By Michele Newbern Gillis
Staff Writer
The Jacksonville Women’s Council of Realtors held a WCR Realtor Technology Expo last month at the University Center at University of North Florida.
“Our first-ever Realtor Technology Expo was a tremendous success in attracting great speakers, exhibitors and a truly interested audience,” said Bassel Jadaa, the WCR website manager and Expo chairman. “One of the WCR’s goals is to continue with its mission in providing its members with the latest in information, which directly impacts their productivity.
“Another goal for the Expo was to provide our members and potentially new members with an environment in which they can interact with very experienced people in their industry in order to enhance their personal growth.”
Several speakers discussed the latest in wireless technology hardware and software for Realtors.
Kevin Hafner from Efficinet spoke about improving the way Realtors do business with existing technology.
“He highlighted many unknown wireless PC’s vulnerabilities,” said Jadaa. “Ben Piner from Itechjax went into details about internet security and ways to protect against hackers. Jason Bennett from Clearwire talked about the advantages of going wireless for all and about its unique services.
The last speaker was Tim Kinsler, a Realtor who won the Allen Hainge Cyber Star of the Year award in 2004 and was the WCR Member of the Year for Palm Beach County in 2004.
“Tim discussed his technological advanced mobile tools, which enabled him to continue to do business in spite of the recent hurricanes,” said Jadaa. “Mr. Kinzler also highlighted the numerous and overlooked business opportunities which are available to Realtors. He was well received by the audience not in the least due to his wonderful sense of humor.”
Jadaa said the speakers were well received by the attendees.
“One WCR member came up to me and expressed her concern about the unknown internet security threats especially as she uses her notebook PC often in coffeehouses,” said Jadaa. “Our speakers discussed this subject and the issue of threat prevention.”
The team that put on the Expo included incoming WCR state governor Millie Kanyar of Watson Realty who was the emcee, Sam Waters of A1A Mortgage and Brian Combs of NLS Loans. Other committee members included Robert Sawyer of Keller Williams Realty and current WCR president; Bonnie Seicker of Century 21 Dames Point Realty and incoming president; Audrey Lackie of Watson Realty, Jeanne Denton-Scheck of Watson Realty who’s the District 1 vice president, Richard Billings of DHI Mortgage, De De Katchen of Premier Coast Realty, Evelyn Hopkins of Title America and Betty Turner of Watson Realty.
“This event would not have been a success without them,” said Jadaa.
Exhibitors that participated in the event were A1A Mortgage, Total Inspections, LLC, Silpada Designs, Fine Sterling; Efficinet, Inc, Blue Ribbon Foods, ITech Computer Management, Inc., Professional Writing, Professional Greetings, DHI Mortgage, Clearwire, First Coast Financial Group, Inc., Mary Kay, Inc., Escape Title & Financial Services, American Home Mortgage and Bayview Financial Exchange Services.