Panels, Parties, and Purpose

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Overview

Rob and Greg recap their time at Inman San Diego — the first Inman keynote without Brad Inman on stage, new CEO Tom Bohn’s mixed reception, and Greg’s fan encounter with his own book. From there they dig into a bigger debate: what’s the actual purpose of real estate conferences, whether panels count as “education,” and how MLS Reset and other events are trying to carve out a clearer mission.

Key Takeaways

Greg’s second edition of “The Art of the CMA” is out; he’s doing speaking engagements and bulk book buys tied to gigs
This was the first Inman keynote Brad Inman didn’t give himself, following the company sale
New CEO Tom Bond’s keynote got mixed reviews from attendees
Inman has shifted toward more agent/broker-centric content and away from organized real estate coverage
Complaint of the episode: Inman San Diego had no real central lobby bar
Rob argues most real estate conferences (outside NAR events) lack a clear purpose or mission
NAR Midyear and Annual are “working conferences” with real votes and lobbying, unlike most others
Brand conferences (like Keller Williams’ family reunion) succeed because their purpose is obvious
T3 Summit, Gathering of Eagles, and RISMedia events each target a specific tier of attendee for marketing/networking purposes
MLS Reset traces its roots back to the Clarity Conference and the MLS executive workshop model
Rob and Greg disagree on whether panel discussions are ever educational
Greg pushes back, arguing conferences can also be valuable as a source of inspiration and storytelling
Rob’s pitch for an ideal conference: two content sessions total, everything else built around networking and an open bar