How Do I Prepare for the Five Star Conference?

So, this is my first time attending ANY conference so I don't know what to do to make the most of it.

To tell you a little bit about myself, I am a real estate broker with 12 years of experience but I was in construction management for 2 of those 12 years when the market first took a "dive."

Since being back in the industry (almost 2 years) I have done 1 million BPOs and 4 REO's. I am really trying to increase my REO inventory and hopefully become a superstar like most of you guys on this site.

I am a member of Res.net (no action), Equator (no action), Default Solutions (no action) and NABPOP. I haven't completed any of the certifications due to either having no extra money or no extra time. I have registered with at least 100 BPO companies from the list provided by NABPOP and other word of mouth suggestions.

I've heard of people meeting Asset Managers and being further entrusted with thier real estate inventory but I don't know exactly what it is you do when you meet these Asset Managers besides smile and say "I really, really, really want REO listings from your company."

So my question(s) is: What do you bring to these conferences and what do you do at these conferences in order to potentially increase your business?

I'm really hoping to figure this out before the Five Star conference so I don't end up wasting $1,000+.

And thanks in advance for all of your wisdom.

If you're going thinking that you're going to meet tons of Asset Managers, get that out of your head. The few that attend get attacked by agents like you wouldn't believe. I think ththose that do attend, do it because they like the attention!

What you will meet are thousands of agents from around the country that have personal relationships with Asset Managers. Build relationships with these agents from outside your area and often, these agents will share information and possibly share contacts.

Nobody wants to see your resume there. Most Asset Managers won't even accept them... the few that do will throw them in the trash the first chance they get.

If you want to give them something make it unique... make yourself stand out from the crowd. If you give them something unique, you can follow up with them after the conference and reference the unique things you gave them. This will help them remember you against the 2000 agents who handed them a business card. If you're going to hand then a business card, make sure it has your pictures on it... even if you are ugly! No pictures = no remember!

I hope that all helps.

Replies

Matt Peters September 1, 2010 at 4:32pm

Antonio,
Both Kyle and Marqueze make good points and have good advice. Personally, I have never done very well orchestrating or directing networking. I enjoy learning, sharing ideas, meeting people and hope my prosperity benefits. If you can enter into exchanges with others at the conference and establish some common ground and mutual respect there may be some help or leads down the road. Our business is very local, and we do not compete with our peers in other areas. There will be direct leads at the conference, and to follow up on after the conference, but probably more opportunity in indirect leads and possible introductions from among ourselves.
- Antonio Small > Matt Peters September 1, 2010 at 5:05pm
  
  Matt,
  
  Thanks for the response. Can you give me an example of how a Texas REO broker could help a South Florida "REO" broker like myself?
  
  In my mind this conference was going to be something that seperated the serious people from the hobbiest. I imagined I would meet with asset managers and they would know that I am serious and give me their properties to market.
  - Dr. Marqueze D. Williams, Sr, NRBA > Antonio Small September 1, 2010 at 5:12pm
    
    You will meet some AMs. More agents though and the key is networking with the agents to get the AMs information. Also signup on LinkedIn if you haven't. Join the Asset Manager and REO Real Estate Agent Connect and network there as well. For ex. I am in that group and out of the blue I got an email from the Supplier Services Specialist at FREDDIE MAC to send my resume and await an interview specifically for my area. I was floored again! There will be AMs there but they will be covered like flies on....just make sure you stand out for your area. Also dress to impress. I think you will be just fine
Dr. Marqueze D. Williams, Sr, NRBA September 1, 2010 at 3:40pm

Now Vitaliy is right about that. Being an AM has perks. I treated an AM to a luxury dinner but we had SOOOOOO much fun omg! And I also kicked an AM butt in pool while being at 5 star. Those 2 companies feed me well. All from just being myself. So Antonio have fun man; Shoot sometimes I wish I was an AM at the 5 star! LOL LOL! so many perks like people chasing me around like I am MJ!
Tony Rosales September 1, 2010 at 12:05pm

Antonio,
Vitaliy and Marqueze and two of the best agent's there are!

I was an Asset Manager for 8 years and now I consult, and can tell you that their advice is right on the money.

Just have a great time and enjoy all of the crazyness! Hope to see you there!
Antonio Small September 1, 2010 at 9:20am

Kyle, I hear (see) what you're saying but I also see it from Marquezes point of view. So as a wise man, I will take a little bit from both of you an incorporate it into one big plan.

I believe in the value of professionalism,looking good, schmoozing, uniqueness, resumes, business cards and education. So I will combine all of these things and hopefully hit a home run.

Again, thanks guys for all of your input. By my count Marqueze is up in points with Vitaliy and Kyle tied for second.
- Kyle Whissel > Antonio Small September 1, 2010 at 9:30am
  
  Haha. Just so you know hat you're up against...I know of more than one person that have provided services for Asset Managers including a private suite with massages for them, complimentary tables at night clubs and to top it all off...ESCORTS.
  
  This is the kind of ridiculousness you are up against. Enjoy it =).
  - Antonio Small > Kyle Whissel September 1, 2010 at 10:52am
    
    Yikes, that is crazy. I like to keep it kosher - won't be getting into anything like that.
    
    So you're not coming to the conference, Kyle?
    - Kyle Whissel > Antonio Small September 1, 2010 at 12:17pm
      
      Nope...I have been the last few years and decided that I would rather go to the AREAA conference in Vegas instead. Much less money, within driving distance and in a much better location!
      
      I went to the Commercial Default 360 conference put on earlier in the year by Five Star and the location is undesirable. You have to drive or cab to get anywhere.
      
      I will admit, I will miss the great networking events that Five Star includes with the conference admission.
Kyle Whissel September 1, 2010 at 3:16am

If you're going thinking that you're going to meet tons of Asset Managers, get that out of your head. The few that attend get attacked by agents like you wouldn't believe. I think ththose that do attend, do it because they like the attention!

What you will meet are thousands of agents from around the country that have personal relationships with Asset Managers. Build relationships with these agents from outside your area and often, these agents will share information and possibly share contacts.

Nobody wants to see your resume there. Most Asset Managers won't even accept them... the few that do will throw them in the trash the first chance they get.

If you want to give them something make it unique... make yourself stand out from the crowd. If you give them something unique, you can follow up with them after the conference and reference the unique things you gave them. This will help them remember you against the 2000 agents who handed them a business card. If you're going to hand then a business card, make sure it has your pictures on it... even if you are ugly! No pictures = no remember!

I hope that all helps.

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