By Peter G. Miller Real estate brokerage features an assortment of meetings, expos and conventions designed to further professional skills. And while there's a good case to be made that attendance is useful, conventions should be seen primarily as a business function and not a social event.
Conventions represent a cash expense for airplane tickets, hotel rooms, food and the meeting itself.
These charges are clear to everyone, but another expense category is often overlooked. When you're at a meeting you're not listing properties or representing buyers, thus opportunities to make money are lost. If you don't go to the meeting you may not see a new product, service, or concept that can make you big dollars in the future. There are many possible industry events that may warrant your attention, so you need to pick and choose with care. Some events represent good opportunities to acquire continuing-ed credits, catch up on changes to state laws, and see new products and services.