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Conference Program

Real Estate Connect NYC 2009, Jan 7, 2009 – Jan 9, 2009 • New York Marriott Marquis Times Square, New York

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Wednesday, January 7

SPONSORED INTENSIVES

Wednesday, January 7, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Virtual Earth at Work
See how leading real estate companies are taking advantage of innovative tools and technology to create immersive websites that drive their business. 

Sponsored by:
Microsoft Virtual Earth

 

 

Wednesday, January 7, 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
Leverage the Power of Virtual Earth to Gain Market Share
Learn about the innovations and new technologies that drive revenue and generate better qualified leads using the Microsoft Virtual Earth platform -- on your desktop and on mobile devices. 

Sponsored by:
Microsoft Virtual Earth

 

 

MEET THE LEADERS

Wednesday, January 7, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Meet the Leaders: Network with Leaders and Innovators from Around the World

    and more...

    MAIN CONFERENCE

    Wednesday, January 7, 2:30 pm – 2:45 pm
    Welcome Address – Real Estate 2009: A Roadmap to Recovery
    The real estate market is undergoing a fundamental transformation. What will the market and the industry look like over the coming years.

    Wednesday, January 7, 2:45 pm – 3:15 pm
    How the Internet Culture is Changing the U.S.
    A conversation with Craig Newmark.

    Craig Newmark

    Wednesday, January 7, 3:15 pm – 3:45 pm
    Finding A Fix For the Housing Market.
    We're still searching for solutions to the housing market. What is it going to take to turn things around?

    • Robert Shiller, Co-founder of MacroMarkets LLC, Co-creator of the Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, and Professor of Economics, Yale University

    Robert Shiller

    Wednesday, January 7, 3:45 pm – 4:30 pm
    Bulls vs. Bears: The Great Housing Market Collapse.
    2008 was a tough year for real estate. Is 2009 going to be any better? Hear from these leading market watchers.

    • Carter Murdoch, SVP, Marketing and Compliance Executive, Bank of America
    • Barry Ritholtz , Chief Market Strategist, Ritholtz Research & CEO; Director of Equity Research, Fusion IQ
    • Noah Rosenblatt, Founder, UrbanDigs.com
    • Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist and Senior VP of Research, National Association of REALTORS

    Wednesday, January 7, 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
    What to Expect from the Financial Markets in 2009.
    With the economy in a tailspin, what does the future hold? An update from Wall Street and what it means for Main Street.

    Andrew Sorkin

    Wednesday, January 7, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
    Cocktails@Connect
    Wrap up the first day with free cocktails and time with colleagues and the industry elite at this informal gathering on the exhibit floor. Bring plenty of business cards and spend time socializing as you wind down or gear up for the night!

    Thursday, January 8

    MAIN CONFERENCE

    Thursday, January 8, 8:30 am – 9:00 am
     A New Looking MLS - What's the MLS of the Future Going to Look Like?
     Hear from 3 leaders debate the future of the MLS - is it to collaborate, consolidate or go straight to consumers.

    Moderated by Brian Boero, Partner, 1000Watt Consulting 

    Thursday, January 8, 9:00 am – 9:15 am
    The Evolution of Media: A New World Beckons
     A fractured media landscape has given new platforms to professionals. Find out what it means for the real estate industry in a conversation with Deanna Brown.

    Thursday, January 8, 9:15 am – 10:00 am
    The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. What Does the Future Hold for the Brokerage, Title and Lending industries.
    Old business models lie by the roadside of a challenging housing market. Hear new ways the industry can resuscitate their businesses to face the new challenges ahead.

    Thursday, January 8, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
    Keynote Address: Building Your Personal Brand Online

    Gary Vaynerchuk

    Thursday, January 8, 10:30 am – 11:15 am
    New Kids (and Ideas) on the Block: Innovators from Around the World
    Listen to entrepreneurs explain how their ideas are going to change real estate in this fast-paced, exciting session.

    Thursday, January 8, 11:15 am – 11:25 am
    25 Web Sites To Help You Find Customers and Save Money in Downturn

    Thursday, January 8, 11:25 am – 12:00 pm
    Hot, New Real Estate Companies: Tomorrow's Real Estate Brokerage, Today.
    Who's breaking the mold right now? What tactics are they using to truly stand out on the world stage? Take away inspiration and ideas from some real global ground breakers.

    Moderated by Kris Berg, Co-owner and Designated Broker, San Diego Castles Realty.

    SPONSORED INTENSIVE

    Thursday, January 8, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
    Boost Business Insight and Partnership Opportunities with Virtual Earth

    Learn about new ways to visualize buying trends, sales statistics, inventory data, and other metrics to gain valuable business insight and see how forward-thinking companies area deploying Virtual Earth on their Web sites and forming profitable partnerships that deliver value for their customers. 

    Sponsored by:
    Microsoft Virtual Earth

     

     

    MEET THE LEADERS

    Thursday, January 8, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
    Meet the Leaders: Network with Leaders and Innovators from Around the World

    and more...

    Thursday, January 8, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
    Exhibit Hall Open

    INNOVATION TRACKS

    Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
    Track 1:  Savvy Agent/Brokers: New Tactics to Thrive in a Wired World

    Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
    New Ways to Market Homes on the Web
    Learn the secrets to syndication to bring new eyeballs to your listings and find new buyers from across the country and around the world.

    Moderated by Bernice Ross, CEO, RealEstateCoach.com.

    Thursday, January 8, 2:55 pm – 3:40 pm
    Build a World Class Agent Web Site
    Go beyond brochure-ware. Learn top-notch internet marketing tactics on what consumers want to find on your agent web site.

    Moderated by Bernice Ross.

    Thursday, January 8, 3:50 pm – 4:35 pm
    Surviving Your First Down Market
    Markets are cyclical and will eventually bounce back. Until they do however, you need to learn the strategies it takes to survive. Hear from 4 industry veterans on what it takes to survive, thrive and stay alive.

    Moderated by Kris Berg, Co-owner and Designated Broker, San Diego Castles Realty.

    Thursday, January 8, 4:35 pm – 5:00 pm
    Breaking the News: How to Deal with the Media During a Downturn.
    Audience discussion -- Can agents use social media to turn bad press around? Participate with the experts, get your views across, ask questions and debate the issues.

    Moderated by Kris Berg.

    Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
    Track 2: New Business: Capitalizing on New Opportunities

    Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
    Clearing the Decks: Dealing With Foreclosures in your Market
    Hear how you can get more business by helping buyers and sellers work with short sales, REOs and bank owned properties.

    Moderated by Rick Sharga, Senior Vice President, RealtyTrac.

    • L.J. Jennings, Broker/Owner, Pyramid Real Estate & Investments
    • Sean O'Toole, Founder & CEO, ForeclosureRadar.com
    • Ann L Stickel, Vice President of Affiliated Services, Michael Saunders and Company
    • Scott Thompson, Sr. Vice President, Mortgage Resolution Services, A Fidelity National Financial Company

    Thursday, January 8, 2:55 pm – 3:40 pm
    The Hottest Opportunities in International Real Estate
    Tap into the international second home market, learn how to market to baby boomers, and get practical tips to take your business global.

    Moderated by Alison Rogers, Licensed Salesperson and Author of Diary of a Real Estate Rookie.

    Thursday, January 8, 3:50 pm – 4:35 pm
    Forming Global Partnerships and Earn Referral Business
    Understand how to form partnerships and grow your business using transnational referrals, education, and technology. Learn who can you trust, understand the legal issues and make 1 plus 1 = 3.

    Moderated by Alison Rogers.

    Thursday, January 8, 4:35 pm – 5:00 pm
    Going Global: What are International Buyers and Sellers Looking For?
    Audience Discussion -- Shared experiences, tips, tricks and strategies on working with overseas buyers. Participate with the experts, get your views across, ask questions and debate the issues. 

    Led by Miriam M. Lowe and David Michonski.

    Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
    Track 3: Broker/Owner Breakout: Building The Lean, Mean and Profitable Real Estate Brokerage of the Future

    Sponsored by:

    Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate

     

     

     

    Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
    Nail Your Brokerage Web Site -- Getting It Right on the Internet
    Your website desperately needs an update or tear down. But you’re locked into a relationship with a legacy vendor, don’t know whether to buy or build, and are confused by the endless stream of Web 2.0 apps and APIs. Hear from brokers who made the right changes in a case study session packed with practical takeaways.

    Moderated by Marc Davison, Partner, 1000Watt Consulting. 

    • James Cahill, Executive Vice President/Chief Information & Technology Officer at Terra Holdings, LLC
    • Philip Kiracofe, Chief Technologist, Coldwell Banker Previews International
    • Ashfaq Munshi, Founder & CEO, Terabitz, Inc.
    • Matthew Shadbolt, Director of Internet Marketing, The Corcoran Group

    Thursday, January 8, 2:55 pm – 3:40 pm
    Scrub Your P&L
    The broker business model is a mess. Companies are bleeding red. It’s time to rethink everything. Join 3 tough-as-nails brokers as they dissect a brokerage P&L and identify ideas and savings you can take home.

    Moderated by Brian Boero, Partner, 1000Watt Consulting.

    Thursday, January 8, 3:50 pm – 4:35 pm
    Seize New Markets
    32% of agents did a deal with an overseas client in 2007. Within 20 years, 40% of home buyers will be Hispanic. Gen X and Gen Y buyers are moving into the housing market. A group of leading thinkers will tell you how your brokerage can leap on these new opportunities and other in order to keep your business afloat.

    Moderated by Brian Boero, Partner, 1000Watt Consulting.

    • Wendy Forsythe, VP, Broker Services and Product Development, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC
    • Sharon E. Michnay, Director of Corporate Business Development, Halstead Property
    • Celeste Starchild, Vice President of Broker Sales, ListHub:  ThreeWide Corporation
    • Becca Wilson, President & CEO, SphereXX.com

    Thursday, January 8, 4:35 pm – 5:00 pm
    Building the Brokerage of the Future
    Audience Discussion -- A working session to draft a new blueprint for a brokerage business. Participate with the experts, get your views across, ask questions and debate the issues.

    Led by Brian Boero, Marc Davison and Sherry Chris.

    Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
    Track 4: MLS of the Future: Revitalizing the MLS

    Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
    Should Your MLS Be in Front of Consumers?
    What can an MLS do in a down market to help its members? Is building a public facing website the answer? Is it worth the investment but what about the tradeoffs? Hear from some MLSs have chosen to build world class consumer facing web sites and from the venture funded search sites who love to have the listings too.

    Moderated by Michael Wurzer, President & CEO, FBS Data Systems.

    Thursday, January 8, 2:55 pm – 3:40 pm
    MLS Change: Collaboration or Consolidation?
    Practical tips and how-to's on moving towards consolidation and regionalization and which approach serves members best.

    Moderated by Michael Wurzer.

    Thursday, January 8, 3:50 pm – 4:35 pm
    MLS 2014: 5 things to do right now to get ready
    Top visionaries share the 5 things you must be aware of to best position your MLS for the next 5 years.

    Moderated by Victor Lund, Partner, WAV Group.

    • Joshua Sharfman, CTO, California Association of Realtors ®
    • Saul Klein, President & CEO, Internet Crusade / CEO, Point2 Technologies
    • Brian Larson, Attorney at Law, Larson/Sobotka PLLC
    • Mark Lesswing, Sr. Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, NAR

    Thursday, January 8, 4:35 pm – 5:00 pm
    Drafting a     MLS Bill of Rights: What Should Members Expect from Their MLS
    Audience Discussion -- What should the MLS of the future provide its members? Participate with the experts, get your views across, ask questions and debate the issues.

    Led by Michael Wurzer and Cameron Paine.

    Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
    Track 5: Technology Breakout: Building a Web Site or Service That Could Change the World

    Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
    Wake Up. Go Mobile.
    Two billion plus handsets in use worldwide. Apple's iPhone launch put millions of smartphones in the hands of global citizens. This panel will look at how innovators around the globe are using the mobile web to connect with clients, customers and consumers.

    Moderated by Dustin Luther, Strategist, 4Realz Social Media Strategy.

    Thursday, January 8, 2:55 pm – 3:40 pm
    Down and Dirty Analytics
    Understanding who your web visitors are and where they're coming from is key to delivering a successful user experience.

    Moderated by Dustin Luther.

    Thursday, January 8, 3:50 pm – 4:35 pm
    What's Next for Real Estate Search?
    Is mapping old news? Find out how some of the industry leaders are pushing forward new innovations in the real estate search experience.

    Moderated by Simon Baker, CEO of Property Portal Watch.

    Thursday, January 8, 4:35 pm – 5:00 pm
    Go Beyond Pay Per Click - Leveraging Your Internal Resources to Build Real Search Engine Optimization.
    Audience Discussion -- The dark arts of getting good search engine placement need not be so difficult. Participate with the experts, get your views across, ask questions and debate the issues.

    Led by Ashfaq Munshi and Joel Burslem, VP of Content, Inman News.

    Friday, January 9

    MAIN CONFERENCE


    Friday, January 9, 9:00 am – 9:45 am
    Global Real Estate Update — What's Happening Around the World?
    Join global market experts to get up to speed on the state of global real estate in this fast-paced, exciting session.

    • Pam Alexander, CEO & Managing Director, North American Operations, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada Inc & Integra Enterprises Corporation
    • Andreas Assum, Geschaeftsleitung Online Marketing, ImmobilienScout GmbH
    • Bernard Cadeau, President, ORPI
    • Boris Geheniau, Owner & Director, Fundament All Media
    • Gonzalo Ortiz, Co-Founder & CEO, Globaliza.com
    • Rina Plapler, Senior Executive Director, FutureBrand New York

    Friday, January 9, 9:45 am – 10:30 am
    Steering Your Business through a Downturn
    Hear from America's top venture capitalists, in this frank conversation, on what their outlook is now that the whole world has changed.

    Friday, January 9, 10:30 am - 10:45 am
    25 Global Real Estate Web Sites to Keep Your Eyes On
    There are many low-cost places to market your listings around the world, the lightning-quick presentation will tell you where.

    Friday, January 9, 10:45 am – 11:15 am
    New Ways to Go Global
    Listen to success stories from some of the nation's top brokers how they reached out to the world to find buyers for their properties.

    Moderated by Alison Rogers, Licensed Salesperson and Author of Diary of a Real Estate Rookie.

    Friday, January 9, 11:15 am – 11:45 am
    Crunching the Numbers To Find the Turnaround
    What do national statistics mean to your local market? This panel of experts will explain to you how you can make sense of all the numbers.

    Moderated by Alison Rogers, Licensed Salesperson and Author of Diary of a Real Estate Rookie.

    Friday, January 9, 11:45 am – 12:00 pm
    What Have We Learned

    Friday, January 9, 12:00 pm
    Program Ends