Real Estate Bar Camp - Wow and Wow

I first heard the term "RE BarCamp" a couple of years ago. I didn't realize just how powerful and exceptional attending something like this could be. Then I volunteered for Tucson's first Bar Camp which was last Friday, October 28. I learned how it could impact a person's understanding and implementation of social media.

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For those of you who haven't been to a BarCamp, let me explain what it is. This is a day long 'un-conference' for real estate agents, title and escrow agents, inspectors, loan officers....you name it. If you are associated with real estate, this is for you.

There aren't classes (for the most part), there are discussions lead by industry leaders. The sessions are designed to be open discussions for all participants looking to learn more about a particular topic. It isn't 'you sit in your seat and listen to one person'. This is 'put your chairs in a circle and learn from those around you.'

Some of us did 'lead' the discussion - I taught a class in the first hour, Social Media for Beginners and my room was packed. The goal of my 'class' was to get agents who haven't played in social media up to speed with the terms and websites they'd be hearing about during the day. I'm happy to say it was a good idea.

Sessions included:

Facebook
QR Codes
iPads
Android or iPhone?
Zillow, Trulia and more
Blogging for Beginners
What is WordPress

and more.

The big highlight for us was having our Real Estate Commissioner, Judy Lowe on hand to introduce the state's new social media regulations. (I was doing my class so I couldn't sit in on that one.) The Commissioner even stayed around and attended other classes. What a nice boost for us to have her there!

All in all, it was an amazing day. The final attendance numbers aren't in but we're guesstimating about 180 to 200 were there. I think we did pretty darn good for our first one.

The organizing committee learned a lot from this year - what to keep, what to change, what to improve, what to dump and never do again - and plans are in place for next year's event. (Mark October 12th on your calendar.)

BarCamps are held all across the country and there are many scheduled for the rest of the year. Take a peek at the main website and see what's coming up near you. If you've never been, YOU NEED TO GO!!!