REBAR Camp Returns to Virginia Beach!

REBAR Camp Virginia returns to Virginia Beach as part of the VAR Real Show on October 6th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at The Westin in the heart of Virginia Beach’s Town Center. Registration is free and can be done at http://rebarcamp.com/virginia/. Okay – those are the stats. But why should you go? Why am I so excited about REBAR again?

Well, it’s all because Tina Merritt (and friends like Damien Steiner Smith and others), one of the luminaries of technology, social media and  real estate has decided to return REBAR Camp to its roots. A turn away from instructor-led Power Point presentations and one-way conversations…back to what REBAR has always stood for. The opportunity to network, to exchange ideas with the best and brightest thought leaders who can help answer the questions: “What are you working on right now?” and “What are the challenges you are facing today?”.

REBAR Virginia Beach promises to be raw. To get down to the actionable items and not just skim the surface. But you’d better come prepared. Prepared to have your conventional thinking challenged. Prepared to participate. Prepared to attend the after-party and really get to network with your peers and some of the industry’s finest. Is that a lot to ask? Maybe so if all you had planned to do was to come by and enjoy the finest views in the Commonwealth from the 30th floor of Virginia’s tallest building. Granted, the venue alone is worth the price of admission. But your time and expertise is worth a helluva lot more than that. So come. Spread the word. Be open. Share. The return will be immeasurable.

Speaker – John Daly – Managing Broker Rose and Womble Virginia Beach

John Daly, VAR’s 2011 Treasurer

John Daly is the managing broker at Rose & Womble Realty in the Virginia Beach area and has distinguished himself as a proponent of the real estate industry for more than a decade.
John has been a volunteer at the local level since becoming a REALTOR® in 1989. He served as a Virginia Peninsula Association of REALTORS® board member from 1998-2003 and as President in 2004 and Treasurer in 2006. John has also served as the VPAR MLS Chairman in 1996, as well as on the REIN MLS board of directors from 1996-1998. John has won several awards from his peers, including VPAR Manager of the Year in 2003 and VPAR REALTOR® of the Year in 2005. He has also received recognition from his firm for his consistent best practices, accepting the GSH Excellence in Management Award from 2001-2007. John has been involved in countless committees, with responsibilities ranging from Ways and Means to Grievance and Professional Standards, from Strategic Planning to Budget and Finance.

John began volunteering at the state level in 2003, serving on the Public Policy Advocacy group. He broadened his level of involvement by participating in the Virginia Real Estate Education Foundation work group, which actively supports real estate education throughout the state. John has also been an elected member of VAR’s Board of Directors since 2005 and an RPAC Trustee since 2007-2009. He was elected by fellow Policy Board members to the position of Treasurer for the 2009-2010 leadership term, and was re-elected for a 2011-2012 term.

John currently serves at the national level on The Business Issues Committee and has served since 2008.

John is passionate about real estate education, taking an active interest in the development of his agents. John has been a technology instructor since 2005 within the GSH Real Estate firm. He holds certification as a Post Licensure and Continuing Education Instructor.

While John devotes much of his time to volunteering on behalf of the real estate industry, he also makes time to enjoy spending time with his family, animals and to pursue his hobbies, including wine tasting, scuba diving and several variations of martial arts.

Charity: Laptops for Wounded Warriors

A couple months ago, I was swapping emails with Dawn Miller and noticed the bottom of her email signature, “Ask Me About Laptops for Our Wounded Warriors”.  Of course, I HAD to ask her!  Next came a story filled with her obvious passion for this amazing organization.  I couldn’t help but be even more intrigued.

After conferring with the other REBCVA volunteers, we have chosen Laptops for Wounded Warriors as our event charity.  Does this mean we are going to hit you up multiple times throughout the event to donate money?  No!  We may ask nicely (once); however, more importantly, our goal is to give LFWW recognition and exposure.  So, please, share their website with your friends on Facebook, tell your colleagues about LFWW, you know what to do!

Gathering of Eagles/Laptops for Wounded Warriors – I’ll let Dawn tell you about them:

Where to Eat Lunch at REBCVA

We are so fortunate to have REBCVA hosted at the Westin Residences at Town Center!  There are awesome places to spend your lunch break!  Try to plan ahead and get a lunch date or a group together and keep the REBC conversation going (just don’t talk with your mouth full!).

Here are a few places within walking distance of REBCVA:

 

 

• California Pizza Kitchen
• Bravo! Cucina Italiano
• The Cheesecake Factory
• The Daily Grind
• The Lucky Star
• Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant
• Guadalajara
• Jimmy Johns Gourmet Sandwiches
• Saffron Indian Bistro
• Keagan’s Irish Pub and Restaurant
• P.F. Changs China Bistro
• Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
• Red Star Tavern
• Simply Fresh Cafe and Market
• Sonoma Wine Bar and Bistro
• Zushi Japanese Bistro

10 Tips for REBCVA Attendees

1.  Arrive early.  We have a full schedule and need everyone at the Westin no later than 10am!

2.  Bring a camera (or make sure you know how to use the one on your phone).  The views from the top of the Westin are sure to impress and you may also want to share the event with your friends.

3.  It’s not necessary to bring a laptop.  Your laptop can’t listen and share – only you can.  That’s why we invited YOU to attend and not your laptop.

4.  Dress in comfortable attire.  Wear flip flops if you want.  Just don’t wear your company-issued name tag.

5.  Change your voice mail to say, “I am attending a conference and will return your call as soon as it’s over”.  Your clients will understand.

6.  Bring business cards to share.

7.  There are lots of great lunch spots at Town Center.  Be sure to check them out and think about where you want to have lunch:  http://www.vabeachtowncenter.com/dine/

8.  Thank our sponsors.  Without them, we wouldn’t have this event.

9.  Make a list of 5 things you want to learn about and bring the list to the event.

10.  Try to stay for the entire Bar Camp.  You will be happy you did!

Want to Come to Real Estate Bar Camp Virginia 2011?

We would love to see you!  Registration is now open!  Thanks to everyone for helping to secure an AMAZING venue at the Westin!