Conference Program
Real Estate Connect San Francisco 2009, Aug 4, 2009 – Aug 6, 2009 • Palace Hotel, San FranciscoPRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS:
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Wednesday, August 5, 2009
MAIN CONFERENCE
Wednesday, August 5, 3:00 pm – 3:20 pm
WELCOME ADDRESS
Innovation in Media
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Bradley Inman, Founder and Publisher of Inman News
Wednesday, August 5, 3:20 pm – 3:30 pm
Download: Ten Tools and Technologies You Need to Know About (And Ideas for Putting Them to Work)
Get 10 takeaways you can implement immediately to differentiate, save and grow. Brian will show you tools you hadn't heard of and give you some tactics for making them work for you.
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Presentation by: Brian Boero, Partner, 1000Watt Consulting
Wednesday, August 5, 3:30 pm – 3:55 pm
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
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Nick Bilton, Designer, User Interface Specialist, Technologist, Journalist, Hardware
Hacker, Researcher, The New York Times
Wednesday, August 5, 3:55 pm – 4:15 pm
One-on-One
A conversation with Craig Newmark about social media, philanthropy, government and the nature of change in 2009.
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Bradley Inman, Founder and Publisher of Inman News
Craig Newmark, customer service rep & founder, craigslist.org
Wednesday, August 5, 4:15 pm – 4:30 pm
Connect Create
72 hours. A room of developers. One killer app. Competitors in a first-ever online real estate developers challenge are introduced.
Wednesday, August 5, 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
An Unusual Response to Desperate Times
How one broker took a strange journey to turn around the energy in her firm.
Wednesday, August 5, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Cocktails@Connect
Thursday, August 6, 2009
MAIN CONFERENCE
Thursday, August 6, 8:30 am – 9:00 am
Duet
Listings, Leads and Vision. What's the Ideal Online Real Estate Business Model?
15 years after the first listing went online, the online real estate code remains un-cracked. Two leaders - one with roots going back ten years, the other a Web 2.0 darling - debate the best way to create value online.
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Louis Cammarosano, General Manager, HomeGain
Sami Inkinen, Co-Founder & CEO, Trulia
Thursday, August 6, 9:00 am – 9:10 am
Download: Ten New Ways to Leverage Social Media
Go WAY beyond blogging, Facebook and Twitter to discover ten new ways for you or your company to seize the social media opportunity.
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Presentation by: Jeff Turner, President, Real Estate Shows
Thursday, August 6, 9:10 am – 9:45 am
Connect Launchpad
Be the FIRST to see new online real estate applications as CEO's from new companies get 5 minutes to show you what they've got.
Thursday, August 6, 9:45 am – 9:55 am
Connect Solo: The Real Estate Office of the Future
Sherry Chris, CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, peers into the future of brokerage with a multimedia tour of a new model real estate office, a streamlined financial model, and a blueprint for a culture of change.
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Presentation by: Sherry Chris, President & CEO, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC
Thursday, August 6, 9:55 am – 10:30 am
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Building a Brand that Matters
Zappos became one of the most talked about companies in the world by creating an amazing culture and brand. Alfred Lin will share what it took to make that happen and the top 10 things he learned along the way.
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Alfred Lin, Chairman, COO & CFO, Zappos.com
Thursday, August 6, 10:30 am – 11:00 am
Duet
Building a Better Brokerage Mousetrap: The Agent vs. Consumer Centered Approach
A passionate advocate of "consumer first" transparency goes head-to-head with the mastermind behind one of America's most successful - and profitable - traditional brokerages.
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Glenn Kelman, CEO & President, Redfin
Kevin Levent, President & CEO, Metro Brokers/GMAC Real Estate
Thursday, August 6, 11:00 am – 11:20 am
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
20 million people visited Yelp last month. Thousands of real estate pros have been reviewed on the site. Find out what it means for your brand.
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Jeremy Stoppelman, Co-founder and CEO, Yelp Inc.
Thursday, August 6, 11:20 am – 11:45 pm
Panel
From the Ashes: The Housing Market in a Post-Crash World
A technologist, a forecaster, a real estate CEO and an economist look beyond 2009 to illuminate opportunities beyond the bust.
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Margaret Kelly, CEO, RE/MAX International
Ashfaq Munshi, Founder & CEO, Terabitz
Steve Ozonian, Executive Chairman of Sorrento Capital, Inc.
Joel Singer, Executive Vice President, California Association of REALTORS®
Thursday, August 6, 11:45 am – 12:00 pm
One-On-One
Move's new CEO, who was formerly CEO of search engine Ask.com, offers his take on the future of online real estate and media.
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Steven Berkowitz, CEO and Director, Move® and REALTOR.com®
Bradley Inman, Founder and Publisher of Inman News
Thursday, August 6, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
MEET THE LEADERS
Steven Berkowitz, CEO and Director, Move® and REALTOR.com®
Sherry Chris, President & CEO, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC
Constance Freedman, Managing Director, Second Century Ventures; VP of Strategic Investments, NAR / Second Century Ventures
Peter Flint, CEO, Trulia
Glenn Kelman, CEO & President, Redfin
Alfred Lin, Chairman, COO & CFO, Zappos.com
Spencer Rascoff, COO, Zillow.com
Rick Sharga, Senior Vice President, RealtyTrac
Bill Tancer, General Manager of Global Research, Hitwise; Author, Click: What Millions of People Are Doing Online and Why it Matters
Thursday, August 6, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
MEET THE INMAN WRITERS
Meet Glenn Rovberts Jr., Managing Editor of Inman News and some of the columinsts you Read every day and rely on for information, advice and entertainment.
The Inman News "Tech Trio" — 3 New Technology Columnists:
Gahlord Dewald
Joseph Ferrara
Robert Hahn
And also meet these other leading Inman News columnists:
Kris Berg: Letters From the Home Front
Teresa Boardman: Realtor Notebook
Marcie Geffner: House Keys
Tara-Nicholle Nelson: Now 5 days a week!
Bernice Ross: Now 3 columns per week!
INNOVATION TRACKS
Get serious about the issues that are important to your company and your future. Meet the experts who are delivering new products, new business models and new ideas.
TRACK 1 - Market Transformation
Moderated by: Leslie Appleton-Young, Vice President & Chief Economist, California Association of REALTORS®
Thursday, August 6, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Presentation
Avoiding Another Meltdown: New Tools for Real Estate Due Diligence
Will more data and deeper analytics save us from market collapses in the future? Experts with new tools to measure markets and gauge risk share their newest creations.
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Tom Glassanos, President and CEO, SmartZip, Inc. (not pictured)
Kyle Lundstedt, Managing Director, LPS Applied Analytics
Michael Simonsen, CEO, Altos Research Corp. (not pictured)
Thursday, August 6, 2:50 pm – 3:35 pm
Presentation
The Foreclosure MLS: Creating an Efficient Marketplace to Speed the Cleanup
Foreclosures account for most of the inventory in many areas, yet the foreclosure market remains fragmented, unsystematized and void of standards. Learn how we can move to a more transparent and cooperative foreclosure market - and how you can profit from it.
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Sean O'Toole, Founder & CEO, ForeclosureRadar.com
David E. Schubb, Realtor, The Schubb Group
Thursday, August 6, 3:40 pm – 4:25 pm
Blowing Up the Black Box: How to Make Radical Transparency Work
"Transparency" has become a Web 2.0 buzzword. And openness about business practices can build trust. But before you open up your brand, you'll want to know how to do it right. Three companies that have exposed previously guarded corners of the industry give you the do's and dont's.
Anthony Farwell, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO, ClosingCorp Inc.
David Gibbons, Director of Community Relations, Zillow.com
Mark Warner, CEO, RealEspace® of RateWindow
Thursday, August 6, 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Democratizing the REO Business
The bank owned space has traditionally been the territory of a few insiders. As REOs skyrocket, how will consumers and brokers create a more efficient, open market?
Deborah Leone, Principal and Founder, Lions Gate Financial
Robert Weichelt, Senior California DREO & REOMAC Certification Trainer, LionsGate Financial Network
TRACK 2 - Broker/Owner Breakout: Start on the Road to Reinvention
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Moderated by: Marc Davison, Partner, 1000Watt Consulting
Thursday, August 6, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Live Lab
The 30-Minute Brokerage Web Site Makeover
Your Web site's tired. You don't get enough leads. In this session, we'll break down a brokerage company home page and replace it with something stunning and effective while explaining the hows and whys along the way. If you've ever wondered where to start in a Web overhaul, this is a session for you.
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Eric M. Bryn, VP of Strategic Development, Intellectual Property Counsel, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®
Ryan Carrell, Director of Relocation Services, Carpenter Realtors®
Thursday, August 6, 2:50 pm – 3:35 pm
Case Study
How Two Companies Built Killer Web Sites from Scratch
A broker/owner and a brokerage marketing executive walk you through their journey towards a progressive Web strategy. They'll share lessons learned, offer tips on vendor selection, and show you the results of their efforts.
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Aman Daro, VP, Integrated Marketing, McGuire Real Estate
Jonathan Kauffmann, Principal Broker/Owner, Nest Realty Group
Thursday, August 6, 3:40 pm – 4:25 pm
Presentation
How to Build a Brand that Matters in Real Estate
@properties became the #1 real estate brokerage in Chicago in just eight years by cultivating a powerful brand. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate successfully leveraged one of America's best-loved brands in real estate. Our speakers will share what it took to make that happen and how you can create a brand that matters in your market.
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Camilla Sullivan, SVP Marketing, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, LLC
Thaddeus Wong, Co-Founder & CEO, @properties
Thursday, August 6, 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Discussion
New Real Estate Math: How to Slash, Burn and Rebuild Your P&L
There's no arguing the fact that the brokerage model as we knew it seldom pencils anymore. Go beyond the hand-wringing and get advice from people who have successfully right-sized brokerages, made the tough calls and lived to tell about it.
Steven Harney, CEO, Steven Harney, Inc.
Nicolai Kolding, COO, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, LLC
TRACK 3 - The MLS
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Moderated by: Michael Wurzer, President & CEO, FBS Data Systems
Thursday, August 6, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Discussion
From Listing Data to People Data: The Next Challenge in VOWs and MLS Consumer Sites
The VOW discussion has focused on rules and politics. But what are the business opportunities for brokers and MLS organizations that leverage VOWs? Three leaders share how you can use a VOW implementation to drive more business and learn more about your customers.
Bill Chee, President, Prudential Locations
Kathy Condon, President & CEO, MLS PIN
Ira Luntz, Executive VP and COO, ListingBook.com, President, Real Estate Information Professionals Association
Thursday, August 6, 2:50 pm – 3:35 pm
Presentation
The Market Analytics Opportunity: How MLSs Can Conquer the Neighborhood
"How's the market?" - it's a question everyone's asking and MLS organizations are uniquely qualified to answer. Three leaders who have successfully leveraged local market data share insights on how your organization can seize the opportunity.
Mark Allen, CEO, Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors
Bob Bemis, CEO, Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service
Spencer Rascoff, COO, Zillow.com
Thursday, August 6, 3:40 pm – 4:25 pm
Debate
Agent Ratings: Truth, Consequences or Camouflage?
Transparency is good...or is it? Is there such a thing as semi-transparency? Should an MLS even touch this issue? The CEO of HAR, which has launched a Realtor rating service, and the CEO of Redfin, which rates all agents and publicly displays the results, share the good, the bad and the scary behind helping people choose a broker/agent.
Bob Hale, CEO, Houston Association of Realtors
Glenn Kelman, CEO & President, Redfin
Thursday, August 6, 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Case Study
Not If-But How To Build an Excellent Public Search Site Members Will Love
Move beyond the debate on whether or not public MLS Web sites are good or bad in a session focused on how to build a really good one if it makes sense in your market. Two MLS executives who emerged from this process with excellent products share their lessons learned and best advice.
Dan Gies, MLS® & Technology Council (MTC) Chair, CREA
Laura Wolford, VP Marketing & Sales, MRIS
TRACK 4 - Technology and Media
Moderated by:
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Daniel Rothamel, Community Manager, Inman News
Thursday, August 6, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Presentation
How the Amazon Kindle Will Change Your Business
The Kindle is not just a book reader: It's the harbinger of an entirely new way of delivering and consuming media, one that will quickly impact online real estate. Get a clear look in the future - and tips for preparing for it.
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Joel Burslem, Director of Product Development, Vook.tv
Thursday, August 6, 2:50 pm – 3:35 pm
Presentation
Seizing the Local/Mobile Opportunity
A boom in mobile, location-aware technologies, applications and devices is sweeping the Web and just now starting to hit real estate. One of the nation's top analysts on mobile applications and their application to local businesses shares hard data and informed insights on what to expect, and when.
Greg Sterling, Principal, Sterling Market Intelligence
Thursday, August 6, 3:40 pm – 4:25 pm
Presentation
Thriving on the Converged, Fragmented, Widgetized Web
How to slice, dice, market and monetize your content in an open, converging Web landscape.
Channing Dawson, Senior Advisor, Scripps Networks Interactive
Brad Jefferson, Co-Founder & CEO, Animoto Productions
Peter Yared, CEO, iWidgets
Thursday, August 6, 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Presentation
Anticipating the Post-Newspaper Era: How to Become the Media in Your Marketplace
Traditional media is dying. You can no longer buy media, you must create it. Learn how to do it from people who have done it.
Geoff Dougherty, Editor, Chi-Town Daily News
Patrick Kitano, Managing Partner, Domus Consulting Group
Adam Koval, Founder/Editor in Chief, SocketSite.com
DEEP DIVES
Freewheeling and intense conversations about critical topics of the day, facilitated by industry leaders. Join in and have your say!
Thursday, August 6, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
DEEP DIVE 1: Real Estate SEO
How to Get It Right, Avoid the Snake Oil, and Measure Results
Moderated by: John Erickson, Senior VP SEO, LeadQual
DEEP DIVE 2: Twitter and Facebook Best Practices
Moving beyond setting up your account to driving engagement and avoiding embarrassment.
Moderated by: Nicole Nicolay, Co-Founder, Effektive Solutions, MyTechOpinion
DEEP DIVE 3: Online Video
How, Why, What, When: How to Get it Right!
Moderated by: Christian Sterner, Co-Founder, WellcomeMat.com
DEEP DIVE 4: Vendor Confidential
How to market and sell technology in real estate.
Moderated by: Clark Alexander, Founder, Alexander Group LLC
Thursday, August 6, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Cocktails@Connect
Friday, August 7, 2009
MAIN CONFERENCE
Friday, August 7, 9:00 am – 9:15 am
Connect Solo
How TV, The Web, Your Phone and the Social Universe are Colliding (In A Good Way).
Scripps Networks Interactive president, Deanna Brown, delivers a crash-course on the dramatic change that’s coming (or already here) and how you can take advantage of it to grab (and hold) consumers’ attention.
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Presentation by: Deanna Brown, President, Scripps Networks Digital
Friday, August 7, 9:15 am – 9:40 am
Innovator Award Winners Announced
Friday, August 7, 9:40 am – 10:15 am
Duet
Mortgage Reboot: Will Startups or Stalwarts Ensure Safer and Saner Lending Practices?
A renowned tech journalist turned mortgage visionary debates a respected banking executive on the best way to avoid another wave of mortgage madness.
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Robert X. Cringely, Co-Founder, Home-Account
Carter Murdoch, SVP; Realtor/Builder Relationship Manager, Bank of America
Friday, August 7, 10:15 am - 10:25 am
Download: 10 Ways to Work Smarter and Faster
Xobni, became a hot technology company by helping people better organize their lives. Co-Founder Matt Brezina will share his ten top tips - things you'll be able to share with your organization Monday morning
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Presentation by: Matt Brezina, Co-Founder, Xobni
Friday, August 7, 10:25 am – 11:00 am
Connect Create Projects Unveiled
Developers demo the online real estate innovations they've created in the past 48 hours for our panel of expert judges - and YOU.
Judge, Zach Scott, COO, Point2 Technologies
Judge, Dan Woolley, Co-Founder, W&R Studios
Judge, Constance Freedman, Managing Director, Second Century Ventures; VP of Strategic Investments, NAR / Second Century Ventures
Friday, August 7, 11:00 am – 11:45 am
What Have We Learned? A Real Estate Town Hall
Friday, August 7, 11:45 am
Program Ends

















