Tips and Tricks for Attending

BY LEE NELSON

Many Realtors® across the state have attended or will be attending virtual conferences to keep up on continuing education credits, to get inspiration, and to network as large-scale conferences are canceled for the rest of the year.

A lot of good things can be said about virtual conferences including accessibility, no hotels or restaurants to pay, and no travel time. Just like attending an in-person conference, virtual conferences offer many options such as keynote speakers, discussion panels, socializing and networking, educational opportunities, and even exhibit halls.

But how can you get the most out of it and network with other attendees when you aren’t together physically?

Louis Wells, Director for The Center for Applied Improvisation and Theater at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, was a speaker at an improvisation virtual conference in April and is a member of an educational symposium conference planning board that will be held online in February.

“A conference by nature is an optimistic endeavor,” says Wells. “But it does take a lot of energy to speak in a Zoom conference, and it takes a lot of energy to listen during these conferences.”

Preparing for a Virtual Conference

If you want to gain the most from a virtual conference, that time needs to be prioritized as if you were at an in-person event.

Schedule time off from your regular job or routine and make sure to put the conference on your calendar. Check your emails for updated information about the conference once you register.

During the day of the conference, “You should turn your phone off or put it in another room if you aren’t using it for the conference. The gravitational pull of a phone is big,” says Wells.

Wells adds you need to be present and have your video on during the conference so you aren’t distracted. A notepad and pencil are the best tools to have with you.

“A notepad is your best friend. It retains information and keeps you focused,” says Wells. “You can even doodle because your mind is still making connections.”

Wells believes you need to prepare your environment for maximum comfort before turning on your conference.

Comfort doesn’t mean wearing your sloppy sweatshirt. Instead, dress for success as if you were attending the conference in person, says Rose La Pira, broker-associate at RE/MAX Properties in Englewood Cliffs. She has attended many virtual conferences during the COVID-19 shutdown and even before that.

“Some people need to do the conferences in their bedroom (or the basement or other rooms that might not be the best presentable-wise). You can use a virtual background on your computer,” says La Pira.

Engage and Network with the Attendees and Presenter

When La Pira joins a virtual conference, she always tries to distinguish herself from others by introducing herself in a different way to stand out. For instance, if it’s a conference with lots of different professions, she writes, Rose La Pira, Realtor®. If the group of attendees are not from New Jersey, she often writes, “New Jersey Realtor®.” It gets the discussion going.

“I’ve had people say things like, ‘My mother was born in New Jersey,’ or something similar, and then we start a conversation,” says La Pira. “I always like to change it up when I’m on a conference call. I put some kind of information about myself in the chat or in the question section.”

William Thompson, Jr., New Jersey Realtors® Director of Technology sets up the webinars, Zoom meetings, and conferences for the association. He admits that often times, people in some of the virtual breakout sessions don’t talk to each other. So he works with the presenter, who then moves from room to room to get things started.

Attendees can engage with the host and presenter by asking questions too.

“Just remember that the key to meeting people, even online, is listening to them,” Wells says. “Ask them questions. People love to talk, especially about themselves. Ask them about their goals and what they want.”

Offer responses to help them before you get to yourself. You’ll make better connections that way, Wells adds.

Advantages of a Virtual Conference

The cost of traveling, hotels, taxis, and food are reduced to nothing when you attend a virtual conference.

La Pira likes these types of conferences because she saves on time, travel and money, and she can continue helping her clients without being gone for days.

Online conferences can be helpful especially now when many people are homeschooling their children because of COVID-19 concerns or just to keep safe during a time of social distancing.

Triple Play REALTOR® Convention & Trade Expo

Because of the pandemic, the Triple Play REALTOR® Convention & Trade Expo in Atlantic City—which involves New Jersey Realtors®, Pennsylvania Association of Realtors®, New York State Association of Realtors® and up to 12,000 attendees each year—has been canceled.

New Jersey is creating its own virtual conference Dec. 7-10. It will include the installation of officers for 2021, along with the board’s business meetings, and attendees can choose from a variety of continuing educations courses.

“It’s challenging. There are many aspects of a live, in-person event which attendees can’t take advantage of,” says Maureen Murphy, Vice President of Professional Development at New Jersey Realtors®. “For instance, in order to get continuing education credits, one of the requirements is that you have to interact. We’re doing that with polling quizzes, question-and-answer sessions, and breakout groups.”

To get the most out of virtual conferences and virtual networking, here are some quick tips.

Reboot your internet or computer so everything is working well before you even start.

Don’t be shy about reaching out with questions during breakout sessions or even when the key speaker has a Q&A online.

Network with the people you want to get to know better—set up a happy hour on Zoom.

Know where your mute button is on your computer or phone.

Close all applications on your computer or phone or use the do not disturb setting.

Since the pandemic began, Evelyne Cohen, broker/owner of Living Great Real Estate in Fair Lawn has been delivering live virtual conferences almost every week to help her own agents and anyone else who wants to participate. She has also been a part of Inman and National Association of Realtor® virtual conferences.

She has learned to think ahead and send her questions a few hours before the conference starts. You can contact the moderator before the session.

“Just explain that you are so excited to join the meeting, and here’s my question if you can get around to it,” says Cohen. Sometimes, she gets a response back such as, “Hi Eve. The conference won’t be starting for a couple of hours.” But at least they acknowledged her, and many times her question is asked out loud and answered. Her best advice to getting your question answered is to ask unique ones that evoke interest of the moderator and panels. “But keep it short and sweet,” says Cohen.