Joe Houlihan recently attended the REALTORS Conference & Expo held in Chicago November 3-6, 2017. Here is his take away of the experience.
So I’d like to mention a few highlights about my trip to Chicago for the NAR (National Association of Realtors) Conference
Over 20,000 REALTORS from all over the world convened at the huge convention center at McCormick Place. The center is amazing and the NAR convention only took up one portion of it. Needless to say, did lots of walking to all the courses, exhibits & entertainment. Hundreds of one to two hour classes and panels were offered on a wide range of topics including REALTOR safety, floor plan technology, lending innovations, REALTOR training techniques and many, many more.
Over 400 vendors participated in the REALTOR Expo. Some ‘booths’ were actually elaborate mini theaters where new products and technologies were demonstrated. All of them had something to offer to REALTORS who want to expand their businesses.
Five agents received REALTOR Magazine’s ‘2017 Good Neighbor Award.’ Each winner demonstrated how one person can make a difference in the lives of others through volunteer work. Each winner’s charity received a $10,000 grant. REALTORS to be proud of.
I personally met Sal Giunta former United States Army soldier and the first living person since the Vietnam War to receive the U.S. military’s highest decoration for valor, the ‘Medal of Honor’. He was awarded this prestigious award for his actions on October 25, 2007 in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley. He fearlessly advanced on the enemy and provided aid to his fallen comrades. His actions saved the lives of multiple paratroopers and changed the course of the battle. He is a humble & impressive young man. Sal talked about his family and what it meant to be part of the team of soldiers that were his comrades.
Twenty-three time Gold Medalist Michael Phelps was the key note ‘speaker’ who actually did a sit down with incoming 2018 NAR President Elizabeth Mendenhall. Their conversation shed light on what it takes to be the winner that he is. His is an amazing story with lots of ups and many downs.
Celebrity entertainment was John Fogarty, known for his many ballads including ‘Bad Moon Rising’ & ‘Fortunate Son’; he still sounds good.
Overall, it was a great conference and expo. I ran into some people I knew and made some new friends. But, most of all, I learned a lot.
I definitely plan on attending next year’s conference & expo in Boston, MA.
