BiggerPockets Real Estate Conference: Is it time?

BiggerPockets Real Estate Conference: Is it time?

Joshua D.Pro Member
BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes

One of my goals over the past 6 years has been to produce a real estate investing conference unlike any we've seen before. I believe that BiggerPockets is in a unique position to create a conference that changes the game . . .

While most real estate investing events, seminars, clubs, conferences, etc., revolve around the guru crowd, I think the REI world is longing for something different. Just as we changed the game by creating a community dominated by actual investors and other real estate professionals with their feet on the ground, I think we can and must do the same with a BiggerPockets conference.

With that in mind, I've been brainstorming this thing for a long time now, and have had a few false starts, but I've connected with someone that I believe can help us put on a hugely successful event. He has experience putting on various large and successful conventions, and we've begun to talk about how to proceed with one for BiggerPockets.

That said, while I'm confident in my ideas, I would love to get yours as well!

So . . . here are a few questions I've got for you....

1) If BiggerPockets put on a conference, would you want to attend?
2) Would you be willing to travel (fly) to attend such an event?
3) Do you think 2 days would be adequate for a first shot at it?
4) What kinds of ideas do you have for sessions?
5) What would a BP conference look like to you?
6) Of the real estate and other events that you've attended, what is the one thing that you've liked the most?
7) The least?

Feel free to add anything else to your post . . . I'm just looking to determine the level of enthusiasm and to get some ideas from all of you.

So . . . are you psyched?

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Most Popular Reply

Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2010 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
15y

Sounds awesome Josh!

1. I would definitely attend.

2. Yup...you would have to if you wanted to attend

3. 2 days is probably fine. I would love for it to be longer, but that is probably great for a first event

4. The sessions could have people present on different topics. There are tons of investors on here and I am sure you could start a thread to solicit interest from potential presenters. You could then have people vote on who they want to see present the most or some such

5. Half presentations and half mixers/networking. Perhaps a few hours of presentation followed by structure networking followed by more presentations followed by more networking

6. I think the best events are the ones that have people hit the highlights during their presentations and encourage networking. Hours and hours of lecture doesn't make for a very appealing event IMO

7. Events where people pitch stuff in their presentation or are non-experts on subjects with an agenda

I think one of the big things missing from the experience you are looking to create are local groups too. If BP could structure leaders for local groups and coordinate times for club meetings that would make the whole experience much more powerful IMO. I have met with many BP people by phone and in person and it adds a whole new dimension to the networking. Periodic structured BP club meetings would be very powerful.

See this reply in the discussion

246 Replies

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  • Developer · Garland, TX · Member since 2008 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    15y

    Josh, what do you think about sending out a brief survey to all members?

  • Rental Property Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2009 · 624 posts · 559 votes
    15y

    Josh...

    I know I am late to the game here... but this is a great idea.

    However, as with all great ideas, they take tremendous time and energey to pull off in excellence. And while 56 individual responses may seem like a good start... assuming those 56 are willing to commit (via advance deposit or something similar) to attending, Corey is correct in stating that maybe only 20% of those indicating they will attend... would actually attend... and that attendance would not be enough..

    So... the challenge placed to everyone who indicated that they would attend is this... are you willing to commit, now, to make this event happen.

    I AM... count me in.. where do I sign up?

    Pete

  • Real Estate Agent · Tampa, FL · Member since 2009 · 456 posts · 123 votes
    15y

    I could commit now as well.

    Josh just a thought but on some forums when the admins need something addressed they have send out a private message to everyone. Would you be willing to do something like to alert everyone about this thread? It's possible there are a ton of people who would be interested, but who just haven't seen this damn thread. The forum does have a TON of categories to browse...

  • Owen DashnerPro Member
    Lender · Omaha, NE · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    1) If BiggerPockets put on a conference, would you want to attend?

    Yes.

    2) Would you be willing to travel (fly) to attend such an event?

    Yes. As others have said, centrally located would be ideal, but I'm always game for Vegas. Denver and KC would be great too.

    3) Do you think 2 days would be adequate for a first shot at it?

    Yes.

    4) What kinds of ideas do you have for sessions?
    - Advanced material on certain niche areas of investing (Tax lien investing, probates, marketing for motivated sellers to name a few).

    5) What would a BP conference look like to you?
    - Nice digs
    - Adequate time for networking
    - No upselling
    - Quality speakers who are SME's in a narrow area of focus
    - Record this sucker on DVD and/or streaming video. It would be awesome to be able to pull up topics that were covered that you didn't get the opportunity to attend or were too hungover to remember anything...

    Plus you might be able to sell the DVD's to recoup some costs, plus you could use it to generate a ton more interest for subsequent conferences (so those that didn't go can kick themselves and vow to attend the next one).

    6) Of the real estate and other events that you've attended, what is the one thing that you've liked the most?

    Networking opportunities, engaging speakers, good reference materials so that I don't have to concentrate so hard on taking notes.

    7) The least?

    Ugly cocktail servers, poorly stocked minibars, and blackjack players sitting third base at my table who split tens and/or hit when the dealer shows 16.

    Oh, and I also don't like upselling.

  • Member since 2009 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    15y

    I'd be willing to buy the dvd of the events :)

    I would love to attend but it would depend on dates and location.

  • Flipper/Rehabber · cincinnati, OH · Member since 2009 · 211 posts · 59 votes
    15y

    I'm in. Sounds like a great idea!

  • Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2010 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    15y

    How about advertising this thread at the top of the newsletter that goes out to stir up some interest?

    Originally posted by wheelhouse:
    The Bill vs. Bryan vs. Rich cage match would also be worth the trip.

    A cage match sounds good. Does everyone get brass knuckles? :mrgreen:

  • Engineer · Bel Air, MD · Member since 2009 · 136 posts · 24 votes
    15y

    I love the idea. I would attend without a dout. Two days would be great and I would be willing to travel anywhere for it.

  • Engineer · Bel Air, MD · Member since 2009 · 136 posts · 24 votes
    15y

    I think this would be great for new guys like myself just getting into Real Estate. Meeting alot of great people with alot of knowledge.

  • Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2008 · 557 posts · 70 votes
    15y

    Consider me a "commit" if it happens this month.

  • Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2010 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    15y

    This may have already been mentioned, but I think some primers on how to find money for deals the right way would be a great use of conference speaker time too. This question gets asked at least once a week on BP in some form or fashion.

  • Investor · Port Tobacco, MD · Member since 2008 · 20 posts · 7 votes
    15y

    I think this is a great idea and would definitely be in. I would travel anywhere in the continental US, where it isn't snowing, to attend.

  • FL · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 357 votes
    15y

    Count me as a willing participant.

    Thank you.

    Raymond

  • Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2010 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    15y

    If it ends up that we want a speaker for finding and organizing money I have someone I can recommend that would likely attend and speak.

  • Landlord · Seattle, WA · Member since 2010 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    Looking forward to the conference. It will be a great opportunity to meet fellow BPers and I hope that much of the education is presented by fellow BPers.

  • Developer · Garland, TX · Member since 2008 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    15y

    Josh, do you have a date in mind yet? I am working on scheduling trips and other commitments for the rest of the year. I'm sure others would like to block the date off, too.

  • Investor · Springfield, MA · Member since 2010 · 276 posts · 84 votes
    15y

    I am in!! When and where?

  • Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    15y

    Josh, I'm sure you know enough people in the industry to select great entertainment. (speaker(s)), LOL

    Is the a date, time and place that is even being thought of?

  • Real Estate Agent · North Jersey, NJ · Member since 2008 · 287 posts · 51 votes
    15y

    Josh,

    I think a conference like this would be a great opportunity, I'd attend anywhere in the US and make it a priority.

    I'm probably repeating other ideas already mentioned but here's what I think...

    -Having an open forum with a panel of speakers on a specific topic would be perfect!
    Most conferences have speakers one after another come in and ramble on with no open discussion and that would really restrict how much we are able to learn.
    - A debate? I have noticed on the forum some arguments in strategies on acquiring properties etc. etc...

    -I like the idea of regional events as well, for the long term. Maybe monthly events...

    I also agree that the basic topics and advanced ones should be on different days for people that can't attend both days will be able to choose...

    Looking forward to this...

  • Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2010 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    15y

    Many people from our Meetup said they would attend today. They don't post as regularly anymore so my suspicion is that they haven't seen the thread.

  • Investor · Southlake, TX · Member since 2009 · 950 posts · 338 votes
    15y

    I don't know if this would even be possible, but I think it would be cool to have name badges with everyone's BP avitar. Especially since many (including me) don't have a photo of themselves, or don't use their complete name. This would help recognize those folks a little easier.

  • Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2010 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    15y

    Or you could post your picture Tod ;-)

  • General Contractor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2010 · 6 posts · 0 votes
    15y

    hope to be there next time

  • Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2010 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    15y

    There hasn't been a "this time" Moses so you haven't missed out.

  • Investor · Southlake, TX · Member since 2009 · 950 posts · 338 votes
    15y
    Originally posted by Bryan Hancock:
    Or you could post your picture Tod ;-)

    True...However, I've been told not to show it around too much. You see, my mom would have to tie a bone around my neck just to get our dog to play with me. :cry:

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