Are you considering attending a real estate conference in the upcoming year? If you haven't given it much thought, now is the perfect time to consider it. Professional development and networking are crucial for success in any industry, and the real estate sector is no exception. Conferences provide a dedicated space for entrepreneurs to focus on their personal and professional growth, free from the distractions of everyday life. In this article, we will explore some of the best real estate conferences that have the potential to significantly impact your growth trajectory.
Caption: Don't miss out on the best real estate conferences in 2019.
Why Attend a Real Estate Conference?
Attending a real estate conference offers professionals the opportunity to stay updated with the latest industry trends and technologies in just a few days. These conferences are also a great platform to meet like-minded individuals who are open to making connections. Expanding your network can lead to valuable opportunities, such as striking new deals, collaborating on projects, or securing investment capital. Furthermore, many conference attendees come away feeling reenergized and inspired, ready to take their businesses to new heights. If this sounds appealing, consider attending one of the following top real estate conferences in the nation:
National Association Of Realtors Conference And Expo
Known as the largest annual event in the industry, the National Association of Realtors Conference and Expo brings together approximately 20,000 real estate professionals from over 60 countries. This four-day event includes educational sessions, NAR governance meetings, a vendor exposition, and special events.
At this conference, you can expect to learn from over 100 educational sessions covering various topics, including economic trends and smart home technologies. The conference also features an exposition with 400 vendors, presentations, product demonstrations, and networking activities.
Real Estate Ignite
Real Estate Ignite, hosted by FortuneBuilders, is hailed as one of the best real estate conferences catering to today's investors. Held annually in Las Vegas, this three-day 'super-conference' aims to ignite participants' passion for real estate. The agenda includes over 60 educational sessions covering investment strategies, marketing techniques, and business systems. Note that attendance requires being a current student of the FortuneBuilders real estate training program.
This conference stands out as an investor-centric event that also emphasizes networking. Sessions are organized by track, allowing attendees to focus on specific areas of their real estate business. Each track offers sessions tailored to different experience levels, ensuring valuable content for all participants.
Single Family Rental Investment Forum
Hosted by the Information Management Network, the Single Family Rental Investment Forum is a perfect gathering place for anyone involved in the rental market. This relatively new conference focuses on single-family investment properties and attracts real estate investment trusts (REITs), funds, aggregators, note buyers, and fix-and-flippers. Attendees can expect to learn about managing rental portfolios, financing fix-and-flips, and finding distressed properties.
This event stands out for its narrow yet deep focus on rental property investing. Alongside a broad array of educational sessions, the conference features small group workshops organized by profession. Whether you're interested in passive income, fix-and-flip, buy-and-hold, or REIT investing, this conference is an excellent starting point.
Inman Connect
Inman Connect, organized by Inman, a highly regarded real estate news platform, offers an innovative and forward-thinking networking conference. With an estimated attendance of over 4,000 professionals from across the real estate landscape, this conference gathers the industry's most forward-thinking leaders. The lineup of speakers includes high-profile representatives from Zillow, Opendoor, CNN, New York Times, Fortune Magazine, and the president of the National Association of Realtors.
Inman Connect spans nearly five days and provides a wealth of educational content and networking opportunities. The conference is organized into tracks based on interest groups, covering topics from social media strategy to investing technology. With its forward-thinking approach, Inman Connect promises to inspire attendees to think outside the box.
Real Estate Women’s Forum
The Real Estate Women's Forum aims to advance female empowerment and leadership in the real estate industry. This conference consists of three regional events per year, featuring an all-female speaking faculty and attracting over 3,000 professionals.
This forum is ideal for female entrepreneurs looking to focus on their professional and personal development in a supportive environment. Attendees can hear from top female executives who offer their perspectives on leadership and empowerment in the real estate industry. The conference addresses personal development topics, including career advancement, breaking down stereotypes, and tackling challenges. It also includes a mentorship program and educational sessions covering property development, operations, technology, and investing.
How to Prepare for Your Next (or First) Real Estate Investing Conference
Now that you have learned about some of the top real estate conferences taking place each year, it's time to plan how to make the most of them. Attending a conference involves an investment of time, money, and effort. Those who attend passively may still have a great time and gain valuable insights. However, those who prepare in advance can maximize the return on their educational investment. Here are some tips to ensure you get the most out of your next real estate education conference:
- Run a background check: Research the speakers and attendees to develop talking points and make a lasting impression when you meet them.
- Practice your elevator pitch: Prepare a quick message that effectively communicates what you do and what you have to offer.
- Customize your schedule: Take advantage of the conference tools to personalize your session schedule and have backup options in case of capacity limitations.
- Order business cards: Trading business cards helps you remember the connections you made. Make sure to order extra cards in advance.
- Remember names: Jot down notes on the back of business cards after each conversation to remember the names and details of people you meet.
- Plan to take notes: Capture important ideas and insights during sessions to ensure you don't forget them.
- Prepare your bag and wardrobe: Dress comfortably and pack essentials like water and snacks to stay focused during the conference.
- Personalize your follow-up: Send personalized emails to your top connections within a week of the conference to further develop relationships.
- Formulate an action plan: Summarize your key takeaways and develop a plan to implement new ideas into your business. Consider forming an accountability group with fellow attendees to stay on track.
In Conclusion
Attending real estate conferences can be a transformative experience that invigorates your approach to the business. Expanding your network can create new opportunities that significantly boost your bottom line. To make the most of these conferences, it's essential to plan ahead. Strategize how to create meaningful connections and develop a game plan for applying new ideas to your business. Maximize the return on your educational investment by being proactive and taking advantage of the opportunities these conferences offer.
If you're ready to take advantage of current real estate opportunities, click the banner below to join a 90-minute online training class and start learning how to invest in today's market!
