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Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager

The Best of NAR 2009 Expo - Real Estate Technology

The Best of NAR 2009 Expo - Real Estate Technology

NAR each year is always packed with great sessions, speakers, topics and presenters.  There's no way to see and do it all!  One of my favorite parts of the Convention is walking around, meeting people in the hallways, hugging old friends and shaking hands with new ones. This year, William Shatner was one of the special guests at NAR, but unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to sign him up on ActiveRain.

My absolute favorite is "cruisin" the EXPO and seeing all the "NEW" stuff that's being displayed.  Many of the tools and services presented will have an affect and impact on the ways business will get done now, and in the future.

To See the more than 375 Booths and vendors that were there, here's an interactive floor-plan you can visit.

NAR always brings back some of the same vendors you see year after year, but I still like to stop by and see them, and how their products have changed or improved. Then there's all the new technology stuff I haven't seen or heard of yet.  When I found a booth or vendor with a name I didn't recognize, or if they that had something I hadn't heard of, I'd ask them, "In a sentence, tell me who you are, what you do, and what does your company provide?"

So if you were unable to make it to NAR 2009 in San Diego this year, I hope you'll take a moment to let me be your eyes, your ears, and your feet at NAR, and enjoy this condensed version of "A Day with Brad at the NAR EXPO" and see a few of the "highlights" that I thought were some of the "Best of the NAR Expo." 

Fujitsu.com * PreListing.com * AlaMode.com * AgentOfficeHQ.com * Txt2Look.com * RealtyPilot.com * TheBoom.com * RealBiz360.com * MarketLeader.com * HomeOnTheTube.com * IDXBroker.com * VisualTour.com * PlanetRE.com * LoneWolf.com * PostYourListings.com * AdWriter.comListHub.net * GoPaperless.com * Closing.com * PreviewFirst.com * ForeclosureRadar.com * RealtyLog.com * RealAgile.com * LoopNet.com * HillsideSoftware.com * Boopsie.com

THE NAR 2009 "RAINCAMP" DRAWING WINNER!

We collected Business Cards and had a drawing at NAR for 2 RainCamp tickets and $100.00 American Express Card and the winner was....drumroll...Tamara Dorris from Sacramento, CA.  Congratulations Tamara, we're looking forward to seeing you at RainCamp.

 

Are You Coming To NAR This Weekend?

If you're coming to NAR in San Diego, I hope you'll stop by and see us. Traditionally in the past, ActiveRain hasn't had a booth on display where we've shared our goods and promoted the Network. This year will be no different, except we will have our own small section of Real Estate at the convention. Sound confusing?

Good, then you'll read on.....

Our friends over at MarketLeader have graciously offered to share their "Large Acreage" lounge with us, and I get to come be the AR mascot for two whole days. Jon and Bob are finally letting me out! lol~ I'll have my laptop with me, so If you don't come by and see me, and I see you, it's likely that I'll be offended and remove points from your ActiveRain account. (just kidding..lol) Seriously, stop by and see us. It will be an informal, comfortable lounge type setting, where you can relax, rest your weary feet, and just chill with us.

We'll be giving away some really cool stuff, answering some questions if you have to ask them, but mostly we'll be there to support NAR and all the wonderful members that we're hoping to see this weekend. We are also going to be doing a joint drawing: Two RainCamp tickets and a $100 American Express card giveaway for some lucky winner to enjoy dinner during a RainCamp event of their choice during the 2010 tour. We'll be there all day Saturday and Sunday. The drawing will occur on Sunday at the end of the show.

MarketLeader will be giving away a 10 day cruise, so you might want to stop by and see what that's all about too? I'm Looking forward to getting out of the office for a couple days, learning a few new things, mingling with some old and new friends, and most of all, creating some great memories in Sunny Southern California. (it will be sunny right?)

So just drop by, say hi, leave us your card, chat for a bit, and we'll do the rest! If you want access to the entire NAR event on your cell phone, you can download the "NAR 2009" app on to your cell phone here How cool is that?

Until then, travel safe, and "Be All You Can Be" you can and DO make a difference in the world! :-)

Our Lounge Booth is #2425 on the main aisle

RainCamp is Coming To San Francisco

RainCamp is Coming To San Francisco

The ActiveRain RainCamp Tour is Official!  Our first ever RainCamp in Seattle was sold out in just two weeks.  Now there's a demand by many of our members and non members to bring RainCamp to cities all across the Country.  As you can imagine, this is a huge undertaking for our staff and team. There are so many details that go into setting up this event, but our members and guests are not only worth it, they deserve it.


The "Rainergy" and "Buzz" that comes from a RainCamp is like no other event I've ever experienced.  You have to witness it for yourself to understand and grasp the full value and impact it will have on you, your Business, your relationships in your community, and the industry.  Here's what a few of the folks from RainCamp Seattle had to say:

RainCamp is coming to San Francisco on December 2nd, 2009 for a full day packed with great content, presentations, and some of the most useful and applicable ideas and processes that you can implement immediately into your Social Media, Networking, and Blogging Business Strategy and Plan. The Location and Venue we've selected is once again a "Top Notch" off the hook spot.

MarketLeader will be our official Platinum Sponsor for the next 6 RainCamps on the tour schedule.

WHAT IS RAINCAMP

How is RainCamp different from other Conferences?

  • Assess how you stack up in the modern market.
  • Listen to people that are practicing what they preach, and having outstanding success doing it.
  • Learn the methodology of a newer agent who has leveraged the Internet to become a 'Mega Producer'.
  • Walk away with executables you can put into action immediately.
  • Hard core real estate technology education. This is not a fluff event!!

What Do You Get?

An Action Packed Day: At a State-of-the-art conference and meeting room is just the beginning of our package at Mission Bay Conference Center at UCSF.  They have Gorgeous meeting rooms with City and Bay views. Great layout with plenty of seating, wireless Internet Access, and much more.  All the comforts and ammenities of a 5-Star Resort.  "This is one of San Francisco's only full-service conference facilities."

 
San Francisco

Date: December 2nd, 2009

Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm
(registration 8:00am)

Location: Mission Bay Conference Center at UCSF
1675 Owens Street, Suite 251, San Francisco 94143

GOOGLE MAP Yahoo Map | Mapquest Map | Microsoft Map

Facility: Wireless Internet Access and Power Available

 RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW!

 

There will be approximately 140 seats setup classroom style (with tables) reserved for attendees with laptops.  It is all open seating so those seats are first come first serve the day of event.  We are limited to only 500 seats max capacity, so register right away. There will be On-site paid parking available, street parking and/or complimentary shuttles from the BART and Caltrain stations.  If you're wanting overnight accommodations, here's the Unique Venues Site.

Events


Platinum RainCamp™ Sponsor: Market Leader

The Google Story - A Video Story Book

The Google Story - A Video Story Book

This just came out and was put together by the folks over at Google.  A two minute video that I expect will go viral shortly.  Takes you back from the beginning before Google, in 1995, when two mathematicians meet for the first time at Stanford.  Then you're fast forwarded onto the present "Google Wave!" It's Creative, It's Brilliant... It's Google. :-)

"It's already had over 100 views!!"

Get ready, I think they might be about to "Turn The Page!"

ActiveRain RainCamp - Better Than SummerCamp For Kids!

Kids of ALL ages, It's Time To Send Your Parents To RainCamp!

That's right kids, if your Mom or Dad is in the Real Estate Industry, just hanging around the House or Office pouting, pacing, misbehaving, biting their nails, or cussing while sitting at their computers, it's time to send them to Camp.  RAINCAMP!  We can help your folks become more productive, attentive, and obedient if you send them to us. We'll even bring the "CAMP" close to you!  (Watch for RainCamp Calendar Coming Soon!) 

If you want to help make life normal again, and see your parents come home with smiles on their faces and doing the Happy Dance, then RainCamp is the answer.  Just look at what these kids parents had to say who were among the first to ever attend "The RainCamp!"

Parents Responses Prior To RainCamp:

JoSoss: @BrettTousley raises hand and jumps up and down! Me me me - going to #raincamp
rfleroy: Signed up to RainCamp in Seattle http://raincamp.eventbrite.com Wishing it was called SunCamp or HappyCamp...or better yet, BeerCamp!
BitsyKalkbruner: If you think you're at the cutting edge of real estate technology now, you WILL BE for sure after you attend raincamp.com
JoSoss: hahaha @campingworld is now following me -must be all my tweets about RainCamp! I am not a camper- lol! But I am attending RainCamp #raincamp
todderific: fully aware that my lack of recent tweets will make me a target at #raincamp tomorrow.
benkinney: Packing up for raincamp.com tomorrow in Seattle. I am ready, swine flu, and all.
alltechmortgage: Heading to Raincamp.com tomorrow....Hopefully learning new skills. Can they still teach old dog's new tricks...
JohnPayson: Looking forward to Raincamp today!

Parents Reactions During RainCamp:

mallinawilson: sitting in an active raincamp in Seattle! I should come out brilliant!
victoriarealtor: @CoachKaterina Wish you where Here :O)) Brad and Bob are awesome #raincamp
activebob: @bradandersohn never has a camera more than one foot from his reach #raincamp
pmcmortgages: At Active Rain's Rain Camp-lots of excitement! #raincamp
chrispenner: #raincamp just getting going here with Ben Kinney and Active Rains first ever raincamp. Rock on guys.
DuaneHopper: Sitting in Active Rain "RainCamp" Seattle Bell Harbor Conference center. http://post.ly/7c9v
JordanCoxRE: Just got picked to video RainCamp #raincamp
juliannahind: I accidentally entered the men's bathroom when I went on a much needed break at raincamp!
tara_camp: 67% of peeps are more likely to respond to Twitter, facebook, & linkedin than a email #raincamp via @benkinney
Lizmoras: Sitting at active rains first RAINCAMP in Seattle - with bob Kiney - bob stewart - brad andersohn - hey and scott leaf - amazing!
pmcmortgages: Ben Kinney is on stage-this guy understands social networking! #raincamp
victoriarealtor: Top 10 keywords are 19.8 % of all your search terms http://hittail.com twitter#raincamp
findrebecca: Go for the less commonly searched phrases for your targets to get the 80% of your clients that are not using most seared phrases. #raincamp
depmodechick: Wow, these fancy Aeron chairs at Bell Harbor conference center in Seattle are amazing! :) #raincamp #activerain
victoriarealtor: Wow...250 Realtors are at Rain Camp today!!!
mikelovesrobots: At #raincamp. This place is packed! Also, I've never watched an agent use Activerain before live! #spy http://twitpic.com/km8sv
elaineAcook: in the most fantastic workshop...Active Rain, raincamp! Ben is doing great! Fabulous information!
findrebecca: Listening to the Social Media panel with Jim Reppond, Rhonda Porter, Courtney Cooper and JO Soss #raincamp 2009 Seattle.
concentriconlyn: #raincamp Do you promote your blog posts on any social bookmark services such as stumbleupon or del.icio.us?
RealtorSandyN: @BradAndersohn sharing his wealth of knowledge at @ActiveRainCorp #RainCamp.
KitsapAgent: @jososs is one of the better examples of what you can do with social media tools. Her quality content dominates our local market #raincamp
clockhours: #raincamp showing Social media video.. fad or revolution.. always give me goosebumps!
RebeccaChandler: http://bit.ly/OIIs2 (expand) @danielrmccarthy embracing social media to increase consumer engagement - a new way of sharing #activerain #raincamp
jimreppond: Find what's happening at the moment right around you on Twitter with your iPhone using "Buzzd" app. #raincamp
urownlo: listening to @activebob about twitter. #raincamp twitter helps get out my information i enjoy to share
GabeSEO: Twitter TweedDeck tip: Use the filter button in columns to only display Tweets with "?". Result, only question related Tweets. #RainCamp
Design29: Very moving video. Ben Kinney talking about sharing with others, amazing stuff!! #raincamp

Parents Testimonies After Attending RainCamp:

pmcmortgages: Wrapping up the first ever Active Rain raincamp. It was invaluable! Thanks to all! #raincamp
ChristineandCo: Loving what i am learning at #raincamp
victoriarealtor: Brad...Sharing is a good and positive thing ...Thanks for Coming and sharing!  :O)) #raincamp
dalekreiser: Great turnout at Seattle #raincamp. Good info to boot! http://twitpic.com/km1eo
Pamstages: The information here at Rain Camp is great, not just for Realtors I think it's for any small business #raincamp
chrispenner: @BradAndersohn Hey Brad thanks so much to you and your team for ripping up the #raincamp yesterday, just super.
DuaneHopper: @clockhours yep, another great show by #activerain at #raincamp. See you at the after hours for a video ;-)
victoriarealtor: Thanks to our Panel at Rain Camp Jim Repond, Rhonda Porter, Courtney Copper and Jo Soss with Active Brad #raincamp
clockhours: @DuaneHopper Hey Duane.. so you are in this crowd.. awesome conference, huh?! #raincamp
cheridiehl: #raincamp Looking forward to using what I've learned to sell Long Beach WA real estate
urownlo: i have so many great ideas from #raincamp that i will be implementing asap
jimreppond: @mortgageporter more like "getting charged" :-) #raincamp
RealtorSandyN: @benkinney The 10 Days of Pain for internet lead generation! You really missed a ton of info if you didn't attend #raincamp
eComprehend: #raincamp thanks for an awesome day of learning!
RollandJLS: Had a great time at raincamp, awesome to see so many positive good people there! #raincamp
kimcripe: #raincamp What a fantastic day! Thanks for making geeky sexy again....
RentonHomeFinde: #raincamp in Seattle social media and how do we sell Renton homes great stuff for our clients and business
depmodechick: My brain is percolating truckloads of ideas, thanks to the first ever Rain Camp in Seattle (put on by Active Rain). Thank you #raincamp !!!
JoSoss: No matter what level blogger you R- #raincamp has to be a must! I picked up lots of stuff Thx @activebrad @activebob @JonWashburn @BenKinney
Ricklie: Fantastic day of learning at Active Rain's Rain Camp. Thanks to all the planners & contributors for an inspiring six hours! #raincamp
JoSoss: Just posted on ActiveRain: ActiveRain- RainCamp - Thanks the Behind the Scenes AR Crew http://activerain.com/t/1274811
renefabre: #raincamp 1 Seattle... thanks Ben Kinney, Bob Stewart, and Brad Andersohn... AWESOME JOB! ActiveRain team, you're fabulous!
Dinah Lee Griffey Allyn - "I have seldom in my career been as inspired as I was today [at RainCamp]." http://bit.ly/luWJJ
skynnard: Most amazing day of learning and sharing. Thanks #ActiveRain for making #RainCamp possible. Well done everyone. Can't wait for the next one.
BrettTousley: Had a good time at Active Rain's #raincamp today. Great speakers and a lot of useful info. Catch it if it rolls through your town.
DaleKreiser - @JonWashburn It was good to finally meet you last night. Thanks for putting on such a great event yesterday #raincamp Cheers!
JonWashburn: I am gushing with happiness after seeing such a positive twitter response to #raincamp - http://bit.ly/4qqssZ

So as you can see kids, getting your parents to one of these RainCamp events is worth while, and will literally change their life. A Happy Parent is a productive, Socially connected and educated Parent.  If you're still not sure about "RainCamp" or if it's right for your folks, just listen and watch this video below.  Hopefully, you'll be convinced why you "MUST" get your parents to an ActiveRain RainCamp in your area.

We promise to take good care of them, and are committed to making sure that each parent who attends a RainCamp, will come out of it renewed, refreshed, energized and educated.  They will never be the same parent again. :-))  Looking forward to seeing your folks at the next Summer Camp RainCamp for Parents. C'mon Kids, it's really all about them!