PacRim 2008 is the Hawaii Association of REALTORS® annual conference. This year it was held at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on September 18 & 19, 2008.
This year the internet was front and center. Social networking and blogging, including Active Rain were featured topics at this convention.
Bob Stewart the Community Evangelist from Active Rain was the speaker at one of the breakout sessions (I did not make that up. It is actually on his business card). I was extremely honored to be asked the Hawaii Association of REALTORS® (HAR) to do the introduction. Bob did a terrific job of introducing the HAR members to Active Rain and Localism.com. Bob also explained how Active Rain helps you build up GoogleTM juice. There were a few Active Rain members in the class, many happy to meet Bob and learn more about how to make the most of blogging. A few from the neighbor islands wanted to meet me and get pictures. That is proof Active Rain can make you a celebrity.
The keynote speaker was Active Rain member Stefan Swanepoel who is the creator of the Trends Report. He gave us a great overview of the direction the industry is heading. It was really exciting to meet him in person and pick up a signed copy of the report. One of the topics he covered was women's role and success in the real estate industry.
Saul Klein, real estate internet guru gave a wonderful presentation on the use of the internet for our industry. Blogging was part of his presentation. He spoke about Real Town Blogs and the benefits gained through social networking.
The last speaker of the conference was Doug Devitre an Active Rain 
member who is known for free and cheap technology tools and techniques. I got the honor of taking a CRS class with Doug a couple of years ago in Colombia, Missouri. This year he was a presenter at the CRS National Sell-a-bration in Waikiki. He was a hit there. Doug came back to teach a class for our pre-licensing instructors. His appearance at the PacRim was his third visit to Hawaii this year. On Thursday he did a long class for the instructors. On Friday he wrapped up the conference with an excellent presentation of how to utilize technology in our business. He emphasized free and cheap. Gotta love that!
At the conference I got to meet and speak to several of the Active Rain members from the neighbor islands. I left the list off this post, it could get long and I was afraid I might miss someone.
My next trip is to the NAR Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida in November. I look forward to meeting up with many Active Rain members there.
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Randy L. Prothero, REALTOR®, ABR, AHWD, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR
Century 21 Liberty Homes
Randy Prothero is well established as an expert in working with military / VA clients and first time home buyers. His home seller's (listing) campaign is one of the most aggressive marketing programs in the area.
Based out of Mililani, Hawaii. Randy services the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and the Leeward Regional Chairman of the Honolulu Board of Realtors. To improve overall professionalism in his area Randy also offers classes for real estate agents.
www.HawaiiRandy.com * Oahu (Honolulu County) Property Search * Hawaii Military Relocations
That is great to hear. When I go to any real estate convention, I like to go and see speakers who are into talking about social networking and increasing your Internet presence. Thanks for sharing.
Randy
You are all over the place with traveling:I think it's great how much you get into things. It has a real reward being on top of classes.
Sincerely
Tom Braatz
Randy: This is a very cool post. Lived in Hawaii in the late 70's/early 80's and need to make a trip back soon... Haven't been there since 1996 and I am sure things have really changed!
What an honor to get to introduce Bob! Would have loved to have heard all that great information myself!
A first hand conversation with thr head AR GOD had to be a good experience! And I mean that most sincerly!
Carol - This is the first conference in Hawaii to focus as much energy on the topic.
Tom - The classes really help me and my business. The networking and energizing is a great benefit also.
Steve - Things are changing always in our island state. It was definitely an honor. I was amazed that our state association placed so much emphasis on this.
Willtainiam - Always a good experience. Bob gave a lot of great insight in the blogging and Active Rain. He is definitely good at what he does.
Randy,
It was a pleasure to see you again. Thanks for the hospitality. Sorry I didn't get a chance to meet back up with you.........the beach was calling my name :-)
Like I said at the start of my talk, working for an internet company has it's perks, making up your own titles is one of them :-)
We'll see you at NAR again, right?
Bob - Next time I get to Waikoloa I will have to try the resort and beach. That trip was business only.
I will be at NAR. I have my tickets. I hope we will have an AR gathering there.
Randy, thanks so much for sharing. For those of you who couldn't make my presentation here are the slides, pictures, and closing video for the session. http://retechtraining.wordpress.com/2008/09/22/pacific-rim-convention-2008-hawaii-association-of-realtors/
Bob, sorry I missed you. Perhaps another time soon.
Doug - Thank you for adding the link to your presentation. I really enjoyed it.
Randy I would have to agree with Bob that he is the ActiveRain Community Evangelist.
So can we have an Amen to that ....... LOL
Sound great, Randy, I heard Stefan Swanepoel at the RE/MAX Michigan Regional convention. He is fabulous. Did you know he is not blogging on Activerain?
Did Bob get a tan?
Saul, was there too, battle of the blog platforms, huh?
Hi Randy, It sounds like you had a great convention. It feels good to know so many folks through out the US doesn't it?
I'm looking forward to seeing you in November.
Randy- Wow.....isn't it nice to know so many people? This blogging sure has made the world a smaller place, and your Island isn't across the Ocean, it is just a Group away..... LOL :) Anyway, glad you got some good stuff out of the convention.
Hi Randy,
Good for you! Sounds like a great event. Ours in CA is coming up soon. Hope to see you and others in Orlando!
Randy,
I hope to see you in Orlando.
Randy - this sounded like a terrific event, not just because of AR (but of course that takes it to a higher level). How cool to meet some new folks plus come away with some new learning. I am looking forward to the C.A.R. meeting in Long Beach OCt. 14 - 16 and hope to run into a few more AR folks there. Afer all there are lots of us CA Rainers.
Nice pics!
Jeff
Randy - Sound like a great convention and it must have been a pleasure meeting fellow Activerain members
Randy, pretty cool. Sounds like a great time!
active rain community evangelist. Now 'evangelist' is not something you see on a business card too often. sounds like a very cool guy
what a great recap - thanks for sharing such great photos and highlights
George S. - I would say Amen to that.
Missy -
Bryant - It is really cool to have so many friends in the industry across the country. I am looking forward to meeting you in person. I hope TLW will be doing better by then.
Kathy M. - Active Rain has helped me make so many connects across the country. Being in Hawaii I have been so fortunate to have many of them visit us here, including you.
Lynda - I hope to see you in Orlando. I will also be in San Francisco for the CRS Sell-a-bration next year.
Neal - No matter what WooHoo Sally says, I will settle for a hand shake. Real men don't hug. LOL.
Jeff D. - I remember when you could count the Active Rainers in Hawaii on one hand. Now the group is getting pretty large. The California group must be huge.
Jennifer F. - It truly was.
David M. - I am just sorry that he flew in and out and did not spend any extra time there.
James W. - He definitely lives up to the title.
Thesa - Thank you.
Bob: The water was calling Randy too lol!
Randy: Glad everything worked out....and it's about time you posted a few pics! :)
Randy
I was great meeting you in Hawaii. Thanks for coming to my talk and look forward to seeing you in Orlando.
Stefan
Stefan - I enjoyed you presentation and look forward to seeing you at NAR. Aloha