With an incredibly packed event calendar, it gets harder and harder to answer this simple question every year. Which real estate conference is actually worth your time?

To help answer that question, we put together this list of the 19 biggest, best, or most useful real estate conferences and conventions happening in 2017. After the list, we’ll give you 10 networking tips for getting the best bang for your buck while attending a conference.

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National Association of Realtors Conference and Expo

Date: November 3rd-6th 2017 Location: Chicago
Best ROI For: Anyone who works in real estate
Click Here for Registration and Pricing Info

For real estate professionals, the National Association of Realtors Conference and Expo is the Super Bowl, World Series, and Game of Thrones Finale all in one. It is by far the largest and most important real estate conference in the United States.

What to Expect from the 2017 Conference

While NAR won’t be releasing speaker information for the 2017 conference until this summer, you can expect a huge number and variety of real estate industry luminaries, break out workshops on everything from the latest technology to sales strategy and business building, and hundreds of exhibitors from every corner of the real estate industry.

Single Family Rental Investment Forum

Date: May 1st-3rd 2017 Location: Miami
Best ROI for: Wholesalers, real estate investors, or agents looking to work with them
Click Here For Registration and Pricing Info

The industry leading single family rental investment forum brings together fix and flip investors, REITs, note buyers or agents looking to work with investors. With single family rental investment market continued growth, this conference can can be a game changer for industry professionals.

What to Expect from the 2017 Conference

Expect educational workgroups, networking events and panels from industry leaders and innovators. While they haven’t released their 2017 speaker list yet, last year’s conference speakers included David Singelyn, CEO, American Homes 4 Rent; Stephen G. Schmitz, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, American Residential Properties, Inc.; Dallas Tanner, Chief Investment Officer, Invitation Homes; David Miller, CEO, Silver Bay Management; Gary Beasley, Co-CEO, Starwood-Waypoint Residential Trust.

Ultimate Inspection Conference

Date: March 8th-11th 2017 Location: Memphis
Best ROI for: Home Inspectors
Click Here For Registration and Pricing Info

The Inspector Services Group Ultimate Inspection Conference is a massive, multi-day conference filled with in-depth courses, speakers, and exhibitors geared toward the modern home inspector. Even better, you can fulfill 20 hours of your continuing education requirements by attending courses at available at the conference.

What to Expect from the 2017 conference

A huge number of in-depth courses, networking opportunities, talks, and exhibitors covering a wide variety of home inspection topics. Check out the full schedule here.

Council of Residential Specialists Sell-a-bration

Date: February 9th-10th 2017 Location: Phoenix
Best ROI for: CRS designees
Click Here For Registration and Pricing Info

The Council of Residential Specialists annual Sell-a-bration, is the largest gathering of CRS certified real estate professionals in the world. Since the CRS designation is the most prestigious awarded by NAR, expect a crowd of top producers and industry legends.

Want to learn more about real estate designations? Check out our in-depth guide here.

What to Expect from the 2017 Conference

Along with the amazing networking opportunities, CRS has an excellent lineup of speakers this year, including real estate industry luminary Brad Inman, Tim Burrel, John Meacham, and dozens of CRS designees from across the country.

Brian Buffini’s Mastermind Summit

Date: August 6th-8th 2017 Location: San Diego
Best ROI for: Agents who want to close more deals
Click Here For Registration and Pricing Info

In order to grow your business, you need to grow your self. That’s why Brian Buffini’s excellent three day Mastermind Summit is focused on personal growth, development, and inspiration to help you change your life along with your business.

What to Expect from the 2017 Conference

In addition to the usual keynote from Brian Buffini, speakers at this year’s Mastermind Summit include author Mitch Albom and Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton.

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World Global Real Estate Conference

Date: February 27th-March 5th 2017 Location: Miami
Best ROI for: Broker Owners, senior management, and relocation professionals
Click Here For Registration and Pricing Info

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World’s annual Global Real Estate Conference is an unparalleled opportunity to glean insight and inspiration from a global network of the world’s best real estate companies. This conference is one of the best networking opportunities available for global minded agents and brokers.

What to Expect from the 2017 Conference

While they haven’t released their 2017 schedule yet, last year’s conference attracted more than 2,500 attendees and featured speakers, including daredevil Blue Angel Pilot John Foley, tech company CEO and New York Times bestselling author Josh Linkner, and renowned body language expert Susan Constantine.

Real Trends Gathering of Eagles

Date: April 26th-28th 2017 Location: Denver
Best ROI for: All agents and brokers
Click Here For Registration and Pricing Info

Founded in 1987, Real Trends has been the go-to source for news, analysis, and statistics on the real estate brokerage industry. Released in partnership with the Wall Street Journal, Real Trends rankings are the most respected national rankings for agents, teams, and brokerages. Their annual Gathering of Eagles Conference honors the best of the best in the real estate industry.

What to Expect from the 2017 Conference

2017’s Gathering of Eagles featured speakers include leadership teacher and number one bestselling author Jim Collins.

8th Annual NYC Real Estate Expo

Date: TBA Location: New York City
Best ROI for: NYC agents and brokers
Click Here For Registration and Pricing Info (TBA)

Organized by the New York City Network Group, the annual New York City Real Estate Expo boasts speakers, exhibitors, and panelists from real estate development, law, marketing, architecture, interior design, and financial planning. The focus of the expo, as you might have guessed from the name, is the enigmatic and mercurial real estate industry in New York City.

What to Expect from the 2017 Conference

While they haven’t released their 2017 schedule yet, 2016’s speakers and panelists included Time Equities CEO Francis Greenburger, CBRE chairman Stephen Siegel, and Cadre Co-Founder Ryan Williams.

Inman Connect

Date: January 16th-20th 2017 Location: New York City
Best ROI for: All agent and brokers
Click Here For Registration and Pricing Info

Inman Connect is one of the largest and most popular real estate conferences in the country. Last year, more than 3500 CEOs, tech entrepreneurs, marketing executives, and top producing real estate agents attended Inman Connect to share hard won knowledge and learn from the best.

What to Expect from the 2017 Conference

2017’s Inman Connect conference in New York City boasts an incredible lineup of speakers including Million Dollar Listing’s Fredrik Eklund. Moz CEO Rand Fishkin, author and long distance swimmer Diana Nyad, and more.

Inman Luxury Connect

Date: October 18th and 19th 2017 Location: Beverly Hills
Best ROI for: Agents and brokers who work in (or want to work in) luxury real estate
Click Here For Registration and Pricing Info (TBA)

For Luxury Connect, Inman brings the same caliber of superstar speakers and panelists that they do with Connect. The only difference is that Inman Luxury Connect focuses on the alluring and all too often elusive luxury real estate market.

What to Expect from the 2017 Conference

Inman’s 2017 Luxury Connect conference schedule includes industry legends like New York City’s own Dolly lenz, luxury agent and RoofShot founder Ben Bacal of Rodeo Realty, and Hilton and Hyland’s Gary Gold.

Inman Hacker Connect

Date: January 16th 2017 Location: New York City
Best ROI for: Agents, brokers, and developers interested in RE technology
Click Here For Registration and Pricing Info

Inman’s Hacker Connect offers a rare and valuable deep dive into the technology that is transforming our industry at a breakneck pace. Perfect for tech focused agents and brokers, as well as developers who are interested in offering their wares to the real estate industry. Want to know more about cutting edge real estate technology? – check out our list here of the best real estate software.

What to Expect from the 2017 Conference

Inman’s 2017 Hacker Connect features speakers and panelists like Dotloop’s Daivak Shah, NAR’s Chad Curry, and Alain Pinel’s Tom Flanagan.

Tom Ferry’s Success Summit

Date: August 8th-11th 2017 Location: Las Vegas
Best ROI for: All agents and brokers
Click Here For Registration and Pricing Info

Lauded real estate coach Tom Ferry’s annual Success Summit offers agents a chance to hear Tom live in person, but more importantly lets them hear from agents who have dramatically changed their lives and careers using his techniques.

What to Expect from the 2017 Conference

Expect to hear wisdom and insight from Tom himself as well as other successful and up and coming agents using his strategies to close more deals.

Keller Williams Mega Camp

Date: September 12th-15th 2017 Location: Austin
Best ROI for: All agents and brokers
Click Here For Registration and Pricing Info (TBD)

For Keller Williams agents, the annual Mega Camp conference is like Woodstock except instead of brown acid and Jimi Hendrix, they have amazing networking opportunities and battle-tested, actionable marketing and sales strategies.

What to Expect from the 2017 Conference

Speakers and panelists at 2017’s Mega Camp range from everyday Keller Williams agents to Keller’s own iconic founder and bestselling author Gary Keller.

Fortune Builders Bootcamp Summit

Date: Varies Location: San Diego
Best ROI for: Agents who want to transition to fix and flip or work with investors
Click Here For Registration and Pricing Info

Fix and flip reality television star and real estate coach Than Merrill is having something of a moment. In addition to his popular television show, Merrill has seen huge success as a coach and motivational speaker.

What to Expect from the 2017 Conference

2017’s Bootcamp Summit features speakers Than Merrill and Paul and JD Esajian, covering real estate wholesaling, rehabbing, and REO and short sales.

Looking for an in-depth guide to fixing and flipping houses? Check out our guide here.

The Counselors of Real Estate 2017 Annual Convention

Date: September 24th-27th 2017 Location: Montreal, Canada
Best ROI for: Agents and brokers with CRE designation
Click Here For Registration and Pricing Info (TBD)

The Counselors of Real Estate Annual Convention is the place where real estate’s best and brightest go to strengthen their knowledge and get inspired.

What to Expect from the 2017 Conference

While they haven’t released their 2017 schedule yet, former speakers have included Fannie Mae’s Director of Green Financing Chrissa Pagitsas, and Mark Zandi, Chief Economist for Moody’s Analytics.

RESA International Home Staging Convention

Date: January 19th-21st 2017 Location: Las Vegas
Best ROI for: Home staging professionals
Click Here For Registration and Pricing Info

RESA’s annual home staging convention is the largest gathering of home stagers in the country. The conference focuses on changes to the industry as well as marketing and running a business. Looking for a guide on the best virtual home staging service? Check out our in-depth guide here.

What to Expect from the 2017 Conference

RESA’s 2017 convention includes speakers like lifestyle expert Sabrina Soto and famed interior designer Fred Berns.

2017 Realtor Broker Summit

Date: February 14th-15th 2017 Location: San Diego
Best ROI for: Broker owners
Click Here For Registration and Pricing Info

The Realtor Broker Summit offers fresh insight into the ever changing industry that real estate brokers face today.

What to Expect from the 2017 Conference

2017’s speakers include former Tesla and Apple executive George Blankenship and 5 time Olympian Kerri Walsh-Jennings.

Real Estate Women’s Forum: New York

Date: February 16th 2017 Location: New York City
Best ROI for: Women who work in the real estate industry
Click Here For Registration and Pricing Info

The Annual Women’s Real Estate forum focuses on the unique opportunities and challenges women working in the real estate industry face today.

What to Expect from the 2017 Conference

2017’s speakers include industry titan Dolly Lenz of Dolly Lenz Real Estate; Jennifer Bernell, Director of Development for Kushner Companies; and Sydney Mainster, Sustainability Manager for the Durst Organization.

Century 21 Global Conference

Date: March 6th-9th 2017 Location: Las Vegas
Best ROI for: Century 21 agents and brokers
Click Here For Registration and Pricing Info

With a tagline like “don’t call it a conference,” you can expect something interesting from Century 21’s annual Global Conference.

What to Expect from the 2017 Conference

Unlike most conferences, Century 21’s Global Conference focuses less on bold faced names and more on agent development and recognition. Expect coaching seminars, awards ceremonies, and invite only dinners and networking events.

10 Networking Tips for to Get the Best ROI from Real Estate Conferences and Conventions

Since attending a real estate conference or convention can mean an investment of a thousand dollars or more after registration, airfare, and hotels, you need to have a plan to ensure you make the most of your time there. The 10 tips below will help you get the best ROI from the conference.

1. Have a Networking Game Plan

Before you even consider attending a real estate conference or convention, figure out what you want to accomplish from attending. This might be something as simple as learning new skills, finding investors for your startup, or recruiting new agents for your brokerage. Once you’ve set your goals, you can then figure out which attendees you should talk to so you can accomplish them.

Many smaller conferences publish lists of attendees for this very reason. Do your homework, and try to come up with a list of people you’d like to network with at the conference. Pulling headshots from LinkedIn for your list and having it on your phone can be a great way help target your networking efforts while you’re at the conference.

2. Bring Business Cards–Lots of Them

Even in the age of frighteningly powerful CRMs, business cards still matter. Having a physical reminder to reach out to someone you’ve met can help increase responses rates. In fact, I have a stack of business cards from the 2016 Realtors Conference and Expo on my desk right now. When I’ve needed a source on tight deadline, I’ve reached for this stack of cards multiple times in the past few months. Sifting through the thousands of entries in our CRM just isn’t the same.

Need to spruce up your business card? Check out our list of the top 25 real estate business cards here for some inspiration.

3. Learn How to Remember People’s Names

While almost everyone has differing taste in music, the vast majority of the world agrees on their favorite sound: their own name. Using someone’s name in conversation helps you instantly transcend your interaction from the superficial to the personal. For networking, this is where the magic happens. If you need a quick primer on how to remember someone’s name, check out Kristi Hedge’s great writeup over on Forbes.

4. Rehearse Your Elevator Pitch

Out of the hundreds of people milling about the auditorium, why should the influencer you want to work with take the time to talk to you? What makes your brokerage startup, app idea, or team unique? You need to be able to convey this to people you meet at the conference, and since distractions are endless, you need to do it quickly. It may feel corny, but writing out a short, impactful elevator pitch and actually practicing how you’ll deliver it can be a huge help.

5. Anticipate Questions, and Know How to Answer Them

Just like dealing with objections while on a listing presentation, you need to be ready to answer common (and not so common) questions people will have about your business. Why is your boutique brokerage unique? What are you offering that will be of value to conference attendees? How do you plan to scale? Spending a few hours figuring out the answers to questions like this can have a huge impact on your networking success.

6. Take Notes

Remembering who gave you that great tip or personal recommendation after a night of meeting a few dozen people can be a challenge. Adding alcohol to the mix can make it extremely challenging. In order to supplement you less than perfect memory, taking notes after fruitful conversations can be a huge help. You can jot down notes on your phone, or make quick notes on the backs of business cards you’ve been given.

When you have some downtime (maybe between conference sessions), make sure you transfer your notes to your CRM so you know who to follow up with once your return from the conference.

7. Think about What You Can Give, Not Just What You Can Get

According to studies conducted by Francesca Gino from the Harvard Business Review, professionals reported actually feeling physically dirty after just thinking about one-sided, “what’s in it for me” networking. To avoid the icky feelings many people associate with one-sided networking, Francesca and her team recommend focusing on what you can offer others, shared interests, and a genuine desire for growth.

8. Personalize Your Follow Up

If you were diligent about networking at the conference, you might have a few dozen or more people that you’d like to reach out to to build relationships. While sending out a salesy “email blast” might be tempting, it can often kill a relationship before it even has a chance to bloom. Remember Francesca’s research results from tip number 8. If the people engaging in one-sided networking felt physically dirty even thinking about one-sided networking, imagine how the people on the receiving end felt? Instead, use your notes to personalize your follow ups to engage your contacts on a personal level. Email follow up is probably the best way to go here.

9. Know Your Limits

A few years ago a sommelier friend here in New York invited me to a wine tasting. Although she was careful to tell me spitting out the wine is important, I decided to ignore her advice. After a few hours and untold glasses of wine, I had to be helped into a taxi. Real estate conferences and conventions are no different. Social pressure, usually free drinks, and a desire to have a good time can quickly ruin your networking efforts. Know your limits and remember to pace yourself at social functions.

10. Wear Comfortable Shoes

Even for a seasoned New York City real estate agent like myself, spending a full day walking between breakout groups, attending cocktail mixers, and networking can be murder on your feet. Those Jimmy Choos might look amazing, but after a full day at a conference you might wish you wore a pair of Nikes instead. Try and find a balance between formal and functional footwear.

Over to You

Know of a great real estate conference or convention in 2017 that we missed or want to share a great networking tip? Let us know in the comments.

P.S. If you find yourself in New York City for a conference, send me an email and I’ll invite you up to our office for a cup of famously delicious Zabar’s coffee.

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