What's BPCON Like?

Question

Frank Straughter · Answer

Yes, I attend those as well. However, those tend to take place only once a month for a couple of hours not an entire weekend. So the rest of the month I am talking to non-investors who have no interested in the subject.

Sarah Hatton · Answer

Hey Frank,

This will be my second year going to BPCON, I'll try not to repeat the major points that have already been mentioned outside of stressing the value of networking at BPCON. As a lender I don't get too much from the panels (outside of some being fairly entertaining). For me, the value comes in the form of connections made. For example, I always touch base with the sponsored lenders and get feedback on what their current lending parameters are, any challenges or opportunities they are facing, and of course if they lend on assets or areas that I can't finance. Then there are investors like yourself that are great to get to know and understand what strategies you're pursuing and if they've been successful. Not only might there be some opportunity to work together, but it helps me get a pulse on the market from 'boots on the ground'. What I think differentiates this conference is the energy and attitude attendees bring. Everyone shows up as an open book and is passionate about real estate. Obviously you have to put the work in but there is value in surrounding yourself with like minded individuals. Chances are you'll end up leaving having made some great connections and feeling motivated to keep pursuing real estate investing.

Jessie Dillon · Answer

Is there a lot of new learning opportunities? (not repeat of information bootcamps, books, and videos\podcasts) -- I think just about everything that's in the workshops/presentations can be learned in the BP bookstore, but for someone who doesn't like to read and/or wants to have questions answered in real time by the pros, it's an alternative way to learn the info that's well-worth the cost of the ticket. I went last year and felt the workshops contained the same info that the speakers' books contained, so I kinda wished I hadn't paid for them since I already read the books, but I wasn't like upset about it lol.

How is it for networking? I wish I knew going into my first one that so much of the value of the ticket is in the networking. I realized a lot of seasoned investors weren't even going to the presentations & were putting all their time into networking outside the actual schedule. I can see how someone who goes into it with that intention, can make out really really well. I just wasn't prepared for it socially, but I will be this time!

Is there still value if the additional sessions are NOT purchased? Oh for sure. It's all in the networking and being around people who inspire you and are taking action. When you pay to go to something like this, even if just the basic ticket and flight/stay, it makes you take action to make the investment worth it.

Has anyone made connections with other investors there that are still (actively) maintained? - Yeah! Mostly just like supporting each other on social media, but I've met people through small one-off networking groups that really inspired me so I keep up with them online and draw inspo from what they're doing.

Has anyone done any deals while attending? - I met a few potential partners. Something that was really impactful was, I think in the womens panel, they had everyone raise their hand who was looking for private money, then everyone with private money raise your hand, then they had us talk to each other lol. Simple but forced the connections we were looking for. I didn't end up doing deals with those people that I met, but the conversations gave me confidence to go talk to other cash providers that I did end up working with.

Malcomb Stapel · Answer

@Frank Straughter  surely there is a local REIA near you? I'm not saying don't go to BP Con. If you have the cash and time by all means. But definitely go to your local events if you have them. My nearest is a half hour away, next is one hour and I make it to both each month.

Malcomb Stapel · Answer

Here's my experience from 2 years ago at the New Orleans event. It was fun, mostly the exploring of a new city after conference hours. I did not make any valuable connections; just about everyone I talked to was in the same position I was in at the time (brand new, 1-2 units). The only guest speaker who really blew my mind was @Dave Van Horn , and I ended up buying his book. Everyone else, you could get their information from a free podcast or the book they had already written on the subject.

I do not regret the money we spent on it, it was a great experience. That said, I was unwilling to pay the cost to go down to Orlando this year and hang out with 2200 other people trying to do the same thing I'm doing. Admittedly I don't like crowds, and networking at large event's can feel almost forced at times. Not my first or last big networking event either. But for learning and networking, I've personally had much better success at smaller local events. Your mileage may vary!

M