“I have attended several FAR conventions over the years and feel it has always been time well spent because I learned about new products, new real estate laws, new technology, and new issues looming on the real estate horizon. Attending these conventions has also provided plenty of opportunities to meet and network with other agents from Florida, some of whom have become my friends and sources of referral business. Of course, my favorites are the National Association of Realtors conventions which offer every new gadget you can think of and then some, more educational sessions and seminars, and tens of thousands of real estate professionals from all over the world. A special bonus of the NAR conventions is the opportunity to ‘get away’ from it all for a week or so and spend time in wonderful cities like San Francisco and Chicago and New Orleans and Washington, D.C. Attending conventions always breathe new life into my real estate career and I would say to my peers, ‘Find a way to go; you’ll be better off for it!’”
— Elke McMenemy,
Florida Home Realty
“I have been to the last six FAR conventions. It is the place to be to see who is who in the real estate zoo! The speakers are presenting the latest and greatest positions on problems and issues that affect the daily business of real estate. It is also a great time to meet our Realtor leadership and the trade show has something for everyone to make their business grow and go. I love the FAR convention! Hope to see everyone there!”
— Wally Conway,
Florida HomePro, Inc.
“FAR conventions are great. I have attended many and only wish I could have attended every one. They allow you to learn the elements of your profession that are of key interest to you, as well as exchange information with others who are ‘in the same boat as you’ about timely issues that haven’t made it into any textbook yet! It’s truly ‘the cutting edge’ place to be. Also, the networking is not only fun, but very profitable as well. I’ve always received good referrals long after each convention! And this is where we have a chance to voice our opinion ‘eyeball to eyeball’ to our association’s leaders and they listen! I would urge everyone to pal up with a few other people in the area and go together, that way you can all exchange good information on the way home, share expenses and have more fun!”
— Pam Bingemann,
Bingemann Realty Sales, Inc.
“The FAR convention is the one meeting no agent in Florida should miss if they only attend the trade show. The sessions on law and agency are the best. The Attorney Relations committee, the Florida Real Estate Commission and FAR show are the best because they cover changes and legal cases that have impact on us and sometimes immediately. All of the educational sessions are fantastic. The Property Management group was formed a few years back and they are invaluable to property managers. I love the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers sessions that apply to office management. They help agents as well as managers with their businesses. The trade show is a mini session for agents on its own. The display of new programs and ideas make you think and even if you don’t buy them you get to see new concepts that will help you in the future. I can’t tell you how much I have gained from these meetings in the past. I believe that is how I have stayed in business for almost 30 years!”
— Linda DeGrande,
Merritt Realty Group, Inc.
“I used to go to every Florida convention until the dates were changed from September to the summer, when I am often tied up on summer vacation. This year it coincides for us with the first week of school, so if all is well, I may get there. It’s a great way to spend a few days filling yourself up with knowledge from many sources. There are great seminars, all designed to open your mind to new ideas and make you think. It’s also helpful to network with Realtors from other parts of the state. You get to know more about their areas, and you can be referral sources for each other!”
— Clare Berry,
Berry & Co. Real Estate
“The best reason I have for not attending is that I spent many years attending every meeting, function and event related to real estate and property management. [This was not here in Florida, but in another part of the country.] I found that the more I did, the more there was to do, and those types of activities took up a huge amount of my time. I have a hard time saying ‘no’, and I, therefore, ended up working on every committee and project imaginable. Those years are behind me now and I do not, personally, feel the need to attend conventions, trade shows and the like. I encourage others to do so, however, particularly those who are newer to the industry. It’s a great opportunity for networking, education and career growth.”
— Sue Ann Ogden,
Suncastle Properties, Inc.
“FAR meetings are a wonderful place to attend. I have attended too many to even count. Because FAR is run by committees, part of the conference time is devoted to committee meetings. If you can donate your time and serve on a committee, you should. If you cannot, you might like to attend different committee meetings to learn what is going on with plans to volunteer in the future. But if these meetings are not for you, you should at least plan to attend the Super Sales Day of the Fall meeting. There are numerous experts there giving presentations. These are top notch national speakers. Nowhere can you get so much valuable information in just one day. I definitely recommend it. And don’t forget it is a great opportunity to network and meet other Realtors who can send you referrals.”
— Martha M. Dickerson,
director of Education &
Development for Coldwell Banker Walter Williams Realty, Inc.
“I have attended several FAR meetings, mostly with either agents in my current office or agents from other offices. I can tell you that I still get referrals from agents that I have met at FAR! The seminars and courses offered are invaluable. You meet new people and network and do business. It makes sense to attend, especially since it is so close.”
— Judy Hicks,
Re/Max Real Estate Specialists
“In answer to your FAR question, I have attended one time. I was fairly new to the real estate business. The show provided lots of ideas for marketing and technology. I also attended several of the seminars and they were informative, if not exciting [it was when Planet Realtor was first out and the techno-geek teaching the class was a little beyond my non-techie level!] I would recommend it to new agents who want the tops in marketing ideas, and to experienced agents who need a boost!”
— Joyce Haley,
Watson Realty
“No, I have not been to a FAR convention yet and I have no definite reason as to why I have not, just have not done so, however it is in my future to do so. There is no limit to learning and being informed so even though I have not been, I will go and maybe soon since you are asking.”
— Sandra Brown,
Prudential Network Realty