Tribute to the reBarCamp Founders

I can’t help but think of the creators of reBarCamp hours before this event.   I am so fortunate to have stumbled upon (or “magoo’d as my husband and I like to say) upon the San Francisco reBarCamp event back in 2008.   It was an experience that forever changed my idea of learning and conferences…it really was a “you had to be there” experience.

Flash forward, Seattle reBarCamp will have it’s fouth event this Thursday and we’re off the charts with rsvps (we have a  waiting list) and sponsors — which means we are making an extra nice donation to our chosen charity, Solid Ground.

Let’s take a moment to thank those who thought up this whole thing “reBarCamp”.  Back in 2008, I remember the REBC ‘wiki’ and when I tell others stories from the first event in San Francisco, it leaves me feeling like I must be an ancient tribe member.  

We owe so much to those who had the vision for this event.  I don’t dare try to name all who I think they are…you know who you are.

We thank you!  I thank you.

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.

Last year we attended RE BAR CAMP/SEATTLE this year Brazen Sotheby’s International Realty becomes a Sponsor

A year ago I read about the RE BAR Camp and attended, not knowing what to expect. Wow, I was knocked off my feet.
The information covered was outstanding. The energy was amazing. This was really the new wave, the future of Real Estate.
For the next month I told everyone I knew how blown away I was with this event.

This year I am bringing our office and have become a sponsor because I believe in what they are presenting and what they are doing and the information that they are sharing.

I have seen the future of Real Estate and it involves REBAR CAMP/ Seattle!!

Joseph Brazen
Brazen Sotheby’s International Realty
10138 Main Street | Bellevue, Wa. 98004
t 425.454.4141 | f 425.454.3515
| c 425.531.0109
[email protected]
BrazenSothebysRealty.com
SothebysRealty.com

Ovaleye Web Solutions: Happy to Sponsor RE BarCamp Seattle

Ovaleye Web Solutions is the premier web host for women with web hosting plans, products, and services that were specially designed for the needs of busy, passionate, and successful entrepreneurial women coupled with personalized support. We are pleased to be able to sponsor RE BarCamp Seattle after one of our  clients, Scott Thomas, brought it to our attention.

After working with clients who were affected by last year’s market, we understand 2009 was a tough year. However, more importantly we now know what a resilient group of entrepreneurs those in real estate really are. We are happy to see collaboration in your field and wish  you all the best in 2010 as you work together to sell our homes.

We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter, otherwise we will see you all on the 19th!

Please let us know if we can assist you in your goals!

Kathy Nelson and Jennifer Donogh
Ovaleye Web Solutions
‘The premier web host for women’
(877) ovaleye | (425) 844-2303
Keeping social on Twitter & Facebook

The Pacific Northwest Housing Summit – Proud Sponsor of Seattle RE Barcamp

Editors Note: Marty Lough is lead organizer of the Pacific Northwest Housing Summit which takes place the day before RE Barcamp in just a matter of days! He has submitted this post on behalf of PNWHS as a sponsor of Seattle RE Barcamp. Without further ado, here’s Marty’s message.

“On behalf of the Pacific Northwest Housing Summit, I wish to express our excitement at pairing with the 2010 Seattle Real Estate Bar Camp together on March 18th and 19th. These two events will bring the best of the best to our fair City of Seattle anda provide vital information for professionals from all fields of the real estate industry. With the challenges we have faced and opportunities that await, this is the time for us to come together, share up-to-the-moment data, and achieve solutions to common issues we all face.

Combined with the spontaneous sessions that take place in RE Barcamp, everyone participating will come away with invaluable tools and knowledge to make this a most successful 2010. We are pleased and proud to be sponsors in this endeavor.”

Editors Note: Unlike RE Barcamp, the Pacific NW Housing Summit is “structured” with two sets of expert panelist.   The $69 pre-registration fee does include a gourmet box lunch–group discounts are available until March 12, 2010.   These two events do compliment each other and we hope to see you at both, the Pacific NW Housing Summit on March 18 and RE Barcamp on March 19, 2010 at the Seattle Center.   Clock hour credits are approved for some and pending for others.

Follow on Twitter @pnwhs  …see what others are saying on Twitter #pnwhs and of course you can find us on Facebook too…what ever you do, RSVP!  This will be one of those events that if you don’t attend, you’ll be sorry you missed it.

John G. Wilbanks Photography is pleased to sponsor RE Barcamp Seattle

Hello everyone,

As a residential photographer over the past decade I’ve seen the market go from the highest highs to the lowest lows (I hope).  I’m convinced more than ever that quality photography, photography that will make a listing stand out from others, is one of the most important parts of any marketing campaign.

I believe the correct design of a photo will carry the viewer into and through the image, giving them a true sense of what a home is like. Keeping in mind the speed with which today’s real estate market moves, I’m able to deliver photos the next day and  can even have them available in the same day in some instances.

RE BarCamp is an important event allowing Realtors to get together and share ideas, experiences and ask questions of their peers.  I want to be a part of that atmosphere and share some thoughts on photography with those who are interested.

See you at  RE Barcamp SEA.

John Wilbanks

11 Reasons To Sponsor RE BarCamp-Seattle!

My week has been peppered with great chats regarding sponsoring #rebcsea.  Many of the biz owners in my sphere have had the same response:  Money is tight… WHY SHOULD I? or more simply put: What’s in it for me? (WIIFM)

I decided to surf a bit and gather together some of the major reasons why companies become event sponsors.  This may help you in identifying people YOU know (including yourself) who might be interested in sponsoring!

11 Reasons 2 Sponsor Events:

1.  Corporate ID
Companies planned to display their corporate or brand names or logos on event signs, buildings, equipment, programs, uniforms, and/or promotional materials.   

2.  Target Marketing
Many companies saw event sponsorship as a way to reach a self-selected audience, hopefully interested in purchasing the companies’ products or services.

3.  Entertainment Opportunity
A number of companies mentioned that they would use an event as a place to entertain clients.
(Hmmm… sounds like an opportunity to carpool a captive audience to the event!)

4.  Offering Discounts
A number of companies said they would use events as a way to encourage product/service trial, either by offering samples at the event, or, if that was inconvenient, by passing out coupons.

5.  Awareness
Some companies wanted to use event sponsorship as a way to create public awareness of their brands or products. If you are launching a new business – this one is for you!

6.  Image
Some companies hoped event sponsorship would improve, enhance, or change their corporate, brand, or product image.

7.  Usage
Some companies planned to use events to encourage purchase of their products (e.g., buy two items to get a free ticket to the event) or usage of their products (e.g., American Express will donate twenty-five cents to the local symphony every time you use your American Express card).

8.  PR
Some companies cited public relations value (i.e., the newsworthiness of the event and/or the sponsorship) as a reason why they were sponsoring an event. They expected to see their company, brand, or product mentioned in media coverage of the event.

9.  Contests
Some companies intended to use an event as a theme for consumer contests or sweepstakes… with the added bonus of gathering names at an event to develop a mailing list or database of consumers.

10. Demonstration Opportunity
Some companies planned to use an event to demonstrate or display their products/services.

11. Sales Opportunity
Some companies wanted to use an event for on-site sales or to generate sales leads – with both consumers and other businesses! 

REMINDER:  Sponsors who sign up before February 22nd will have their company website printed on our ULTRA COOL BLING this year! 

If you are now inspired to be a sponsor or you have questions on HOW to sponsor… shoot me an email: [email protected].

Check out this example of what the WATER BOTTLE will look like…
You TOO could have your company on this list!!

"Your Name Here"

Great Explanation of “Bar Camp”

When I tell people I’m helping to plan an “RE Barcamp” it’s often followed by a blank look.    “Rebar? Is there a bar? Are you camping” is not an uncommon response.    In fact, I bet many attendees of RE Barcamp may not know where “BarCamp” comes from.   I came across this short and sweet definition when I was reading Brain Picking’s post on the ”Top 10 Contemporary Cross-Disiplinary Conferences” …for the record, Barcamp came in at second on the list.

Inspired by Tim O’Reilly’s famous invite-only hacker summit, Foo Camp, BarCamp borrowed from the hacker slang foobar to create a set of guidelines for an alternative, open-to-all, ad-hoc event around a common topic or theme that anyone can host anywhere. (These user-generated experiences are also sometimes called unconferences or non-conferences, after legendary eccentric curator Hans Ulrich Obrist’s experimental non-conference in Jülich, Germany, in the 90’s.)

A self-organizing community of diverse interests, BarCamp participants are also its presenters. Attendees spend the first part of each event brainstorming and voting for session subjects, and can then choose among the various breakout groups. As you might imagine, the quality of a BarCamp can vary considerably depending on who’s present — we’ve had mixed experiences, accordingly. But as the saying goes, you get what you pay for; and BarCamps are typically free.

RE Barcamps are for the most part based off this premise of open sharing and peer to peer learning where the participants are also the presenters with a “real estate theme”.  Topics can be anything real estate related and tend to have had a heavy emphasis on social media in the past.   With all that’s going on in our industry today and considering the Seattle event is following the Pacific Northwest Housing Summit, I won’t be a bit surprised if Seattle’s 2010 REBarCamp participants also decide to have discussions based on the new Good Faith Estimate/RESPA, HVCC or how to market distressed properties.   The great thing about REBC’s, in my opinion, is that we are not limited to any topics–we’re only limited by those attend and participate in the event and out of all of the REBC’s I’ve attended (5 or so?) I’ve always learned plenty! 

I’m really looking forward to this REBC Seattle 2010!

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