The Alberta Mortgage Brokers Association, the Alberta Real Estate Association, the Calgary Real Estate Board and the Real Estate Council of Alberta are again working together to bring Calgary (and area) real estate and mortgage professionals the city’s finest “unconference” conference – RE BarCamp YYC 2013!
This year’s RE BarCamp YYC will be held May 1, 2013 at the Wainwright Hotel at Heritage Park.
Watch this space for more information and registration details!
All photos by Julie Vincent Photography
More than 100 Alberta real estate and mortgage brokerage professionals attended RE BarCamp YYC at the Calgary Real Estate Board (creb®) yesterday. Attendees participated in more than 20 separate participant-driven sessions on topics as diverse as using an iPad to the Future of Organized Real Estate.
Sessions were very informal. Here Gary Chambers facilitated a discussion on the future of realtor.ca
RE BarCamp YYC was the first BarCamp held in Calgary, and thanks to the interest shown by the industry, Alberta industry professionals can expect to see more BarCamps in the future.
For those who missed it, here’s a rundown of the day:
We Came
We Learned
We Had Fun
Participants tweeted furiously before, during and after the event, and #yycrebar trended on Twitter in the Calgary area.
The board began to fill up early, nearly to capacity by the start of the first session.
Thanks to everyone who came and everyone who facilitated a session, Ernest Barbaric who provided the keynote presentation, and a special thanks to the sponsors: National Bank, Kahane Law Office, RE/MAX, CIR Realty, the Alberta Real Estate Association, creb® and the Real Estate Council of Alberta, who made it all possible.
RE BarCamp YYC is tomorrow!
Tips for the day
Come with gadgets
Bring cards… Lots of ‘em
Introduce yourself
Dress Casual
Take Part
Tag everything #yycrebar
Post from the event
Challenge yourself
Learn, Network and Have FUN!
We all do things last minute.
We would like to see as many people as possible at RE BarCamp YYC, even the procrastinators, so we’ve decided to extend the registration deadline to April 30, 2012.
Reason #9: It’s local.
You don’t have to travel very far and everyone you meet will be dealing with the same issues you face.
Reason #8: No “Boat Show.”
I’m sure many of you have attended larger conferences and tradeshows and felt that all you took away was that big bag of swag and the feeling of mild disappointment that you didn’t win the big draw at the end. Traditional conferences and tradeshows are certainly an opportunity to network and educate yourself, but sometimes, they don’t work out the way they’re supposed to. Sometimes they’re just an excuse to get a lot of people in one place so vendors can sell you stuff. There is ABSOLUTELY NO SELLING at BarCamps. You are there to learn, to teach, to discuss and to network.
Reason #7: There’s food
Breakfast, lunch, afternoon drinks. What more do you need?
Reason #6: Interesting, creative, hardworking people – like you
BarCamp sounds intriguing to you? You probably have a lot in common with the other attendees.
Reason #5: Barcamps are edgy
You think you’re ahead of the curve? The fact that you are reading this blog proves it. BarCamps started in the technology and computer industries, where discussions weren’t about how to best use a smart phone, but were about building the best smart phone. Those in the industry that are on the cutting edge will be there.
Reason #4: Connect in person with people you know online
You know @peergroup pretty good. You tweet back and forth all day. Well, it’s time to put a face and a voice to that Twitter handle.
Reason #3: Conference participants determine the schedule
Every breakout session at a BarCamp is created by a participant. No podiums here. No rushed speeches and time for 5 minutes of Q & A. Want to talk viral marketing all day? Go for it!
Reason #2: The Rule of Two Feet
You may feel like discussing your favourite topics all day, but if a session suddenly switches direction and you’d like to see what else is going on, just get up and do it. Informal sessions means informal rules.
Reason #1: Relaxed, informal learning at its best
Studies have shown that people tend to learn best when they are immersed in a discussion, not when they are being talked at.
Register today. All the cool kids are doing it.
So, you’re thinking about registering for RE BarCamp YYC and you may even be interested in facilitating a discussion. That’s great news. It’s in your hands to make this a great event for everybody.
But, you’re new to the RE BarCamp movement, right? Frankly most people in Alberta are as this is the first time a RE BarCamp is being held in the province.
Now, how do you know what to do – or not to do – to ensure it’s a great experience for everyone?
Here are just a few DOs and DON’Ts of RE BarCamp participation and facilitation.
DON’T:
DO:
Remember, this is your opportunity to take part in a conference that you, yourself – and other real estate professionals – are responsible for designing. It’s going to be chaotic, it’s going to be exciting, and it’s going to be a lot of fun – but we need your help. Register today!
As CEO of the Calgary Real Estate Board (creb®), I’m thrilled that creb® will be co-hosting Alberta’s first RE BarCamp. It’s a great opportunity for real estate professionals from across the province to take part in a conference that they themselves design.
As a former agent myself, I know REALTORS® are natural communicators and natural networkers – and I know many of the ones I’ve met like to be where the action is. RE BarCamp YYC is an exciting event that puts our own industry members, their skills, their knowledge, in the limelight.
I invite everyone to register for RE BarCamp YYC, which is taking place on May 2, 2012, at the creb® offices in Calgary. Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend as I’ll be out of town at some meetings, otherwise myself and creb® President Bob Jablonski would have enjoyed being in the midst of all the creativity and intense discussion.
RE BarCamp YYC is an opportunity for you to make a conference into the event you want it to be. Watch as your peers jump in to facilitate a discussion. Facilitate one yourself and keep the momentum going; learn what you want to learn and talk with those you want to talk with.
Of course no conference is complete without solid networking opportunities, and RE BarCamp YYC will have plenty of those as well. Breakfast, lunch, breaks and a networking reception at the end of the day make this an ideal chance to increase your knowledge and your industry connections.
Register today and prepare yourself for a conference that engages participants like no other.
RE BarCamp YYC – May 2, 2012 – It’s going to be amazing!
Calgary social media expert Ernest Barbaric joins RE BarCamp YYC as its keynote speaker!
Ernest Barbaric is a trusted authority on digital and social media marketing. Since 2001, when he established his first successful online community, he has rebranded companies, developed and executed online marketing plans and introduced interactive marketing to radio advertisers.
He helps organizations use social media to acquire market share, increase sales, reach a deeper talent pool and manage their brand and reputation online.
Ernest is also an instructor at Mount Royal University where he developed the Social Media for Business certificate program and often teaches courses on Blogging, Facebook, Twitter and Digital Marketing Strategy.
He continues to push the envelope by introducing concepts from behavioural psychology in his work and sharing these insights with audiences worldwide. His work on engagement triggers has already been adopted for several university level marketing courses and is currently being expanded into a book.
Ernest’s session at RE BarCamp YYC, Advanced Social Media and Digital Branding, will highlight key trends that are reshaping digital communications, the customer decision-making process and its impact on your business, marketing and branding. as well as content development. Topics include:
• 3 key social media trends
• Understanding the customer decision making process
• Developing a strong personal brand with social media
• How to build a content strategy that delivers leads
• Tips and tricks: Pinterest and Facebook Timeline
Ernest will help you turn your social media presence into a revenue generating activity. Spaces are limited – ensure your seat today, register for RE BarCamp YYC, May 2, 2012!
