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November 2003
Index of all
messages from the Association President
The benefits of attending state convention.
by Debbie Green
The Colorado Association of REALTORS® Convention was outstanding this year!
The classes, the exhibit hall, the social activities and the people were all fabulous. And the added benefits... too numerous to mention them all, but let's list a few here.
Education
Classes were many and varied, with topics covering HUD homes, business plans, international business, water rights, loan fraud, Hispanic business etiquette and many more. What a range of topics! There was something for everyone...residential brokers, commercial brokers and affiliates.
Exhibit Hall
The exhibit hall took all of two to three days to explore. Inside, attendees could find new ideas for marketing and new products to make us more effective in our day-to-day business. There were lenders, title companies, software vendors, governmental agencies, builders and so many more. I was able to buy sign riders and pennants for open houses at a great price!
Social Scene There were social events to meet everyone's party jones.
The opening night dinner was political in nature and Michael Dunn, a consultant, from the Washington, D.C. area, gave a presentation on who our congressional representatives really listen and respond to, and why. At the dinner, REALTORS® who contributed money and/or time to PSF (the Political Survival Fund) were honored, including AAR's own Adam Malachi, who made a generous contribution of $1,000.
The Keynote Luncheon, appropriately themed "Climb to the Top," was phenomenal with featured speaker Eric Weihenmayer. This phenomenal young man has climbed North America's highest peak, Mt. McKinley, along with Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and Mount Everest in Nepal. Amazing feats, but here's what makes Weihenmayer's climbs so incredible: he is blind. His speech was both inspirational and funny - I saw many teary eyes in the audience.
AAR aplenty
The Aurora Association was well represented at the Inaugural Dinner, as our own Bob Brown was installed as the new CAR president. Several brokers from Bob Brown's office were present to support him, and many of AAR's members from other firms were there, too. A very nice new touch to this year's Inaugural evening was the introduction not only of the new members of the CAR executive staff introduced, but also of their significant others, meaning Bob Brown's lovely wife, Julie Brown, was also recognized. We all wish Bob the very best this year.
Event value
I think there is value in attending the state convention for all of the above mentioned events - but some benefits to be gained are not to be found at specific venues, but rather from the experience of attending the convention itself. For example, the event affords ongoing opportunities to meet new friends; to develop and network with other professionals; to learn that others face the same problems in this industry as you; to take the time to appreciate others; and to see other members outside of our own community settings.
Last year at the Inaugural, I met a quiet, unassuming lady named Paula Schaffer. The way we met was hilarious - as we left the event, we looked at each other and realized we had on the very same evening dress. Well, what could we do but laugh and have fun with the situation? We decided to take a picture together and keep in touch. I sent Paula a copy of the picture, and let her know from that point onward, she was my evil twin. Paula had a good laugh about that and we e-mailed each other from time to time.
Paula was the president of the Durango Board. I received an e-mail just before I left for the convention this year with the sad news that Paula had died from a brain tumor. I thought about her while I was down this year at the convention. I know there are added benefits to attending conventions, and one is meeting wonderful people like Paula, who we might never find but for an unexpected moment, and who impact our lives.
So plan now to attend next year's CAR Convention and prepare yourself for the many benefits you are sure to
receive.
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