Conference Program

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Wednesday, January 7


Wednesday, January 7, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Meet the Leaders: Network with Leaders and Innovators from Around the World

and more...

MAIN CONFERENCE

Wednesday, January 7, 2:30 pm – 2:45 pm
Real Estate 2009: What's Next for Real Estate?
The real estate market is undergoing a fundamental transformation. What will the market and the industry look like over the coming years.

Wednesday, January 7, 2:45 pm – 3:15 pm
How the Internet Culture is Changing the U.S.
A conversation with Craig Newmark.

Craig Newmark

Wednesday, January 7, 3:15 pm – 3:45 pm
Finding A Fix For the Housing Market.
We're still searching for solutions to the housing market. What is it going to take to turn things around?

  • Robert Shiller, Co-founder of MacroMarkets LLC, Co-creator of the Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, and Professor of Economics, Yale University

Robert Shiller

Wednesday, January 7, 3:45 pm – 4:30 pm
Bulls vs. Bears: The Great Housing Market Collapse.
2008 was a abyssmal year for real estate. Is 2009 going to be any better? Hear from these leading market watchers.

  • Carter Murdoch, SVP, Marketing and Compliance Executive, Bank of America
  • Barry Ritholtz , Chief Market Strategist, Ritholtz Research & CEO; Director of Equity Research, Fusion IQ
  • Noah Rosenblatt, Founder, UrbanDigs.com
  • Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist and Senior VP of Research, National Association of REALTORS

Wednesday, January 7, 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
What to Expect from the Financial Markets in 2009.
With the economy in a tailspin, what does the future hold? An update from Wall Street and what it means for Main Street.

Andrew Sorkin

Wednesday, January 7, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Cocktails@Connect
Wrap up the first day with free cocktails and time with colleagues and the industry elite at this informal gathering on the exhibit floor. Bring plenty of business cards and spend time socializing as you wind down or gear up for the night!

Thursday, January 8


MAIN CONFERENCE

Thursday, January 8, 8:30 am – 9:00 am
A New Look MLS - What's the MLS of the Future Going to Look Like?
Hear from 3 leaders debate the future of the MLS - is it to collaborate, consolidate or go straight to consumers.

Thursday, January 8, 9:00 am – 9:15 am
The Evolution of Media: A New World Beckons
A fractured media landscape has given new platforms to professionals. Find out what it means for Realtors and brokers in this in-depth conversation.

Thursday, January 8, 9:15 am – 10:00 am
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. What Does the Future Hold for the Brokerage, Title and Lending industries.
Old business models lie by the roadside of a struggling market. Hear new ways the industry can resuscitate their businesses to face the new challenges ahead.

Thursday, January 8, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
Building Your Personal Brand Online

Gary Vaynerchuk

Thursday, January 8, 10:30 am – 11:15 am
New Kids (and Ideas) on the Block: Innovators from Around the World
Listen to entrepreneurs explain how their ideas are going to change real estate in this fast-paced, exciting session.

Thursday, January 8, 11:15 am – 11:25 am
25 Web Sites To Help You Find Customers and Save Money in Downturn

Thursday, January 8, 11:25 am – 12:00 pm
The Hottest Real Estate Companies in the World: Tomorrow's Real Estate Brokerage, Today.
Who's breaking the mold right now? What tactics are they using to truly stand out on the world stage? Take away inspiration and ideas from some real global ground breakers.

Thursday, January 8, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Meet the Leaders: Network with Leaders and Innovators from Around the World

and more...

Thursday, January 8, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Exhibit Hall Open

INNOVATION TRACKS

Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Savvy Agent/Broker Track: New Tactics to Thrive in a New World

Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
1. New Ways to Market Homes on the Web
Learn the secrets to syndication to bring new eyeballs to your listings and find new buyers from across the country and around the world.

Moderated by Bernice Ross, CEO, RealEstateCoach.

Thursday, January 8, 2:55 pm – 3:40 pm
2. Build a World Class Agent Web Site
Go beyond brochure-ware. Learn top-notch internet marketing tactics on what consumers want to find on your agent web site.

Moderated by Bernice Ross, CEO, RealEstateCoach.

Thursday, January 8, 3:50 pm – 4:35 pm
3. Surviving Your First Down Market
Markets are cyclical and will eventually bounce back. Until they do however, you need to learn the strategies it takes to survive. Hear from 4 industry veterans on what it takes to survive, thrive and stay alive.

Moderated by Kris Berg, Broker Associate, Prudential California Realty.

Thursday, January 8, 4:35 pm – 5:00 pm
4.
Breaking the News: How to Deal with the Media During a Downturn.
Breakout discussion -- Can agents use social media to turn bad press around? Participate with the experts, get your views across, ask questions and debate the issues.

Moderated by Kris Berg, Broker Associate, Prudential California Realty

  • Peter Mitham, Author, Real Estate Investing for Canadians for Dummies

Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
New Business Track: Capitalizing on New Opportunities

Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
1. Clearing the Decks: Dealing With Foreclosures in your Market
Hear how you can get more business by helping buyers and sellers work with short sales, REOs and bank owned properties.

Moderated by Alison Rogers, Licensed Salesperson and Author of Diary of a Real Estate Rookie.

Thursday, January 8, 2:55 pm – 3:40 pm
2. The Hottest Opportunities in International Real Estate
Tap into the international second home market, learn how to market to baby boomers, and get practical tips to take your business global.

Moderated by Alison Rogers.

Thursday, January 8, 3:50 pm – 4:35 pm
3. Forming Global Partnerships and Earn Referral Business
Understand how to form partnerships and grow your business using transnational referrals, education, and technology. Learn who can you trust, understand the legal issues and make 1 plus 1 = 3.

Moderated by Alison Rogers.

Thursday, January 8, 4:35 pm – 5:00 pm
4. Going Global: What are International Buyers and Sellers Looking For?

Breakout Discussion -- Shared experiences, tips, tricks and strategies on working with overseas buyers. Participate with the experts, get your views across, ask questions and debate the issues. 

Moderated by Miriam M. Lowe and David Michonski.

Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Broker/Owner Breakout: Building The Lean, Mean and Profitable Real Estate Brokerage of the Future
(By invitation only) CLICK HERE to request invitation information.

Sponsored by:

Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate

 

 

 

Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
1. Nail Your Brokerage Web Site -- Getting It Right on the Internet
Your website desperately needs an update or tear down. But you’re locked into a relationship with a legacy vendor, don’t know whether to buy or build, and are confused by the endless stream of Web 2.0 apps and APIs. Hear from brokers who made the right changes in a case study session packed with practical takeaways.

Moderated by Marc Davison, Partner, 1000Watt Consulting.

  • James Cahill, Executive Vice President/Chief Information & Technology Officer at Terra Holdings, LLC
  • Philip Kiracofe, Chief Technologist, Coldwell Banker Previews International
  • Ashfaq Munshi, Founder & CEO, Terabitz, Inc.
  • Matthew Shadbolt, Director of Internet Marketing, The Corcoran Group

Thursday, January 8, 2:55 pm – 3:40 pm
2. Scrub Your P&L
The broker business model is a mess. Companies are bleeding red. It’s time to rethink everything. Join 3 tough-as-nails brokers as they dissect a brokerage P&L and identify ideas and savings you can take home.

Moderated by Brian Boero, Partner, 1000Watt Consulting.

Thursday, January 8, 3:50 pm – 4:35 pm
3. Seize New Markets
32% of agents did a deal with an overseas client in 2007. Within 20 years, 40% of home buyers will be Hispanic. Gen X and Gen Y buyers are eying property more than ever before. A group of leading thinkers will tell you how you can leap on these new opportunities and other in order to keep your business afloat.

Moderated by Brian Boero, Partner, 1000Watt Consulting.

Thursday, January 8, 4:35 pm – 5:00 pm

4. Building the Brokerage of the Future
Breakout Discussion -- A working session to draft a new blueprint for a brokerage business. Participate with the experts, get your views across, ask questions and debate the issues.

Moderated by Brian Boero, Marc Davison and Sherry Chris 

Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
MLS Track: Revitalizing the MLS

Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
1. Should Your MLS Be in Front of Consumers?
What can an MLS do in a down market to help its members? Is building a public facing website the answer? Is it worth the investment but what about the tradeoffs? Hear from some MLSs have chosen to build world class consumer facing web sites and from the venture funded search sites who love to have the listings too.

Moderated by Michael Wurzer, President & CEO, FBS Data Systems.

Thursday, January 8, 2:55 pm – 3:40 pm
2. MLS Change: Collaboration or Consolidation?
A lively debate between industry leaders on the pros and cons of working together or standing alone. Who's should be in the driver's seat as we move towards regionalization? And which approach serves members best?

Moderated by Michael Wurzer.

Thursday, January 8, 3:50 pm – 4:35 pm
3. MLS 2014: 5 things to do right now to get ready
Top visionaries share the 5 things you must be aware of to best position your MLS for the next 5 years.

Moderated by Victor Lund, Partner, WAV Group.

Thursday, January 8, 4:35 pm – 5:00 pm
4. Drafting a
MLS Bill of Rights: What Should Members Expect from Their MLS
Breakout Discussion -- What should the MLS of the future provide its members? Participate with the experts, get your views across, ask questions and debate the issues.

Moderated by Michael Wurzer and Cameron Paine.

Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Technology Breakout: Building a Web Site or Service That Could Change the World

Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
1. Wake Up. Go Mobile.
Two billion plus handsets in use worldwide. Apple's iPhone launch put millions of smartphones in the hands of global citizens. This panel will look at how innovators around the globe are using the mobile web to connect with clients, customers and consumers.

Moderated by Dustin Luther, Founder, 4Realz Consulting.

Thursday, January 8, 2:55 pm – 3:40 pm
2. Down and Dirty Analytics
Understanding who your web visitors are and where they're coming from is key to delivering a successful user experience.

Moderated by Dustin Luther, Founder, 4Realz Consulting.

Thursday, January 8, 3:50 pm – 4:35 pm
3. What's Next for Real Estate Search?
Is mapping old news? Find out how some of the industry leaders are pushing forward new innovations in the real estate search experience.

Moderated by Simon Baker, CEO of Property Portal Watch.

Thursday, January 8, 4:35 pm – 5:00 pm
4. Go Beyond PPC - Leveraging Your Internal Resources to Build Real Search Engine Optimization.
Breakout Discussion -- The dark arts of getting good search engine placement need not be so difficult. Participate with the experts, get your views across, ask questions and debate the issues.

Moderated by Ashfaq Munshi and Joel Burslem.

Friday, January 9


MAIN CONFERENCE


Friday, January 9, 9:00 am – 9:45 am
Global Real Estate Update — What's Happening Around the World?
Join global market experts to get up to speed on the state of global real estate in this fast-paced, exciting session.

Friday, January 9, 9:45 am – 10:30 am
Steering Your Business through a Downturn
Hear from America's top venture capitalists, in this frank conversation, on what their outlook is now that the whole world has changed.

Friday, January 9, 10:30 am - 10:45 am
25 Global Real Estate Web Sites to Keep Your Eyes On
There are many low-cost places to market your listings around the world, the lightning-quick presentation will tell you where.

Friday, January 9, 10:45 am – 11:15 am
New Ways to Go Global
Listen to success stories from some of the nation's top brokers how they reached out to the world to find buyers for their properties.

Friday, January 9, 11:15 am – 11:45 am
Crunching the Numbers To Find the Turnaround

What do national statistics mean to your local market? This panel of experts will explain to you how you can make sense of all the numbers.

Friday, January 9, 11:45 am – 12:00 pm
What Have We Learned

Friday, January 9, 12:00 pm
Program Ends