RISMedia & the Top 5 in Real Estate Network’s Leadership Conference


Wednesday, September 9th

11:00-11:30 a.m.
Maximizing Your Top 5 Membership
From the Real Estate Social Networking System to Top 5’s consumer materials and online offerings, learn how to make the most of your Top 5 membership.

Presenter: Cathleen Stack, VP of Member Development, RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network(R)

12:00-2 p.m.
Town Hall Meeting and Luncheon for Top 5 Members (invitation-only)
Come meet Top 5’s Executive Team and Board of Advisors at this private, members-only meeting and luncheon. A great way to kick off the conference, attendees will have the opportunity to network with fellow Top 5 Members and also get up close and personal with the Top 5 leadership.

2:30-5:15 p.m.
Opening Session:
Preparing for Tomorrow…Today – “The Perspective of Industry Leaders”

A National Perspective
One thing the real estate market has shown us over the past few years is to expect the unexpected. In the first of two discussions, top industry prognosticators will address topics including: the breakdown of the market opportunities today…and into 2010; banks, REOs, lending and working with Realtors; credit challenges.

Facilitators:
Ed Krafchow, President, Prudential CA/NV/TX Realty
John Tuccillo, President, John Tuccillo & Associates

State of the Industry: Alex Perriello, President & CEO, Realogy Franchise Group

Panelists:
Gino Blefari, Founder, President & CEO, Intero Real Estate Services
Tami Bonnell, U.S. President, EXIT Realty Corp.
Sherry Chris, President & CEO, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
Joe Jackson, CEO, Wells Fargo Ventures
Jeff Mandel, President & CEO, ApprovalGuard
Carter Murdoch, SVP, Bank of AmericaAmerica
Rick Sharga, SVP, RealtyTrac

The Regional Perspective
The business done on the local and regional levels could be considered being in the trenches, so to speak. In our second discussion, industry executives delve into the business of real estate in 2009, including: expanding your brand in the middle of the recession; risk vs. reward in today’s marketplace; and energizing a battle-scared agent base.

Panelists:
Bill Keleher, Chairman & CEO, Prudential New Jersey Properties
Rei Mesa, President & COO, Prudential Florida Realty
Greg Rand, Managing Partner, Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty
Dick Schlott, Chairman & CEO, Gloria Nilson GMAC Real Estate
J. Lennox Scott, Chairman & CEO, John L. Scott Real Estate

Closing Summary and A Look Ahead to Thursday:
John Featherston, President & CEO, RISMedia; Chairman and Co-founder, RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network®
Allan Dalton, President and Co-founder, RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network®


Thursday, September 10, 2009

9:00-10:15 a.m.

Goals, Strategies and Tactics for Leading Agents to Significantly Increase Their Income
Do you want to increase your annual income and be successful in your career? Do you have the tools to do so? In this special keynote address, listen as Top 5’s Allan Dalton and John Featherston illustrate how now-more than ever-it is imperative that you arm yourself with the right tools and systems to move ahead…and be the most successful agent you can be.

Keynote Speakers:
John Featherston, President & CEO, RISMedia; Chairman and Co-founder, RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network®
Allan Dalton, President & Co-founder, RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network®

How Companies Can Be Profitable or Perish – Consolidation and Cost-Effective Ideas from Leading Brokers
The terms “consolidation” and “cost-cutting” have become commonplace in today’s real estate reality. Still, there is money to be made. But where…and how? How can brokers and their companies be profitable-even in this market? During this session, top industry thought leaders will answer these questions and even share some of their own survival strategies.

Facilitator: John Heithaus, SVP, Sales & Marketing, Sentrilock

Panelists:
Ken Baris, President, Jordan Baris Realtors
Georgianna Finn, Broker/Owner, Coach Realtors
Bob Albanese, VP, Strategic Services, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
Larry Liebross, President, Parkside Properties
Helen Sosso, President, Prudential Palms Realty

10:30-11:45 a.m.

Learn from the Best: Top 5 Members Best Practices
Agents’ drive and dedication to real estate have been tested these past two years like never before in the history of the industry. What do these agents have that others do not? They have the knowledge and wherewithal to tackle expired listings and short sales, and have learned how to truly reprice their listings to get the sale closed. Here, learn from top producers on how they’re making money despite the economic challenges that surround us.

Facilitator: Allan Dalton, President and Co-founder, RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network®

Panelists:
Brett Billington, Realtor, RE/MAX Gateway
Kent Eley, Realtor, Century 21 Millennium
Danny Griffin, Broker/Owner, The Griffin Realty Group
Julie Vanderblue, President, The Higgins Group
Rosemary West, Team Leader, The Rosemary West Team, RE/MAX of Joliet
Inga Wilson, Realtor, VIP Realty Group

The Luxury Market in Recessionary Times – How to Make it Work
The talk about luxury properties has taken a backseat to issues such as the first-time homeowners’ tax credit, foreclosures and the economic woes that many are facing. However, despite falling below the radar, these homes are still selling…agents just need to know how to sell them. In this session, learn from top producers in luxury home sales as they discuss strategies for selling even the most expensive-and expansive-homes.

Facilitator: Georgianna Finn, Broker/Owner, Coach Realtors

Panelists:
Pat Geoghegan, Realtor, Houlihan Lawrence
Patty McCarthy, Realtor, William Raveis Real Estate
Melanie Smith, Realtor, Prudential Connecticut Realty
Michael Snyder, Realtor, Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty

Measuring Your Advertising ROI and Allocating Your Media Spend Wisely
Based on your own marketing objectives, personal goals and budget, how are you ensuring that your invest your media dollars wisely? In this panel, top real estate advertising experts pair up with successful real estate professionals to discuss how they allocate their media spend across a growing number of options based on both ROI and ROE (Return on Effort). How do social media, traditional advertising and personal branding strategies translate into closed transactions-whether you consider yourself a general all-around agent, listing specialist, buyer’s agent or broker?

Facilitator: Scott Dixon, President of the Real Estate Division, Network Communications

Panelists:
Stephen Fells, CEO, AgencyLogic
Kim Gifford, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Prem Luthra, Chief Strategy Officer and Sales Officer, LPS Real Estate Group
Christy May, Realtor, RE/MAX Landmark
Pat Neville, Associate Broker, Prudential Holmes & Kennedy
Camilla Sullivan, SVP of Marketing, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate

Tips and Tricks for Listing Presentations
What makes a seller decide to list with you? What is different about your listing presentation and what do you convey in it that makes for such a convincing argument? Are you selling yourself, your skills? In this session, learn from top producers who know the secret ingredients to a successful and fruitful listing presentation.

Facilitator: Scott MacDonald, President, RE/MAX Gateway

Panelists:
Kathy Lewis, Realtor, RE/MAX Home Team
Charles Maione, Broker Associate, Prudential Douglas Elliman
Stephen Schweickart, CEO, Realty Video USA
Cheryl Scott-Daniels, Broker/Owner, ERA Select Homes
Pat Wattam, Team Leader, The Pat Wattam Team, RE/MAX First

Maximizing Your Top 5 Membership
From the Real Estate Social Networking System to Top 5’s consumer materials and online offerings, learn how to make the most of your Top 5 membership.

Presenter: Cathleen Stack, VP of Member Development, RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network(R)

Zillow Deep Dive
Zillow is one of the most popular real estate websites among homeowners, buyers and sellers, attracting approximately 8.5 million people each month. Are you fully utilizing all the marketing tools available on Zillow’s site? Join this session to learn more about Zillow and its Zestimate, and how to talk about them with your clients. Also, learn best how to market your listings, yourself and your expertise on the Zillow site to drive business back to you.

Presenter: Sara Bonert, Director of Broker Services, Zillow

Special Session
12:15-1:00 p.m.

Becoming a Top 5 Member
Come and learn the member benefits, including daily updated powerful consumer real estate content and easy-to-use delivery systems that position Top 5 Members as their real estate market thought leaders and help strengthen and build their ever-important “real estate social network.” Qualified applicants will be given a membership discount at the Leadership Conference sessions.

Presenters:
Diane Gagliano, Regional VP, RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network(R)
Anne Kraft, Regional VP, RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network(R)

1:00-2:15 p.m.

How Real Estate Social Networking Will Alter How You Develop Referrals and Change Your Career Forever
More than 95% of Congress gets re-elected while real estate “loyalty rates” remain dismal. Learn how to build and sustain your personal Real Estate Social Network and create more loyal clients and referrals for life by more effectively leveraging the power of technology, social media and content marketing. This session is a career changer.

Facilitator: Allan Dalton, President, RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network®

Panelists:
Simone Barrett, Realtor, Gold Key 3 Mitchel Realty
Sara Bonert, Director of Broker Services, Zillow
Becky Boomsma, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Steve Hundley, CEO, 1ParkPlace
John Reinhardt, President, Fillmore Real Estate
Larry Vecchio, Broker/Owner, Better Homes USA

Working With Buyers – Strategies to Get Buyers to the Closing Table
A year after the financial fallout, a “buyer’s market” still remains. However, despite the great deals that many would-be homeowners could broker, there are scores of qualified buyers who remain gunshy about signing on the dotted line. Here, learn the strategies and techniques top producers use to get buyers from the kitchen table to the closing table.

Facilitator: Marylyn B. Schwartz, President, Teamweavers

Panelists:
Julie Han, VP of Business Development, Closing.com
Betty Hensal, Broker/Owner, Davis & Hoyt Hensal Realty
Dottie Herman, President & CEO, Prudential Douglas Elliman
Phyllis Lerner, Realtor, Legends Realty Group
Priscilla Toomey, Realtor, Bronxville-Ley Real Estate LLC
Lyle Wolf, Realtor Associate/Owner, EXIT Realty Gold Service

Problems and Solutions for Today’s Financing and Credit Maze
Do you know how to answer questions about credit and finance? Do you know the new laws that protect consumers? Most people don’t. However, what successful agents know is that education is always key. In this session, learn from industry experts who will help you learn how to use this information to secure buyers.

Facilitator: Jeff Mandel, President & CEO, ApprovalGuard

Panelists:
Bill Irwin, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Greg Rand, Managing Partner, Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty
Rosemary West, Team Leader, The Rosemary West Team, RE/MAX of Joliet

Changing Your Marketing for a Changed Market
As we approach 2010, what advertising and marketing methods do successful agents use? From vertical search to the social media explosion, there’s much to choose from. But what’s right for both you…and your wallet. Find out here, as real estate experts offer up their best thoughts and methods for reaching consumers.

Facilitator: Brian Wildermuth, President, SharperAgent

Panelists:
Tricia Andreassen, CEO, ProStep Marketing
John Heithaus, SVP, Sales & Marketing, Sentrilock
Lorraine Leonard, Realtor, Keller Williams Realty
Lonnie Shapiro, Realtor, Prudential Connecticut Realty
Randall Standard, President & CEO, VoicePad

Maximizing Your Top 5 Membership
From the Real Estate Social Networking System to Top 5’s consumer materials and online offerings, learn how to make the most of your Top 5 membership.

Presenter: Cathleen Stack, VP of Member Development, RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network(R)

2:30-3:45 p.m.

Distressed Properties – Responsibilities and Opportunities
Foreclosures, REOs and short sales continue to take center stage for many areas throughout the U.S. With this rise in popularity, many top agents are now educating themselves, realizing the opportunity that these non-traditional methods of real estate are affording them. In this session, find out what they’ve learned.

Facilitator: Dennis Walsh, President & CEO, Dennis Walsh & Associates

Panelists:
Jim Frasso, SVP of Store Operations, Northeast Division, Lowe’s
Marc Gould, VP for the Business Specialty Group, NAR; Executive Director, REBAC
Carter Murdoch, SVP, Bank of America
Steven Rivkin, Broker, Planet Realty
Rick Sharga, SVP, RealtyTrac
Marilyn Voreis, Broker Associate, RE/MAX Metro

Creating Loyalty for Life in Today’s Marketplace
Are you proactive about referrals? If not, you should be. After all, despite all of today’s technology, there’s still something important to be said about word-of-mouth advertising…it’s an invaluable source of business and is easy on the wallet. In this session, learn how to maximize your exposure and create loyal customers for life.

Facilitator: Darryl Davis, President, Darryl Davis Seminars

Panelists:
Mary Case Friedner, Realtor, Legends Realty Group
Chip Neumann, Realtor, Neumann Real Estate
Amy Worthington, Realtor, N.T. Callaway Real Estate

How Real Estate Agent Teams Are Winning in Today’s Market
Working with a good team can offer many advantages…even now. The same positive reasons for joining a team still hold true: you are able to assist more customers and give them the right amount of attention. However, negative factors-such as overhead and a financial pay structure-might be reasons for some to reconsider. Here, learn tips and strategies as top team leaders discuss the team structure and how they’re thriving.

Facilitator: Julie Vanderblue, President, The Higgins Group

Panelists:
Jim Bass, Owner, Real Estate Teams LLC
John Bendall, Broker/Owner, RE/MAX Classic Group
Carla Rayman, Realtor, Prudential Palms Realty
Patricia Tan, Realtor, Prudential Palms Realty

How “Recruitable” is Your Company: How to make your company, message and recruiting methods more attractive to leading agents
Top-producing agents are always in high demand…especially now. As a company leader, what are you doing to make your company, message and recruiting methods more attractive to leading agents? In this session, experts offer tips for highlighting your company and all it offers in the best, possible light.

Facilitator: Rei Mesa, President & COO, Prudential Florida Realty

Panelists:
Kim Ades, President, Frame of Mind Coaching
Wendy Forsythe, Vice President of Broker Services, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
Marcene Hedayati, Broker/Owner, Legends Realty Group
Bill Keleher, Chairman & CEO, Prudential New Jersey Properties

Maximizing Your Top 5 Membership
From the Real Estate Social Networking System to Top 5’s consumer materials and online offerings, learn how to make the most of your Top 5 membership.

Facilitator: Cathleen Stack, VP of Member Development, RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network(R)

4:00-4:45 p.m.

Closing Session:
Preparing for Life in 2010 – Are You Ready to Lead?
A Call to Action for Leaders

Facilitators:
John Featherston, President & CEO, RISMedia; Chairman and Co-founder, RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network®
Allan Dalton, President and Co-founder, RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network®

© RISMedia 2009. All Rights Reserved