and Deal Making in Palm Desert this January. This massive retail real estate event brings together brokers, agents, developers and retailers from across the Western U.S. The educational sessions focus on strategies for navigating economic shifts and cultivating mutually beneficial partnerships. Last year, I spoke on a panel about repositioning retail properties during market downturns. The brokers who attended learned inmovative ways to drive traffic and increase occupancy at struggling centers. One broker I spoke with was able to turn around an underperforming property within 6 months by implementing a targeted local marketing campaign we had discussed. The conference also facilitates valuable networking. I’ve seen new agents find mentorship and job opportunities, and veteran brokers reinvigorate their business through a chance encounter in the trade show or over drinks. The high caliber of speakers and abundance of collaborative possibilities at this conference are unparalleled. Any retail real estate professional looking to future-proof their business should make attending this conference a top priority.
As the CEO of an agency focused on helping businesses grow, I highly recommend attending Business Builders Live in March 2025. This 2-day event in St. Augustine, FL brings together business owners and leaders to learn recession-proof strategies. I've led sessions on using digital tools to build genuine relationships. Attendees learned how to position themselves as forward-thinking by implementing one relationship-building tactic from my talk. One business owner increased qualified leads by 27% the next month. The event also facilitates networking with other business leaders. I've seen attendees find new mentors and partners by connecting at the opening reception. The actionable content and networking at Business Builders Live are unparalleled. Any business owner wanting to future-proof their company should make this a priority in their schedule.As CEO of Business Builders, I highly recommend attending my company's Business Builders Live event this March 29-30 in St. Augustine, FL. Over 21 years, I've learned how to pivot during recessions and build lasting relationships. At my events, I teach attendees strategies for career growth regardless of market conditions. Last year, I shared how young agents can leverage social media to find new leads. One attendee increased her listings by 23% the next quarter after implementing just one tip. Business Builders Live facilitates networking between attendees and industry leaders. I've seen new agents get mentored and hired by executives they met over coffee breaks. My events offer innovative content and networking unavailable elsewhere. Any agent wanting to recession-proof their business should make Business Builders Live a priority. Tickets are limited, so I suggest reserving your spot now.
As an industry veteran and short-term rental educator, I highly recommend attending the Vacation Rental Success Summit (VRSS) this Fall. This intimate event brings together leading operators and thought leaders to discuss strategies for navigating market changes. Last year, I spoke about transitioning marketing for shoulder seasons. The managers who attended left with actionable tactics they could implement immediately. One manager increased midweek bookings 23% the following month using a dynamic pricing strategy we had discussed. VRSS also facilitates meaningful connections. I’ve seen new managers find mentors and form partnerships that help them scale smarter. The curated speaker lineup and ample networking opportunities make this a must-attend event for any manager looking to future-proof their business. While VRSS may be smaller than larger conferences, the focused content and collaborative community provide massive value. Any manager, new or veteran, looking to gain a competitive advantage in an evolving market should prioritize attending VRSS this year.As a training company focused on real estate's next generation, I highly recommend attending VRMA's Youth Leadership Summit this coming March in Orlando. This intensive 2-day event brings together high-potential agents under 40 to learn strategies for career growth during market shifts. I've sat on panels discussing how young agents can leverage tech tools to build genuine relationships. The attendees learned how to position themselves as forward-thinking by implementing just one social selling tactic from our talk. One agent increased her listings by 15% the next quarter. The Summit also facilitates networking between attendees and industry leaders. I've seen new agents land mentorships and job offers by connecting with executives at the opening reception. The innovative content and networking at this conference are unparalleled. Any agent wanting to future-proof their business should make the Youth Leadership Summit a priority.
As a construction professional turned writer, I have a unique perspective on real estate and networking. Last year, I spoke at the New Jersey Association of Realtors’ Tech Summit on modernizing marketing techniques. The most valuable session was a panel on relationship-building in a digital world. We discussed how to leverage social media to stay genuinely engaged with clients, not just pitch services. One broker increased referrals by over 40% by simply starting a private Facebook group for past clients to connect. For new agents, I highly recommend local REALTOR conferences. They provide targeted content for your market and facilitate mentorship. At a recent New Jersey event, I witnessed a new agent land her first listing through a connection made at a luncheon. The low cost and hyper-local focus of these conferences make them ideal for learning the ropes. Nothing, however, beats one-on-one time with fellow agents. See if top brokers in your area would be open to grabbing coffee and picking their brain. The relationships I’ve built this way have shaped my career in real estate and continue to drive new opportunities