Seattle reBarCamp is hours away!

Just a quick reminder that doors open at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday, March 3) for registration. With over 700 rsvp’s, we ask that you come early.

Seating may be limited for the Key Note Speaker Jim Marks (another reason to come early) which starts at 9:00 a.m.

We strongly suggest that you bring your own lunch…according to the National Weather Service (as of this moment) we have a 70% chance of showers with a high near 45 and winds around 10 mph. Bringing your own lunch will not only keep you warm and dry, it will give you more time for extended sessions or to hang out with new friends. The lunch break is from 12:00 – 1:00.

We also encourage you to bring a water bottle. All rooms are equipped with hot/cold water dispensers…but I’m hearing today that there are no cups available.

This event last until 5:00 p.m.

Here is a rough schedule (5 tracks will not be decided until tomorrow by the participants) and the Rookie Sessions.

Also, we are in the process of contacting people who are on the “waiting list”. Thanks to the folks who have contacted to us to let us know they cannot make it, we’ve been able to allow more to participate at this years event.  Thanks so much for your patience and cooperation.

For more information, you can check out these posts.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Come to Seattle RE Barcamp Thursday – GAME ON!

To maximize your learning experience and get the most value, think and prepare for this event. You will be glad you did.

EXERCISE

1. Make a list of real estate activities and projects you are currently working on.
2. Prepare information to share about them with others.
3. Make a list of questions focused on the subjects you want to learn more about.
4. Hang out near the Schedule Board Thursday morning and try to get a session going with others with the same topic.
5. Have fun learning/sharing.

(This event is at full capacity and stopped taking reservations. If you have registered and will not be able to attend, please send in your cancellation so that others on the waiting list may attend. Email: rebarcampseattle(at)gmail.com subject: Cancel RSVP)

Prepare Yourself for Seattle reBarCamp this Thursday!

This is the fourth reBarCamp in Seattle and it’s going to be amazing.   We’ve done a few things different this year with dedicating several sessions for those who are novice to social media in the largest room with the Rookie Sessions (Rainier Room).   With 700 people registered to converge on the Seattle Center this Thursday, we’re thinking that a majority will be attending those sessions.   This should also free up the other sessions to have more advanced topics. We’ve also added the Sponsor Spotlight where sponsors can freely promote themselves (Olympic Room)…and from what I’ve seen so far, their topics look very interesting!   By the way, we are at capacity so if you did not rsvp, please contact us (see box to the right) to be added to our waiting list.

Each reBarCamp seems to have it’s own personality because the day evolves around the participants.  I’m really looking forward to this event and thought I’d share some pointers with you to help you make the most of your reBarCamp experience.

Dress comfortable.  This is a casual, laid back event and you will be doing plenty of walking to the different sessions, to and from parking and to lunch.   By the way, currently it looks like we’ll have showers on Thursday with temps in the mid-40s.

Bring your water bottle.   Each room is equipped with water (hot and cold). 

Bring your wi-fi.   There will be wi-fi available however it is limited.  If you want to be guaranteed access to the internet, your best bet is to bring your own. 

Come early.  Registration and coffee will start at 8:00 a.m.  reBarCamp badges are first come/first serve to those who have pre-registered.   With 700 people attending this year, the earlier you can show up to start submitting your topics for sessions, the better.

Parking.  Several lots are available.  Check out the map in the right tool bar.

Coffee!  Redfin has graciously sponsored morning coffee service.

The Venue:  Seattle reBarCamp is in the same place as last year, in the Northwest Rooms of the Seattle Center just north of the Key Arena.   There is plenty of parking and restaurants within walking distance.   Speaking of lunch…

Lunch:  You may want to consider bringing a sack lunch…especially if  you’ve decided to continue with a barcamp session during the lunch break.  If not, there are several restuarants and grocerie stores nearby for you to grab a quick bite.  The lunch break will be from 12:00 – 1:00.

What do you want to learn or share?  Start thinking about what you hope to walk away with from this reBarCamp.   When you arrive Thursday morning, there will be index cards available for you to submit topics for possible sessions.  If you think of a topic prior to Thursday, jot it down and bring it with you!

The Agenda aka The Board.   The agenda will be posted on the wall by the registration desk.  We will also be posting the next scheduled sessions by the doors of each room.   For the most part, the agenda will be created Thursday morning based on the topics suggested by the participants.  The Rookie Sessions, which will be in the Rainier Room, are all ready posted…and you don’t have to be a social media rookie to attend!

Sessions.  With exception to the Rookie Sessions and the Sponsor Spotlight, reBarCamp sessions are more “ad-hoc” and not pre-planned.   People who are interested in that topic show up at the assigned room and from there, the conversation, sharing and learning begins.  Sessions are not intended for someone to lecture or make a sales pitch….ideally they are “peer to peer” learning. The session may evolve into something different than what you may have expected…remember, if a session doesn’t appeal to you, use your feet and go find another one.   If  you decide that you would like to create a session that is not on the board, your best time to do this may be during the lunch break since we are at capacity.

Sponsors.  This event would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors.   Please do take some time to visit them in the Olympic Room and check out the Sponsor Spotlight Sessons.   

Because of our gracious sponsors and opting not to do “bling” this year, we’re going to be able to make an extra nice donation to Solid Ground! 

Last, but not least… our Volunteers.  We will be on hand all day should you need any assistance.

The Agenda aka “The Board”

One of the unique traits of reBarCamp is the agenda. A majority of the day’s sessions will be determined by the participants: those who show up on the morning of March 3, 2011. At registration, typically there is a stack of index cards available where you can jot down suggested topics. Often times the topic may be something you want to learn more about or perhaps it’s something you’ve found success with that you would like to share with your peers. Topics have ranged from social media, tech, real estate trends, issues and concerns – there is no limit to what you submit with exception to “sales pitches” or prepared presentations. For the most part, this is an “ad-hoc” event. This year we will have “newbie” sessions created for those who may consider themselves to be ”novice” and providing a little more structure than typical barcamp sessions. We’re also going to have a track where our sponsors have a chance to promote themselves in the “Sponsor Spotlight“.   All other sessions (5 tracks) will be classic “reBarCamp”.  TIP:  If  you’re coming to Seattle reBarCamp, start thinking about what topics  you’re interested in and jot them down so you don’t “draw a blank” at registration.  

As the index cards with suggestions for topics come quickly rolling in from hundreds of participants, some of the reBarCamp organizers will sort through and organize the suggestions into sessions.   The Seattle Center NW Rooms (by the north side of the Key Arena) offers several conference rooms for the session.  Last  year we had seven different sessions to chose from at one time!   Sessions will most likely be color coded (like last year) to help you see which sessions might be more advanced, basic or perhaps geared towards mortgage.   The color paper is taped up on “the board” which is really a dedicated space on a wall by the registration table.

 Your exact suggested topic may not make it to “the board” or seem to appear on the agenda.   It may, however, fit or be similar to what is on the board.   We do our best to create an interesting schedule based on what everyone is asking for.  If at a certain time, the board doesn’t have something that’s appealing to you, you can always create your own session, write your topic on piece of paper and one of the reBarCamp organizers will help you try to find a space (there will probably be extra tables in one of the larger conference rooms, or if it’s sunny, there’s nothing wrong with having a session outside).

Each session will start at the top of hour following Jim Marks, our fabulous Key Note Speaker, and will run for about 50 minutes.   This will give you 10 minutes to revisit the board.   It is our goal to not do too many changes to the board this year…however sometimes ”change” happens.  

Seattle’s 4th reBarCamp is going to be amazing with over 500 participants registered so far (check out the rsvp list).     Stephanie Dawson describes her experience from her first Seattle reBarCamp last year and offers great advice.   

As Stephanie says, this is a free event but it is your time. 

We look forward to seeing you on March 3, 2011 at the 4th Seattle reBarCamp!  If you haven’t signed up yet, please take a moment to RSVP…and be sure to thank our amazing sponsors for keeping this year’s event free!

It’s Official: The Newbie Sessions

We had a very energizing planning session yesterday and one of the decisions that we agreed on was to have an a official track dedicated to the pariticipants who are newer to social media.   Now before some of you ol’ salty seasonsed savvy social media guru’s start to roll your eyes at the thought of a track being dedicated to those who are a greener, anyone who has attended an reBarCamp knows full well that a good amount of the participants are “newbies”.   When I attended my the very first reBarCamp in San Francisco a couple years ago, even though my blog was up and running, I really wasn’t functional with Twitter or Facebook.  In fact, I learned about Flickr and all it’s possibilities by sitting in a session that Teresa Boardman was in…but I digress.   We were all reBarCamp and/or social media newbies at one point in time. 

Our plan is to have one of the rooms at our venue, the Seattle Center NW Rooms, dedicated to this track.   If someone who is new wants to make themselves comfortable all day, they can.  If some of the sessions offered in that room/track do not appeal to them or there is another session they want to see in another room, they are of course, free to do so.

Last year, we had a “newbie” track where many of the sessions were referred to as “101″.  2011 is going to be a little different as we are planning on having a majority of the sessions for newbies set with moderators and folks who are experienced with the topic of that session.  We’re hoping to pull from some of the great talent we have coming to participate from across the nation and local real estate professionals who have found success on that specific topic.   The goal is not to have lectures or pre-planned presentations – we are staying true to the reBarCamp experience as far as that’s concerned.  It will probably be more like a causal panel with plenty of Q&A opportunities.

A majority of Seattle reBarCamp’s agenda will still be determined by the participants the morning of the event as always.   So do bring  your ideas and I’m really hoping the “Guru’s” will really ”bring it” so we can have advanced sessions and everything in between.

Update February 22, 11:  we’ve just added a rough draft of the agenda for this track…and it looks like we’re renaming this “the Rookie Sessions” in the spirit of spring training!

Why participate in REBarCamp? One word: Relationships.

I was searching to figure out WHAT my topic for this blog post was going to be… What could I share with you, dearest reader, that would inspire you to participate in the upcoming RE BarCamp in Seattle… as well as the various events surrounding this blockbuster adventure? 

Hmmm… let’s see… should it be the passion the committee puts into planning it for you?  How about the organic, yet intentionally designed schedule you will experience? Maybe the amazing real world knowledge/education you are guaranteed to gather?   How about all of the FUN the participants have choosing the topics… things like “The Art of Poking”?  

Nope.

When it came right down to it – the answer was right in front of me – on my screen.  Okay, screens.  My TV, laptop, iPhone, and my iPad screens were ALL shouting at me, “Talk about your online inner circle… the council you reach out to when you have an idea, question or hit a wall… the ‘I have no idea HOW I survived without you in my world’ peeps… YES!  Share about those people who inspire you to reach for things you never thought possible.”

To be clear, it all started when I was in grade school… and I met my first “on screen” pals: Andie, Blane, and Duckie. If you are a John Hughes fan, you KNOW of whom I speak here – no pix or links required. 

These ‘friends’ taught me not to let ‘social rules’ determine my destiny. To reach for what I wanted – regardless of which side of the tracks I resided. There were no limits to what I could experience or achieve.

Now, fast forward (literally, if you still have it on VHS) to today.

I am truly amazed when reviewing the fabulous relationships in my world… many formed over the last couple of years!  They would NOT EXIST if it were not for epic events like #rebcsea, Inman’s Agent REBoot in Seattle/Portland, and other amazing industry events – like the upcoming NW Video Marketing Summit on 3/2/11… hosted by Frank Garay & Brian Stevens, the dynamic duo of the TBWS Daily Show!  If you participated in the 2010 #rebcsea… you may have met these two there!  BTW – they recently made Inman’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Real Estate list for 2010!

IRL (in real life) events like #rebcsea mobilize the mind-boggling knowledge and power of our community… and ignite relationships with people you and I would likely have never met.

After attending such events, I humbly, yet proudly call Rhonda Porter, Dale Chumbley, Nick Church, Rene Fabre, Scott Thomas, Mike Mueller, Chris Smith, Rich Jacobson, Michael McClure, Nicole Nicolay, Darin Persigner, Teri Conrad, Jason Hillard, Kelley Skar, Stephanie Dawson, Natalie Danielson… and many others “friend”.  Our promise to one another: Strive to LEAD one another. Humbly FOLLOW each other.  Or we, as my marvelous collaborator in all things ‘illumination” Linda Aaron says “Get Out Of The Way” and let progress continue until we are ready and able to ride the wave!  (By the way, besides my CBBain colleague, Linda… I met ALL of these amazing people “online” before I met them IRL!)

Simply put… I don’t think RElationships matter, I KNOW they matter.   This is a relationship business, after all.

RE BarCampSEA always reshapes and recharges me… and I am so excited to meet and greet new peeps this year!  Will one of them be you?  I hope so.  If you are READY to REignite, REfresh, and REnew YOUR relationships with your peer sphere, SEEK out  and nurture NEW ones - all while collaborating and participating with some of the best minds (green and guru) in our industry…

RSVP. Right now. Period.
*poke*

Thanks for reading!
~Debra
Find Me Online

You’ve Got Two Feet and You Can Use Them

I was asked via Twitter, “what if someone takes over a session to sell their services or product”. If you’ve attended an RE BarCamp before, then you know this is NOT what this event is all about. Ideally the day’s agenda is determined by those who show up. At past events, we’ve had index cards available  at registration and throughout th day so you can submit topics for things you’d like to learn or talk about. This is not about being self-serving or promotional — it is about giving and sharing. Sometimes this can be a real fine line.

As the suggestions come rolling in from those who are attending (aka participants), the organizers of the event start sorting them out and looking for themes to try to organize potential sessions and schedule them in the various spaces that are available. Your specific request may or may not make the schedule but hopefully there’s something close that you can check out. It’s not unusual for a session to go completely off topic depending on who’s participating. The key word here is “participation”.

RE BarCamp is not about being shy and sitting back. The more involved folks become the better. And it’s important to keep in mind your fellow bar-campers. You may have a ton of questions or things you feel are important to offer, please don’t be a conversation hog. This will most likely discourage others from speaking up.

Seattle RE BarCamp is a FREE event thanks to our sponors…. and as much as we appreciate their support, this is not a license for them to hold sessions or take them over. I believe our sponsors are well aware of this. However, there may be times when a topic is about what they do and of course, they’re going to jump in and participate without selling.

This is an event that evolves throughout the day and is not planned; there are no instructors to lecture, dictate or control a “class”; those who seek and demand structure may find that RE BarCamp is not for them…and that’s okay. There are plenty of other events and conferences that offer structure, certified instructors, etc.

The bottom line is that should you find yourself in a session where it’s being taken over by someone trying to promote themselves, or perhaps the session just isn’t what you thought it would be, you can use your feet. There is nothing wrong with simply standing up, walking out and joining a different session. Also, if the during the event, you find that there’s nothing on the schedule that you’re really interested in, you can always create your own session…there’s going to be plenty of room at the Seattle Center by the NW Rooms. I’ve heard of great mini-break out sessions taking place at past events.   One of great points about RE BarCamps is that you have the power, as a participant to participate and make the most of your barcamp experience.

But what the heck is a “un-conference?”

But what the heck is a “un-conference?” by Rene Fabre

A client asked me the other day about RE Barcamp. The concern was, as the topic was framed, “Aren’t you guys competing with Raincamp and Agent REBoot?

Answer: No, not at all.

Raincamp and Agent REBoot are conferences, and they’re both excellent.

RE Barcamp is an “un-conference”

But what the heck is a “un-conference?”

RE Barcamp is not a conference or a seminar. There is no list of headlining social media stars giving presentations on the latest new wave of lead capture topics. You don’t come to REBC to hear a presentation from an expert to learn their method. There won’t be any speakers to convince you that their “system” is the best and if you sign up for now it’s only $199 with free upgrades for life.

The “un-conference” is coming together to share and learn from each other. The topics are wide ranging and pretty much anything goes if it has something to do with real estate, marketing, emerging technologies, and social media.

Online networks and communities are places where we gather around ideas. At RE Barcamp we have the opportunity to gather around these topics and ideas face to face. The “un-conference” model gives everyone opportunity to participate. It’s not lecture and learn, it’s bringing your unique experience to the group discussion.

The fun begins when everyone in the morning writes their suggested topics on a card. The cards are collected and by simple majority the topics get posted to the board first. This initiates, by order of the group, what “breakout groups” will first be formed.

It’s like jazz for ideas. We want to hear you solo!

There won’t be a Pouring Ceremony of Kool Aid that you have to drink to become an official member of the “Tech Savvy Hip and In Usual Suspects Crowd.”  Cuz there ain’t one. The big expectation is you’ll bring your passion with a purpose and share with an open mind. We could all use a lot of that.

Much of the excitement for me about RE Barcamp is the opportunity to mingle my way into as many conversations as possible. I have a lot of ideas about how it all works and where it’s going. I need your input. I’m putting the puzzle together also, “what pieces are using and why?

We’ll pick each others brains, share our real world experiences, talk about successes and failures, and discover insights to personal processes. What worked, what didn’t, and of course that varies from person to person. People talk differently when they’re in a group discussing something they’re passionate about.

My take: Go to Raincamp, go to Agent REBoot… and don’t miss RE Barcamp! We need to be in as many good relevant conversations as we can be to succeed.

I hope to see you March 3, 2011. Let’s jazz some ideas!

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