The BIG e, HAR’s yearly conference specifically created for you, our members, is celebrating a six-year run this year! Hard to believe HAR’s totally recreated conference made its debut in the fall of 2011.

Before that, for those of you that have been in the business long enough to remember, we had an event called REALTOR® Expo, and before that eRally to celebrate the ecommerce craze of the early 2000’s and prior to that there was REALTOR® Rally! Back in the early 90’s Rally was a huge trade show expo at the George R. Brown Convention Center with hundreds of booths giving away koozies and key chains with classes being held simultaneously on the tradeshow floor.

Fast forward 25 years to The BIG e, where a limited group made up of seasoned pros, as well as new agents that want to learn and excel in their careers, typically attend.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of the past years, VIP level and sold-out seated luncheon with speaker program, this year at The BIG e “Everyone is a VIP.” For $99, you will hear presenters in the Red Oak Ballroom along with our featured VIP luncheon speaker, Alex Brennan- Martin. Brennan-Martin is part of the renowned Brennan’s of New Orleans and Houston restaurant family and knows what it means to deliver an exceptional experience, which is what every client really wants.

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There is lots of fun to be had at The BIG e, such as relaxing chair massages in the lounge, but the feel of the conference has changed from the REALTOR® Expo days to a more exclusive environment. Our goal is to provide quality programming, speakers, topics and ideas you would not normally be exposed to unless you traveled to a national real estate conference. The quality sponsors of this great event are vetted for the benefits they provide you the REALTOR® and your clients.

For a fraction of what the airfare alone for a trip out of town would cost you, your local professional association, with the insight provided by the volunteer 2016 BIG e advisory group led by Chair Roxane Witte of John Daugherty REALTORS®, provides impactful and though-provoking programs at The BIG e.

Jeff Turner of Real Satisfied will be our master of ceremonies and open up the day with a presentation on the value of ratings and why they really matter. Bob Hale, HAR President & CEO, will enlighten us on how to stay competitive in a disrupted industry. Bubba Mills, popular real estate coach of Corcoran Consulting & Coaching, will present on branding, marketing and prospecting. There will also be 20-minute presentations in the standing room only Live Oak Room where fast- paced presenters will share great ideas you can use instantly to boost your competitive advantage. In the Magnolia Room, we will focus on social media and technology tools you need to use or at least know about in today’s fast moving world of real estate. It’s all part of an action-packed day where “Everyone is a VIP.” Online registration will open in mid-July at thebige.har.com.