by Michele Gillis, Staff Writer
Are you ready for some football?
That’s the theme of this Realtor Builder Tradeshow and, as co-chair David Wakefield of PrimeLending explains, “The theme was chosen because we are not just surviving anymore, it’s ‘Game On’.”
This year’s show is focusing on pumping up those in the real estate market to get their game on. It’s at the University Center of the University of North Florida on Oct. 18 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tickets are $10.
They had considered having the show at EverBank Field but, in order to keep the cost low, they decided to return to the University Center at the University of North Florida, where it is more affordable and almost as centrally located.
Wakefield said the theme was also chosen to show the Realtors and builder’s support of the new changes and new opportunities with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“It really seemed like something that would really fit the industry for the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors and Northeast Florida Builders Association to get behind the whole ‘Game On’ mentality,” said Wakefield.
Wakefield was a co-chair last year and this year he shares the task with Liz McMahon of Watson Realty. The event is co-sponsored by the area’s two major associations: Wakefield represents NEFBA, McMahon represents NEFAR.
“We’re busy and now it’s time for strategy and all those other football terms,” said McMahon.
Why should people come to the show?
“There will be many opportunities to learn about new products from lenders and builders,” said McMahon. “Builders are very busy right now and are ready to show their products at the show. You will see some new ‘green’ options from builders, new building products that feature new wall systems and more.”
Networking is a critical part of the tradeshow to help you in your business.
“When you walk the tradeshow, you are meeting the builders, brokers, real estate teams and service providers that you as a professional will be working with,” said Wakefield. “You will meet different builders and a number of the players there. They will tell you about their community and give you information.”
The Realtor Builder Tradeshow is a one-shop stop. There will be about 65 booth vendors promoting their product/service during the show.
“If you don’t go anywhere in the entire year but your office, you need to get out and go to the tradeshow,” said Wakefield. “It is a one-time, swoop around hit all the builder’s booths and real estate office booths. You might even think about making a change to another company. So, you can check out all the new services and get some good food on the trip around the show.”
Each year, after the show, the board sits down and reviews what went right and wrong about the show to plan and prepare for the next year’s show.
Wakefield said a few changes were made to make this show even more of a good time.
“There will be no live animals this year because that was a big deal last year,” said Wakefield. “We had Brandon the Termite Dog and I had to bounce him and I felt terrible about that. We would have had to have special permits well in advance to have any live animals at the event. Since it was a safari theme, one of the builders hired a company to bring in snakes and lizards. They were there for about an hour before they had to go. It was a great idea, but eventually they had to leave.”
Wakefield said they are going to keep the same setup of the booths and entrance.
“We may control the sound a little differently for the education seminars," said Wakefield.
The education seminars will consist of two technology classes taught by Andrew Bell of Watson Realty. The first will be "Tablets 101" from 10-10:45 a.m. and the second will be "There's an App for that" from 11-11:45 a.m.
The selections of food vendors have not been finalized yet but they will be similar to last year with more football-themed appetizer-sized items.
Wakefield said there will be booth contests and games for attendees to participate in during the show.