Experiences that Transform
Every once in a great while, you encounter/experience something that revolutionizes/challenges your thinking, and transforms/changes the way in which you approach business/marketing. My involvement here on ActiveRain has been one such experience.
The REBarCamp is another.
The recent REBarCamp in Houston Texas was the second such event I’ve attended in the past year. I had also participated in the REBarCamp San Francisco, just prior to the Inman Connect back last summer.
For those of you who are not yet familiar with these events, REBarCamp is derivative of BarCamp, an international network of free user-generated conferences characterized by spontaneous, open, participatory workshops. It was first started by O’Reilly Media in 2005, the same folks who coined the term ‘Web 2.0.‘
The Curse of the Costly Conference
Over the course of my professional career, I’ve attended more conferences, workshops, expos, trade shows, and conventions than you can shake a stick at. Which is strange, because I rarely find myself shaking a stick at something!
Regardless, by virtue of my past experiences, I consider myself somewhat of an expert on what constitutes a successful and beneficial event.
In today’s challenging market, real estate professionals around the country are hard-pressed to justify and cover the expenses of attending industry-related conferences.
At the NAR Conference in Orlando this past November, the full 4-day event cost $430. Add to that your air fare, hotel accommodations, and meals, and you’re easily up over $2000. For the recent Inman Connect in New York, conference registration was almost twice the cost of NAR Orlando.
Please understand, I am not downplaying or criticizing the value of events such as the Inman Connect or the NAR Conference, or the associated ROI of such events. But realistically, not everyone has the ability, especially in the current economic downturn, to participate in these events.
The Conference that Comes to You - 100% Absolutely FREE!
REBarCamp, on the other hand, is FREE to those who attend. The costs for the event are shared evenly by sponsors who contribute a flat fee of $250 each. The monies provided through sponsorship help to underwrite the expenses of renting the meeting space, providing a nice lunch, and giving each attendee an REBarCamp T-shirt. REBarCamp events can be organized and held locally, eliminating costly travel and hotel expenses.
Enter at Your Own Risk
However, by its very premise, there is an inherent risk with the REBarCamp experience. Rather than having a predictable slate of scheduled speakers/presenters (hence the corresponding cost of the event), and their associated topics, the agenda for the REBarCamp isn’t necessarily known until the morning of the event. As people show up, those who want to present/teach a session can reserve a spot for the preferred time slot and classroom location up on the ad hoc schedule board, and promote their particular session/topic. So obviously, the nature and extent of your event topics/content will vary, depending on who shows up.
Lessons from the Trenches
Despite this risk, the compensating positive is that REBarCamp provides an open environment
“Where those who are passionate about what they know, can share their knowledge freely with those who are hungry to learn!”
The people who volunteer to teach or present the sessions at REBarCamp are typically those who not only know their subject matter intimately, but have practically implemented/applied it in the course of their everyday business. They’ve lived out what they know in the trenches and allow us to benefit from their experiences.
Continuing dEaD
How many industry-related conferences or CE classes have you attended where you came away with very little, if any, practical or helpful information that directly impacted your business? Unfortunately, all too many times, either the information is not relevant to the issues we face, or the speakers seem out of touch with our reality.
Vendors in White Hats
We’re extremely fortunate in our industry to have so many valued supplier/vendor companies who actively invest and participate in events such as REBarCamp. These are companies that have a vision beyond simply selling/marketing their products and services. They possess genuine concern and passion for the health of the real estate industry, and seek to provide value for those of us who derive our living from it. My personal thanks to our friends at Trulia, Zillow, Altos Research, MLBroadcast.com, and Real Estate Shows for your ongoing support!
Trailblazers in the Web 2.0 Frontier
Additional thanks and gratitude should be extended towards those from among our ranks who have effectively laid the groundwork for future events to take place. People like Todd Carpenter, Andy Kaufman, Brad Coy, and Mike Price, to name a few.
It All Begins with You!
Imagine the positive impact we could make in our industry if each of us helped to organize an REBarCamp event in our own local market? For more information on how to begin the process, access the official REBarCamp website, or contact Mike Price at MLBroadcast.com for further details.
Coming to a City Nearest You:
REBarCamp Seattle, Friday Feb. 13th REBarCamp Los Angeles REBarCampVirginia
Rich - I think I enjoyed the "unconference" nature of Barcamp more than just about anything else.
I wish I was going to be in the area for this one....looks like it will be great!
Wishing you all the best at Rebarcamp.
Hi Rich...I am planning to attend the Virginia camp. Hopefully I can get some of the reluctant agents in my area to attend. I am the only one blogging out of about 50+ agents at Lake Anna. Unbelievable.
Kate
P.S. I was hoping to meet Jon tonight at Pat Kennedy's home but we are having sleet right now. I was concerned (actually my husband was) about the ride home. We live out in the country and the roads will probably be slick.
Rich,
No doubt it will be a good one in Seattle. I'll be attending L.A. myself in April. Hope to see ya there!
Rich, I'm coming:) (But you already knew that!) I saw this as the perfect learning opportunity for me. Seattle, Active Rain, Bloodhound Blog Unchained AND REBarCamp...does it get any better? I really need this knowledge to help "push me over the next level". I've been a beginner, far too long. I'd much rather be in an informal setting than a stuffy classroom setting, while learning from so many talented folks.
Yes, it's always great to network in our own areas, but having the opportunity to network with others from around the globe really excites me! I'm SO excited!
Rich... I'm looking forward to seeing everyone there. THX!
Rene'
I'm looking forward to the ReBar event in our area in March. I'm stuck like Kate and couldn't get to meet up at Pat's house tonight. Slipping and sliding on the roadways.
Rich- I wish I could make the event it sounds great, but I have plans for 7 days in Jamaica. I will have to wait and see what happens.
Rich,
REBarcamp is an opportunity!
A free opportunity!
A kin to the a community or church pot luck. You'll get out of it in accordance to what you put in to it and more importantly you'll get out of it what you're willing to accept.
To me it had more in common to a a "Grange" meeting lots of information discusied as a social event or family reunion. I wouldn't have missed it.
Bill
Friday the 13th?
Really?
How much is a flight... this might be good!!!
Rich- looking forward to Los Angeles!!!
Have a great time. I hear such wonderful things about these events. I would love to get to this one, espicially considering the venue, but I don't I will. Hopefully we'll have one in Chicago one day!
I'm looking forward to it; all the new info, ideas and energy...but most of all meeting in person many whom I've only had the pleasure of "talking" to in cyber space ;-)
You think they'd consider swimming across the Pacific?
OK, I'll be there, but I am putting in one big request. Please remember that not everyone at the REBarCamp has an extensive knowledge of internet technology. Some of us are still muddling our way through.
Some people could volunteer to do a session on, perhaps, "Social Networking 101: Keeping track of it all". Perhaps a class called "How Not to Do All Your Blogging at 2 am - Sleep is our Friend." Maybe something about "The Truth About SEO", and "How to Drive Clients to Your Site."
Ya'll think I'm kidding.... Think of it as a dare, everyone. Someone teach some of these.....
Rich, you need to bring your show to Myrtle Beach, SC!
Looking forward to a Valentine's Eve Gala in Seattle! :-)
Rich,
We''re chomping at the bit for Fredericksburg in March!
Marlene: Many of the sessions, including the one that I lead, simply covers the basics. There's something for everyone!
So whose paying for me to go? Any volunteers? Cuz I'm just collecting listings. I need to sell some of thes bad boys!
Rich - I am tempted to come since it's on Friday the 13th and my name is Jason. :)
I can't make it there, but I am kicking around the idea of the re bar camp in VA in March. Gonna be there?
I wish I could make it out to Seattle - maybe I should look into organizing one in Nashville?
Emily: Go for It!...
I am waiting for you to come back to Texas. I was hearing rumors that it could happen again towards the middle of this year.
I get to gooooooo! I get to goooooo! Woot woot! *bounce*
I am in! Can't wait to go!
Seattle is a little far, but I hear there's one in Fredericksburg, VA, in March - Count me in for that one!
I'm looking forward to Seattle. It should be great!
If you're wondering what it's like at a REBarCamp check out the video Greg Afarian did: http://www.viddler.com/explore/zipvogreg/videos/1/
Rich, I am so glad that I attended. I learned so much and it was great to meet so many of the people I see here on Active Rain. You did a fantastic job and need to receive a award for being such a beacon of support to all of us!
Best,
Scott
Scott: Thanks, man. I appreciate all you did in coordinating the Unchained event. It was great to finally meet you. Let me know if I can ever be of service to you!....
I signed up for this event but I got sick... so I could not go. My associate went there and she was it was SO AWESOME... She said she learned so much and was totally fired up! She filled me in as much as she could but I really wished that I could have been there. I really hope I could be there next time!