by Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
Two for the tradeshow
The days leading up to the 2006 Realtor Builder Tradeshow were stressful for organizers but the chairpersons of the show, and especially the respective association representatives, kept their cool.
Co-chair Deborah Metzig had been on the phone with Celeta McClamma of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors for days.
“One week before, we spent three-quarters of the day preparing,” said Metzig. “I can’t imagine chairing this event without the help of Celeta and Portland (Stuart). As a volunteer who has a full-time job with Bailey Publishing (she’s the account representative for Realty/Builder Connection,) I could not handle this without the amount of help they have given me.”
For McClamma, the show means a little more time in the office and a lot of time on the phone. But it’s manageable, she said.
McClamma, along with Portland Stuart of the Northeast Florida Builders Association, worked with Metzig and co-chair Diane Moss of Watson since the beginning of the year.
McClamma’s full-time job is systems and accounting manager for NEFAR, where she started in 1993. She’s had experience with the tradeshow, including when it was only a luncheon at the Osborn Center. But this year, McClamma has handled the registration of booths, taken minutes of all the organizational meetings and dispersed information to committee members.
Stuart is the Sales and Marketing Council director and she’s been through seven trade shows. She organized, sold booths and helped create themes.
Stuart started with NEFBA in 2001 and took on the role of coordinating people and events for the association at the end of 2004. She’s behind the scenes at the organization’s golf tournament, gala, installation ceremony, Parade of Homes Banquet and the Laurel Award ceremony.
And just like those events, the tradeshow requires Stuart’s balancing skills also.
“I prioritize what’s important and I shift things throughout my day to accommodate,” she said.
Stuart is often seen at many Realtor and builder events running around and finalizing details for shows.
One of the largest parts of this year’s tradeshow was the organization of sponsorships.
This year was the first in which several publications were offered the opportunity to be media publication partners.
“This year is a much larger scale of advertising sponsors than in years past,” said Metzig. “Celeta and Portland have helped facilitate getting advertising to different publications and working with sponsors on deadlines.”
Stuart said getting sponsorships is one of the largest parts of her job within NEFBA and for the tradeshow, and she feels like she’s always calling people for various events. But most people are great, she said, and some say “yes” without even knowing what they are agreeing to sponsor.
Sponsors surely know this event and the benefits that come along with it.
“These sponsorship opportunities allow (sponsors) to get more information out to a larger group of people,” said McClamma, adding that more sponsors at the tradeshow means a chance for Realtors to see all the developments going on in Northeast Florida without actually seeing the sites. The show brings it all together. Sometimes you wouldn’t know about the small developments going on. It’s a big opportunity to network and people like the networking.”
Although the housing market has slowed, both Stuart and McClamma say now is the best time to give sponsorship dollars.
“The market is cooling, but not like other areas. Now is the time to sponsor,” said Stuart.
“It’s hard right now having to work in real estate and the show allows Realtors to make good contacts and come away with useful information,” said McClamma. “Everybody who has ever walked away from the show has had a positive comment. It’s just fun.”