by Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
Deborah Metzig and Diane Moss have been working overtime lately preparing for the 27th annual Realtor Builder Tradeshow and Luncheon.
The year started off with meetings every third week, then every two weeks for the past month and, now, every week as the tradeshow gets closer.
It’s Oct. 5 at Alltel Stadium and begins at 9 a.m. The event is one of the largest collaborations of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors and the Northeast Florida Builders Association.
Realtors will get the red carpet treatment and be greeted by “celebrities” because this year’s theme is “Northeast Florida: The Premier Showcase of the South” and it’s all about Hollywood.
More than 100 booths will fill Alltel Stadium, decorated with different themes and attractions. Those manning booths will be dressed in costume in hopes of winning one of four booth competitions.
The booth contests will be evaluated by “celebrity” judges and prizes will be given for best giveaways, best theme, most entertaining booth and most creative booth. Each prize is worth $500 for the company’s favorite charity.
“Realtors will have the opportunity to see new products and new communities,” said Metzig, the Advertising Sales Director for Realty/ Builder Connection. “The booths will have lenders, real estate agents, builders and other vendors that support the industry. They’ll give Realtors additional tools to help their business and provide information for their clients all in one day.”
Metzig sits on the board for NEFBA’s Sales and Marketing Council and was asked by SMC Chair Pud English of Palencia to co-chair the event. It’s her fourth year being part of the tradeshow and luncheon.
This is Moss’ first year as a chair for the event, she was a volunteer last year. Moss, a broker for Watson Realty, sits on NEFAR’s board and was asked by NEFAR President Kay Seitzinger to co-chair the event.
“It has been great being a part of this committee,” said Moss. “This is a group of dynamic professionals that are putting together a fabulous event. The excitement within the committee cannot help but spill over.”
In all, there are more than 20 members that prepare the event.
This year’s tradeshow will be a little different that previous year’s, according to Metzig.
“We want to work off the huge success of the last couple of years and we have new and exciting changes that we as a committee brought in this year,” she said.
Namely, sponsorships.
In years past, the Jacksonville Business Journal was the prominent publication sponsor running advertisements and promos.
“This year, we offer sponsors a greater opportunity for exposure by bringing in several publications to be media publication partners for the event,” said Metzig.
“We are thrilled to welcome four additional publications to join the Business Journal in being publication partners.”
The additional publications include: Realty/Builder Connection, The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville Homebuyer Magazine and Mature Living Choices magazine.
“We wanted to give sponsors as much and more than they expected,” said Metzig.
NEFAR News and Bildor News, the publication of NEFBA, are also doing some advertising of the event, according to Metzig.
Also new this year is a road show of local real estate offices in the greater North Florida market.
The event started in August and will end this month.
Jason Rue of Prudential Network Realty and Robin Challberg of Cornerstone Homes are heading up the newest addition.
“The Realtor Builder Road Show is a brand new idea aimed at informing new real estate agents about the event and encouraging more and more existing agents to attend,” said Rue. “Our goal is to keep the excitement level high and continually build support and enthusiasm for future tradeshows and luncheons.”
Tickets for the event are $40 and can be purchased from Celeta McClamma at 394-9494, ext. 1201.
