Make the most of NARdi Gras
Advice for Rookie Convention Goers
An NAR convention can seem intimidating, especially if you’re a rookie. We’re here to help. If you’re heading to New Orleans for NARdi Gras in November, follow these tips for the most productive, comfortable, and truly memorable convention experience ever.
BY KELLY QUIGLEY
Whenever you get more than 25,000 real estate practitioners and guests in one place — let alone in New Orleans — it’s sure to be a fun time. Add to the mix more than 600 exhibitors, throw in 200-plus conference sessions, and spice it up with some great entertainment and restaurants, and you have a recipe for a great four days in the Crescent City. But to really squeeze the most out of this year’s REALTORS® Conference & Expo, Nov. 10-13, you need a plan. This information-packed primer will fill you in on what to bring, events you can’t miss, and prime networking opportunities. As for as how to have fun, we trust you have that covered.
Before You Leave
Create a schedule. Review the online conference schedule and decide which sessions and events you’d like to attend. It helps to have an idea of what you’d like to accomplish before you arrive. If you’re going with others from your brokerage, you may want to spread out at different sessions and report back to one another on the key points. Use the Event Planner to plot out each day and print out your schedule or access it from the Web.
Get in touch with far-away friends. Call or e-mail real estate professionals who you know in different cities to see if they’ll be in New Orleans. If they are, make plans to meet — for coffee, dinner, or perhaps the REALTORS® Celebrity Concert on Sunday night. Not only will you have a posse for the conference, you’ll strengthen your referral network.
Set Expo priorities. Are there products or services that you or your colleagues would like to purchase or upgrade? Review the exhibitor list for vendors that offer the products or services you’re seeking. Then, write down their booth numbers so you can find them more easily at the Expo. Also, look for conference sessions on related topics that will help you with your vendor visits. Look for speakers who are also exhibitors, user-group sessions for specific products, and hands-on training at the Technology Learning Center for various technology tools and software.
Get your business house in order. While you certainly conduct business while you’re in New Orleans, you’ll get more from your visit if you aren’t constantly running out of education sessions to answer calls. For peace of mind and fewer interruptions, notify clients that you’ll be out of town for a few days and have a backup person in your office who can handle unexpected issues that come up back at home.
Pack Smart
Check the weather. The average high temperature from Nov. 10-13 in New Orleans is 72 degrees, according to the Weather Channel. Typically, the city gets about 5.1 inches of rain in November, less than most months. But surprises can happen. Check the weather forecast before you leave so you’re prepared for what’s in store.
Pack comfortable walking shoes. When you consider the distance to and from your hotel and the events in the 1.1-million-square-foot Ernest M. Morial Convention Center, plus an evening stroll along Bourbon Street, you’ll want to leave those tight dress shoes at home. Bring two pairs of comfy shoes so that if you get blisters from one pair, you have another option the next day. Note: The free conference shuttle service will spare you the walk to and from the convention center each day so you can save your energy for roaming the Expo.
Bring lots of business cards. Stock up ahead of time so you can hand out cards at every opportunity; you don’t want to run out. Make sure your business card has your current phone number, e-mail address, and Web site address.
Don’t forget the chargers! Your legs won’t be the only thing getting a workout at convention. Your cell phone, laptop, and PDA will be your lifelines to business back home, as well as a handy way for you to get in touch with fellow attendees and access convention information. So don’t run out of juice.
Leave space in your suitcase. You’ll be inundated with valuable handouts, product information, knickknacks from the Expo and business cards from everyone you meet. Make sure there’s enough room in your suitcase or carry-on for those business essentials, plus any souvenirs. Or save your back and ship all your goodies home through your hotel’s business center.
Once You Get There
BYOS (Bring Your Own Snacks). Food and drinks are pricey at convention centers, and lines tend to be long. To keep from spending a lot of money and time on a midday snack, stop at a local convenience store and pick up some granola bars and bottles of water to throw in your bag. A bonus: By steering clear of the concession stands, you’ll also avoid the temptation of high-calorie treats.
Choose a meeting spot. If you’re attending with a group, or even just another colleague, choose a location at the convention center to meet for lunch or at other designated times. Mobile-phone service can be spotty at convention centers, so you can’t rely on your phone or PDA alone to coordinate meetings.
Scan badges with an eye for opportunity. Everyone, including you, will be wearing a name badge throughout the conference. By reading others’ badges, you can decide who to approach for conversation and networking. Think of referral opportunities; if you’re from Florida, for example, look for attendees from cold-weather states, where buyers may be looking for a winter getaway.
Send daily updates to the office. If you wait until the conference is over before writing down the most important things you learned, you’ll likely forget the helpful tidbits and interesting ideas from each session. Instead, set time aside at the end of each day, or after a great session, to e-mail your office a quick note with the most valuable information you just learned.
Don’t be shy. Real estate practitioners are a sociable crowd. Even if you’re usually an introvert, it’s easy to meet new friends at every turn during the conference. Introduce yourself to your seatmate on the shuttle buses, the people sitting around you at convention sessions, those standing in line with you, and anyone else who catches your eye. It never hurts to smile and say hello.
Events You Can’t Miss
Friday morning rev-up session. Get a head start on meeting other conference attendees. This high-energy session, 8-8:45 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 10, will maximize your experience. Master networker Lillian D. Bjorseth gives pointers on how to build your referral network and boost your comfort level by introducing yourself to others at opportune times. You’ll also learn how to comparison shop at the Expo.
The Expo’s grand opening gala. The grand opening, 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 10, is a key time to socialize and take in the excitement of the show floor. Need more reasons to attend? How about free hurricane cocktails, prizes, giveaways, and the chance to shop among the 600-plus exhibitors.
Rebuild New Orleans. You’re invited to participate in a variety of rebuilding and renovation efforts in the areas that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Activities take place Tuesday, Nov. 7 through Tuesday, Nov. 14 (except Sunday, when no activities are planned). Bus transportation to all project sites from the convention center will be provided by NAR, and box lunches will be served for all full-day activities.
Two presidents, one stage. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see two former U.S. presidents,George H.W. Bush and William J. Clinton , together on one stage. The former presidents joined together for U.S. relief efforts after the 2004 Asian tsunami, then turned their efforts to the storm-ravaged Gulf Coast. They’ll jointly address the all-attendee General Session at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11.
NARdi Gras on Bourbon Street. Enjoy music, nightlife, and a special parade on the street that made New Orleans famous. You’ll get a free T-shirt in your registration bag to wear to this event, which follows the General Session on Saturday, Nov. 11. Music begins at 9 p.m., and the parade steps off from Iberville and Bourbon streets at 9:30 p.m.
Harry Connick Jr. in his hometown. You won’t want to miss this Grammy and Emmy Award-winning performer as he gets back to his roots in New Orleans. Connick — a musician, singer, composer, actor, and now Broadway star — will perform from 8:30-10 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12. The REALTORS® Celebrity Concert is free to all full-conference attendees.
Remember, the early bird gets the good seat. The Celebrity Concert and General Session will draw huge crowds. Seats will go fast — good seats, even faster. For a prime spot, arrive early and wait for the doors to open. Don’t count on meeting up with friends who are saving you a spot; the crowds will make it difficult to find your group and difficult for your buddies to keep a seat open.
When You Get Back Home
Keep up the momentum. Before the rush of day-to-day business takes over, create a personal action-item list of the top three to five things that you learned at the conference. Set a timeline for implementation. On your list, jot down ideas from related sessions so they’ll stay fresh. For tips on putting your new knowledge into action, attend Rev Up Your Power to Implement Change, a session from 8-8:45 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 13.
Stay in touch. Organize all of the business cards you collected throughout the conference. Send a quick e-mail to each person to say you enjoyed meeting them and appreciate referrals. If you have digital photos of a conference event the two of you attended together, send that along, too.
Share information with the office. Arrange a brief meeting at your brokerage office to distribute copies of handouts, share product information, and talk about the most important things you learned at the conference. Review your Event Planner to recall the various sessions and events you attended. To make the meeting more entertaining, hand out NARdi Gras beads and create a slideshow of conference photos.
More Information
NARdi Gras Home Page: REALTOR.org/convention
New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau
