Insider’s Guide to #NARAnnual REALTORS Conference & Expo

We’re less than a week away from the 2014 REALTORS® Conference & Expo, and we can hardly wait! Not only will we get to network with some amazing real estate agents, but we’ll also get to visit New Orleans.

If you’re one of the 17,000 attendees going to the conference, you’ll have the chance to visit 400 vendors on the exhibit floor (be sure to come see us at booth 1154 to get a sneak peek of zipLogix Digital Ink’s new mobile signing mode). You’ll also be able to choose from 100 educational sessions!

Feeling overwhelmed yet? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! We’ve compiled all the information you’ll need to make your trip to New Orleans a success.

Get to Know the Speakers

Mark Kelly is a retired astronaut, but didn't become a public figure until his family was hit by tragedy. Three and a half years ago, Mark’s life changed when his wife Gabrielle Giffords, a former Arizona congresswoman, was critically injured in a shooting spree. Mark will talk about triumphing in the face of the unthinkable.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee retired from athletic competition in 2000, but the six-time Olympic medalist is still all about winning. The former track-and-field star is focused on helping young people in her hometown be the best they can be, regardless of the obstacles. 

Candy Chang’s public art projects feed off of community. Her 2010 “I Wish This Was” project gave New Orleans residents the chance to use fill-in-the-blank stickers and place them on vacant storefronts. Chang will give insights on how real estate professionals can influence how public spaces develop.

John Besh, a restaurant maverick and chef, played a key role in the cultural revitalization of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. He owns six restaurants in New Orleans, and he’s proud of the role he’s played in the city’s turnaround.

Sara Critchfield, the editorial director of Upworthy, is busting myths about what makes successful online content. She says it has a lot less to do with punchy headlines and catchy videos and more to do with providing relevant, interesting information.

Apps to Download

NAR Annual Mobile App—The NAR Annual Mobile App is a fast and easy way to navigate the conference from your smartphone. With this app, you can access session descriptions, meeting schedules, exhibitor information and more!

Twitter—If you don't have Twitter on your mobile devices yet, you should try it out during this conference. Many attendees will be using #NARAnnual to network with attendees and vendors. You’ll also probably want to tweet (or retweet) some insights you learn at one of the many educational sessions. Be sure to use #NARAnnual so other people attending the conference can see what you’re posting. And while you’re at it, follow @signixsolutions to keep updated on conference news as it happens.  

Evernote—You’ll probably be taking lots of notes during the conference. While some people don’t want to ditch the pen and paper, you might want to try something more high-tech. With Evernote, you can sync notes between all of your devices. That way you can take notes on your smartphone and view them later on a larger screen.

Yelp—Don’t spend much time in New Orleans? No problem! You can eat like a local by using the Yelp app. Yelp can help you find a restaurant near you and shows you reviews by other diners. Plus, you can sort options by price, type of food and more.

Networking Tips

A lot of people will be coming to the REALTOR Conference & Expo with coworkers, and it’s easy to stay comfortable in your small group of peers. But one of the greatest things about conferences is the chance to connect with like-minded real estate agents.

Meals, breaks and happy hours are a great time to break out of your comfort zone and start talking to other real estate professionals. Here are some networking tips to make sure you get the most out of the conference:

Set networking goals. Instead of aimlessly wandering the halls looking for someone to “network with,” think about your personal networking goals. Are you looking for an established industry leader to serve as a mentor? Want to find new products or services? Looking for other real estate agents in your area? If you don’t have a plan, you probably won’t leave the conference with connections that fit your needs. 

Reach out to attendees before the conference starts. If you have Twitter, this can be as easy as sending a message to someone you know will be attending and ask if they’d like to meet at the conference. Just follow #NARAnnual to see who’s talking about the conference.

Send follow-up messages. Once you meet someone at the conference, it’s a good idea to send a tweet, email or LinkedIn message to let the person know you want keep in touch.

Advice for First-Timers

What to Bring

• Lots of business cards for networking (make sure they have a surface that is easy to write on)
• At least two pairs of comfortable shoes
• A sweater or light jacket for air conditioned meeting rooms
• Black tie attire if you plan to attend the Inaugural Gala
• A copy of your registration and hotel confirmation email, which will be needed on site

How to Plan Your Schedule

Use NAR’s Event Planner tool (you can find it on the right side of this page) to create your personalized schedule. Once you’ve created it on your computer, you can sync your Event Planner with the NAR Annual Mobile App.

What to Do When You Arrive at the Conference

First, find out where the shuttle bus pick-up is for your hotel. Then visit NAR Registration at the Morial Convention Center to pick up your badge/tickets and registration materials. 

Expo Information

This expo is the largest trade show floor in the real estate industry. Exhibitors will highlight innovations and ideas to make real estate agents’ jobs easier. Here’s what you need to know about the expo:

Expo Hours

• Friday 3 to 6 p.m. (Grand Opening)
• Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Monday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Expo Special Events

• Expo Grand Opening
  • When: Friday from 3 to 6 p.m.
  • Why Go: Enjoy live music and complimentary drinks while networking with peers and exhibitors
• Expo Hall Coffee Break
  • When: Saturday at 9 a.m.
  • Why Go: Free coffee! Need we say more? Coffee will be served throughout the expo hall and in sponsor Chrysler's Booth #821 while supplies last.
• Sunday Morning Beignet Break
  • When: Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
  • Why Go: Start your last morning in New Orleans with a beignet! Beignets will be served in PNC Mortgage’s Booth #2023 and at two stations on the expo floor while supplies last.

We hope you enjoy the conference, and don't forget to come see us at booth 1154 to get a sneak peek of zipLogix Digital Ink’s new mobile signing mode!