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This page provides course and track information for AE Institute 2013.
Programming Tracks
Track 1: The New Tools of the Trade
Track 2: Seeing Things in New Ways
Track 3: The Shape of Things to Come
Track 1: The New Tools of the Trade
These sessions will help shape your association's social media strategy and allow you to take technology to the next level. Gain some hands-on experience with some of the newest gadgets to help get your message out and better connect with members. New technologies afford new ways of doing business. Learn how technology can increase your efficiency so you make the best use of your time and the association's budget dollars. You'll also see how sharing services with neighboring associations can be one of your strongest, untapped member benefits.
Saturday, March 16
Don’t Ask (Unless You’re Ready for the Answer!)
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Melynn Sight, President, NSight Marketing Inc., Leawood, KS
Surveying members can be daunting. “What do I do with all that feedback? What does it really mean?” When you incorporate survey data into an annual association communications plan, you’ll have a method in place to learn what your members want. In addition, you can track the association’s progress in meeting those member expectations and needs. Knowing what they want will help you deliver the right member services for the right times.
Connect with Your Members in Just 30 Minutes a Week
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Bill Lublin, CRB, CRS, GRI, e-PRO, CEO, Social Media Marketing Institute, Huntington Valley, PA
With a minimal investment of time and resources, you can create a simple outreach plan to engage members and foster a greater sense of community. Discover how tools like Hootsuite, Bottlenose, Nutshell Mail, Alternion, and others can help you implement a simple communications strategy and measure its results. Learn how to use existing staff and resources to create a plan that fosters member drive, engagement, and communications.
Shared Services: Low Cost, High Return
1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Alice Martin, RCE, CAE, GRI, CEO, Martin Consulting Solutions, Chicago, IL
Did you know that NAR offers resources to help neighboring associations work together to provide cost-efficient member services? No? Don’t feel bad, many of your peers don’t either. Join Alice Martin as she walks you through NAR’s shared services resources, and learn how your association can do more for your members while expending fewer resources.
Information Security: Tools of the Trade for Media Success
2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Barbara Matthopoulos, Senior Director of Communications and Media Relations, Chicago Association of REALTORS®, IL
Building successful media relationships requires a little know-how. Let this session give you some tried and true methods to help you develop a successful media relations plan. Learn how to build effective relationships with local media, how to build a solid media outreach plan, and take a crash course on crisis communication. You’ll also learn how to leverage your association’s messaging with earned media.
Sunday, March 17 – RCE Apparel Day
When Imitation Isn’t Flattering ... Intellectual Property Law for AEs Who Hate Lawsuits
9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Trista Curydlo, Owner, C4 Consulting LLC, Basehor, KS
You know you’re a jack of all trades and as such, some things might not receive your full attention. If intellectual property rights is one of those things, then you’re in luck. This session will help you identify best practices so you design and present information and resources that don’t infringe upon others’ intellectual property rights. Determine how to identify works that may be subject to copyright protection and the right of the authors in copyrighted work. Discover how and where to obtain copyrighted materials to use on your website and in your publications. Learn how to decide if your materials comply with copyright laws, and how to remedy any potential violations.
How the MLS of Tomorrow Affects Your Association Today
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Art Carter, CEO, California Regional MLS, CA; Kevin McQueen, President, Focus Forward, Denver, CO; and David Charron, President & CEO, MRIS, Rockville, MD
This session will share some current and future perspectives on MLS.
Let’s Get Coaching
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Peter Diamond, Executive Coach, Peter C. Diamond, LLC, Chicago, IL
Coaching has become an important skill set in today’s workforce. But what does it mean and how do you get started? Let this session help you approach the coaching conversation from a new perspective. Improve your listening skills and be more in the moment, and learn how to ask the powerful questions. These skills will transcend over to your relationships and communications with the board of directors, staff, and leadership.
Let’s Get Coaching – Implementation Session
2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Peter Diamond, Executive Coach, Peter C. Diamond, LLC, Chicago, IL
This implementation session allows you to receive more one-on-one instruction about the coaching conversation.
Monday, March 18 – AE Institute Apparel Day
Move to the Cloud
9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Mark Porter, Mark Porter Live, Lewisville TX
Cloud computing is one of many new catch-phrases in the business world. But what is it? This session will give you an overview of cloud computing so you understand it and how it might benefit your association operations. This session can provide the “next steps” so you can compare various service providers and learn how cloud computing can enhance your association operations. It’s time to move to the cloud.
What Every AE Needs to Know About Social Media and Branding
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Sasha Strauss, Founder and Managing Director, Innovation Protocol, Los Angeles, CA
Social media is an ecosystem of individuals, groups, and communities that engage each other through various forms of media. As an AE, you should know that your association brand plays an important role in all of this. Strauss will use the success stories of popular brands to show you where social media fits into your brand. Discover how to create effective value generation social media strategies with the emphasis on building brand equity. See how brands such as Starbucks, Best Buy, and Hilton use these tools to build their brands in social media.
Tech Tools and Toys for Girls and Boys
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Keith Garner, Vice President, Information Technology Services, NAR, and Panel
Listen in on this lively conversation as real estate industry geeks share their favorite technology innovations. It will be like an episode of “The Big Bang Theory.” Discover why doing things the old way is costing you time and money. Learn about life-enhancing innovative new technologies that you can use at your association and in your home today. You are guaranteed to walk away with new ideas to make you a more efficient and effective association executive.
Tech Tools and Toys for Girls and Boys – Implementation Session
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Keith Garner, Vice President, Information Technology Services, NAR, and Panel
This implementation session offers you a chance to demo some new technologies in a hands-on environment, as well as have your questions answered.
Tuesday, March 19
Use Technology to Effectively Get Your Message Across
8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Dawn Kennedy, RCE, CEO, St. Louis Association of REALTORS®, St. Louis, MO
NAR’s REALTOR® University Master of Real Estate (MRE) degree program and its Real Estate Association Management concentration have classes full of takeaway ideas that you can use to deliver your association message. Join Dawn Kennedy as she explores some of these take-aways, such as defining the goals of engagement and communication using the web; defining your communication strategy; and understanding Internet analytics from a result and cost perspective.
How to Write an NAR Grant Request and Receive up to $25,000
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Kyle Lambert-London, RCE, CAE, Campaign Services Manager, NAR and Hugh Morris, LEED AP, AICP, Smart Growth Community Outreach Representative, NAR
Thanks to NAR’s REALTOR® Party, you can fund many of your best community outreach, RPAC, and political programs. REALTOR® Party offers grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 to fund anything from association courses to RPAC events, to unique new initiatives developed by your association. The catch: You need to effectively pitch your ideas. Attend this session to uncover the tips and tricks to effective grant writing and claim your association’s piece of the pie.
Track 2: Seeing Things in New Ways
This track focuses on some new observations, interpretations, and solutions for common challenges AEs face in both their professional and personal life. Gain some practical association management advice that ensures you and your leadership are on the right path to meet member needs and increase their profitability. Learn how you and your leadership can take ownership of the association, and how the biggest mistakes can turn into the best mistakes for your association. Glean information on MLS syndication, digital security, body language, and diversity. Let these classes round out your association management background.
Saturday, March 16
Design a Life Worth Smiling About
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Darryl Davis, Darryl Davis Seminars, Wading River, NY
Today’s business world demands that you have the skills to face stress and move through it to get to the other side. Let Darryl reveal how everyone in your association can effectively address stress, have more fun, and stay focused on the association’s important objectives. Remember, a happy staff means a productive staff.
Show Me the Money
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Christine Todd, RCE, CAE, CIPS, CEO, Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS®
Watch your peers act out the do’s and don’ts of the performance evaluation process and gain a first-hand glimpse at those sometimes uncomfortable discussions regarding salary, bonuses, and fringe benefits. This demonstration will model how to professionally advocate for yourself during a performance evaluation. Learn how to prepare you and your leadership for the process; how to negotiate from a position of strength rather than fear; and how to attain insight into successfully negotiating compensation to reach the best outcome for everyone.
Boardology: Five Board Failures, Five Board Fixes
1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Holly Duckworth, CAE, CMP, CEO, Leadership Solutions International, Lake Oswego, OR
How do the right people with the right skills serve in the right leadership seats at your association? When staff and volunteers move in the same direction, good things happen. The session addresses how to clearly communicate goals to staff and volunteers so everyone works toward the same outcome. This involves assessing where your board of directors is now, relative to its mission, and learning key goal-setting and strategic-planning strategies. Glean tips and resources to meld volunteers and staff into one board with a common vision.
Intrapreneurism: Bring Ownership Principles to Your Association
2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Jared James, President, Jared James Enterprises, Milford, CT
Many associations focus on exterior factors over which they have no control, like the market. But what separates high-level companies and their ability to grow during any climate is their focus on what they can control. Learn how to control not only your environment, but the environment of those around you, and understand the role that psychology and physiology play in your and your association’s success. Jared will show you how a little introspection can go a long way in developing some sound business/operational strategies that will serve your members through the best of times and the worst of times.
Sunday, March 17 – RCE Apparel Day
MLS Syndication – Are You In or Out?
9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Jim Abbott, President and Managing Broker, ARG Abbott Realty Group, San Diego, CA
MLS syndication. You’ve heard the phrase; maybe even used it in a sentence. But deep inside you know that you don’t really get what the hubbub is about. Get the straight scoop on MLS syndication. Does it maintain the competitive edge, or cause you to lose control of the data? Who really benefits from syndication? Gain a better understanding of MLS syndication and learn why some brokers embrace the concept and others reject it, and take a glimpse at what the MLS world would be like without it. Even if your association doesn’t have an MLS, you need to hear what this is all about.
If You Can’t Sell It, Don’t Build It
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Roger Turcotte, CDEI, GRI, DREI, Owner, Roger Turcotte and CO., LLC, Contoocook, NH
“Build it and they will come” might work in the movies, but it doesn’t work in the association world. Members only derive a benefit from a resource when they use it, and members will only use a product/resource or attend an event is if it is marketed effectively. Understand the concepts of primary and secondary markets as well as the difference between informational and motivational marketing. Discover how to define the customer segments within your organization, and how to create easy-to-use, multi-faceted marketing pieces that generate great results.
Six Breakthrough Ways to Think, Lead and Achieve
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Gabriel Eckert, CAE, Executive Director, Building Owners and Managers Association of Georgia, Atlanta, GA
Leadership strategies of the past are so last year. Today’s leaders must learn new ways to think, lead, and achieve. Use this dynamic decision-making model to explore new ways to make decisions. Learn how to understand and lead change. Embrace this leadership competency and positively impact your board of directors and your organization.
If You Can’t Sell It, Don’t Build It – Implementation Session
2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Roger Turcotte, CDEI, GRI, DREI, Owner, Roger Turcotte and CO., LLC, Contoocook, NH
This implementation session delves into more details of Roger Turcotte’s customized membership programs and marketing techniques.
Monday, March 18 – AE Institute Apparel Day
New Perspectives for Small Associations
9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Cindy Miller, RCE, Director of Communications, North Texas Real Estate Information Systems, Dallas, TX
Small associations may find it especially challenging to stay relevant. Gain tips for how small associations can harness their strength to make positive changes and continue to deliver value to their members. Examine issues that make it beneficial for associations to share services, while managing volunteer leadership expectations along the way. Discover some low-cost management tools, and learn how to keep volunteer leaders continually engaged in the discussion so the association remains relevant.
The Power of Body Language
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Patti Wood, CSP, Communication Dynamics, Decatur, GA
What are the first impressions you make when you meet someone? Do you know the secrets to improve the first five minutes of any interaction? Learn to establish rapport using the seven principals of body language so you can accurately assess others. Gain your members’ attention with four first-impression factors. Learn the three pillars of positive power without raising your fists or your voice. And unlock the mystery behind body language and how it can affect people's credibility and negotiating skills.
Presentation Skills Coaching
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Juliet Funt, President, Talking on Purpose, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
This session will cover some basic presentation skill elements and help you handle push-back to your messages, whether it be from members, staff, or directors. Learn how to present controversial or difficult information in a way that garners respect and gets the message across without offending.
New Perspectives for Small Associations – Implementation Session
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Cindy Miller, RCE, Director of Communications, North Texas Real Estate Information Systems, Dallas, TX
This implementation session will show small association AEs how to develop a specific plan for their association that can be shared with the board when they return to the office.
Tuesday, March 19
Protect Your Personal Information in the Digital Era
8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Jason Beatty, Managing Director, Technical Infrastructure, ITS, NAR
Do you have “digital street smarts?” Or, are you a digital mugging waiting to happen? So many people have common sense when it comes to watching their money and their behavior in the physical world, but they don’t always exercise the same judgment in the online world. Jason will show you how to safeguard your online exchanges to ensure that you steer clear of the latest security threats. He’ll also show you where to find the latest security resources so you stay protected. Lastly, he’ll help you develop a plan should you suffer a security breach so you can issue a quick and effective response without panicking.
A New Approach to Diversity and Leadership
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Charles McMillan, GRI, CIPS, TRC, President, CMcMillan Presentations, LLC., Fort Worth, TX
When you look at your membership, what do you see? Do you see and appreciate the diversity it offers? If you do, then the next step is to harness that diversity and develop and grow a leadership team that mirrors it. Let Charles McMillan help you translate your membership’s diversity into a diverse leadership team that is attuned to member needs and can take your association in amazing directions.
Track 3: The Shape of Things to Come
Take a look at what's on the horizon for REALTOR® associations and the industry in general. Explore the output of the AEC Strategic Issues Work Group's report, "Simplify: Real Estate Trends in a Time of Uncertainty," and how your association can implement some of the trends identified in the report. Listen to experts share how to position your association to take advantage of the bounce back in the housing market, and how to become a leaner, stronger association. Pick up some new ideas for placing seasoned volunteers in the right roles, and for cultivating new volunteer leaders. Let these classes spark your imagination and teach you that if you're flexible and ready to embrace change, anything is possible.
Saturday, March 16
More Face Time, Less Screen Time
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Terri Tucker, Owner, Tucker Resources, Kimberling City, MO
The more time we spend in front of a screen, whether on our smart phones or on our PCs, the less time we spend in face-to-face conversations. It’s time to revisit the importance of those face-to-face conversations and remember what it’s like to be awake in, and appreciate the power of, the moment. In the moment there are opportunities to develop human connections that last a lifetime and can play a vital role in our individual success. In addition to learning how to identify the elements that belong within your success equation, you’ll discover how you, as a leader, must awaken significance and enthusiasm in others to be successful, which is the true definition of altruistic leadership.
Members Won’t Tell You but Your Data Will
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Breanna Vanstrom, RCE, Director of Business Development & CRM, 10K Research and Marketing (a division of the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS®), Edina, MN
Members won’t necessarily tell you what they want from the association, but the data you have about them will. Believe it or not, your databases can give you more than enough insight into who your members are, which programs and services they use, and which they don’t. Tap into those databases for more effective member retention, event marketing, leadership recruitment, and government affairs engagement. Learn how to use data you already have to support your association management decisions.
After Shift
1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Tom Gillett, ABR, GRI, President, The Tom Gillett Company, Inc.
The American economy, led by real estate, has dramatically changed over the past five years. Only those REALTOR® associations with an informed and prepared AE at the helm can take full advantage of the change, or after shift. Attendees will learn to identify five unique opportunities for AEs and members in this new economy, and how to act upon those opportunities. As the economy improves, so will your association.
There’s No Font for Sarcasm….Managing a Multi-Generational Workplace
2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Trista Curydlo, Owner, C4 Consulting LLC, Basehor, KS
Can u be #dooced 4 that tweet? LOL staff mtngs r so old skool. Different experiences and demographics shape employee work ethics and motivation. This course examines how generational cohorts work together and against each other, and helps every employee develop a new approach to communicating and working effectively with others. Drawing on the experiences of an AE and former association legal counsel, this course is the perfect mix of theory and practice to help ensure your association communications reinforce its workplace culture.
Sunday, March 17 – RCE Apparel Day
Trends Simplified
9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Jerry Matthews, Jerry Matthews Advisor, Windermere, FL
The Association Executives Committee’s 2012 Strategic Issues Work Group identified eight emerging trends and issues that will have a significant impact on the real estate industry in the near future. Join Jerry Matthews for this high-level overview of those eight trends that encompass the concepts of simplify, consolidate, collaborate, enrich, dream, embrace, leadership, and evolve.
How to Attract and Prepare Tomorrow’s Leaders
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Sheila Birnbach, President & CEO Birnbach Success Solutions, Bethesda, MD
Despite the critical need for volunteer leaders, many board and staff actions can discourage their participation. Given the diversity of our society and the presence of four generations in the workforce, a strategic approach to develop future leaders is crucial to association survival. You will take away key steps to attract and develop leaders, and the necessary resources to build a volunteer development program.
All Dressed up with Nothing to Post
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Ben Martin, CAE, Product & Community Manager, Avectra, McLean, VA
You’re trying to keep up with all of the social media outlets at your disposal, but how do you know which to engage and which to avoid? Once you determine where you want your presence to be, how do you keep the content flowing to all of those sites? Take a deep breath, take it one step at a time, and consider adopting a content curation strategy. Let Ben give you a quick overview of what’s at your disposal, and how to determine the good and the bad, and what to avoid all together. Then discover how to find interesting and informative material for a rich social media presence.
Trends Simplified – Synergy Implementation Session
2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Jerry Matthews, Jerry Matthews Advisory, Windermere, FL
This implementation session highlights the consolidation trend and explores the major consolidation types (absorption, merger, overlay, alliance, and cooperation). Learn the process steps, nuances, and five major issues that must be addressed.
Monday, March 18 – AE Institute Apparel Day
Leaner and Meaner: The REALTOR® Association of the Future?
9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Robert Hahn, President & CEO, 7DS Technologies, Sugar Land, TX
Remaining relevant is a top priority for all REALTOR® associations, especially in light of shifts in the economy and government policy, and the fast pace of technology. But what does it take to remain relevant? Join Rob Hahn as he leads you through a discussion of what REALTOR® associations may look like in the future, and what they may need to do to provide member value. Attend this session and be a part of the solution.
Make the Most of Your Electronic Newsletter
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Beth Ziesenis, Your Nerdy Best Friend, San Diego, CA
Electronic newsletters are a great way to keep in touch with your members, but they can monopolize more of your time than you expect. How do you know if your newsletter is effective? Let Beth guide you through the process as you discover how to find the right balance of content, where to get pictures, what a newsletter service will cost, and the best time/day to post your newsletter so your members read it.
Use Past Presidents as Organizational Janitors
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Ron Phipps, ABR, GRI, CRS, Green, Phipps4M Realty, Warwick, RI
Join past NAR President Ron Phipps as he examines the relationship between your current volunteer leaders and past leaders. When past leaders aren’t put to good use, they may create distractions that pull you away from your main focus. Let Ron share some tips with you to eliminate those distractions. Learn ways to leverage the clout and expertise of past leadership to ensure their continued participation is helpful, not harmful, and of value to them and the association.
A Side-by-Side Look at the Industry
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Dale Stinton, RCE, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, National Association of REALTORS® and Robert Hahn, Founder and Managing Partner, 7DS Associates, Sugar Land, TX
This session will share some current perspectives on the real estate industry and the REALTOR® organization.
Tuesday, March 19
The “Weighting” Game
8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Hilary Marsh, Chief Digital & Content Strategist, Content Company, Inc., Chicago, IL and Lisa Walker, Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Florida REALTORS® Association
AEs are inundated with requests to offer the latest tech tools, channels, and trends. While they may seem like great ideas, it’s not smart, or practical, to adopt all of them. Modeled on the vintage TV show “The Dating Game,” this interactive session will help AEs decide which new tools, trends, and channels make the most sense for their associations and why. Attend and learn how to adopt new communication tools and channels in a smart, sustainable way.
Make Your Association the Catalyst for Change
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Karel Murray, CSP, DREI, ABR, CRB, CRS, GRI, e-PRO, President, Our Branch, Inc., Waterloo, IA
Embracing change as a way of life creates vibrancy in an association. It can also be a bit overwhelming. Hear concepts from today’s top thought leaders about how to embrace new technologies and communication avenues that will keep you relevant without feeling overwhelmed. Gain the confidence you need to maximize your association and membership connections using the tools of today.