Only a week ago Bevin and I were in sunny Orlando, FL with some of the great women in this industry! We had a phenomenal time and are sad that we won't be attending another one until September, when we will be at the Expo in Indianpolis (that's right Gary & Linda, this time we are coming to see you!)...
I know you've heard from many of the attendees so I wanted to give my perspective as both an attendee, a vendor and a speaker....
(I think you'll recognize some AR faces here)
Cort was a pleasure to work with at this venue. The staff was amazingly friendly and helpful (not to mention quite funny). They gave us more than enough room to spread out and conduct fantastic educational sessions.
From a vendor stand point: If you have a service or product that you wish to introduce or promote to the staging industry, this was a great venue. The attendees were very interested in value producing activities and products.
From an attendee stand point: There was so much to learn from the amazing speakers... Terrylynn Fisher, Kym Hough, Christine Rae, Shell Brodnax and several other very competant and motivational women. If you didn't take away something amazing to enhance your business, you weren't listening! I've been doing this business for a few years now and run a very successful business, but there is so much to learn from others who also run successful businesses. Even if you are successful, you should still attend, there is still much to learn from this group!
From a speaker standpoint: The audiences were amazing! Stagers sat quickly gotting notes upon notes intently listening, participating and asking great questions. As a speaker, knowing that your audience is engaged and actually absorbing what you have to say feels great. I have received many emails from attendees thanking me for my time and information and I feel confident that the time I put into this event will help grow these women's businesses, which is afterall why I took the time for this event in the first place. So, for all of you who were in my audience, THANK YOU! I received as much from you at this event as you received from me.
Echoing all the blogs I have seen throughtout the last week.... if there is a StagersList Expo near you, GO - SIGN UP NOW! You absolutely will feel that the money and time was well spent. The investment is minimal and the rewards are great.....
There is one last little thing that I didn't mention.... FRIENDSHIP. Many of these women (and some men who were in attendance) now feel like good friends. For those of you who love the rain and feel that the other bloggers are just friends you haven't met yet - why not meet them? It will surprise you what a bond you already have with everyone!
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First Impressions Home Staging & Interior ReDesign is a nationally award winning company owned and operated in Summerville, SC a suburb of Charleston, SC. We provide high quality staging for both occupied and vacant homes in the greater surrounding areas and beyond! For more information please visit, www.WeStageSC.com. If you are interested in learning about making Home Staging your profession, please visit, www.StagingAndRedesign.com for more information.
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Melissa Marro, a published artist, now turned staging advocate and national speaker speaks her mind about real estate and the home staging industry. In her 'no holds barred' approach, audience members find real answers to the industries pitfalls and learn how to overcome them with tried and true information and guidance. With marketing as her passion, she turned a small home based business into one of the nation's largest home staging and training facilities. Selling her successful home staging company in January 2012, Marro is now a full time speaker and instructor for Staging And Resign and Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)'s trade events.
For more information on having Marro speak at one of your real estate functions, please contact her at 843.619.1593 or email at marro.melissa@gmail.com
Looks like fun!
How come no one invited me? (wink wink)
Something magical seems to happen at these events. I am glad you had a chance to expirience it.
Me
It's sounds very informative and fun!! I wish it was coming to OHIO!! Although, Indianapolis wouldn't be too far away.
Well howdy Craig! I think you have a standing invitation.... will I get to finally meet you in Indianapolis? Will you consider making a guest appearance?
Kim - I would definately make the drive and hotel accomodations... you won't regret it!
Hey Melissa: Aren't events for your industry so much fun?! We just had RETechSouth for real estate agents and I loved listening to the speakers, learning and meeting new people. Sounds like you had a great time networking and enjoying the event!
Have a great day,
Anne Rains
It really sounds like it was a great event Melissa. I sure wish you'd reconsider and come to the Toronto StagersList Expo :-)
Melissa, ohhhh it was wonderful wasn't it...sigh. We had a wonderful two days learning and growing with the group of stagers there. It was a good experience and notes taken by all. Too bad we couldn't get the other 5 or so AR's in the photo...maybe next time. It was good having you there. Looking forward to next time.
You did a great job, Melissa, the attendees were so excited about the information you shared. We had a lot of fun, and are looking forward to spending more time with you in Indianapolis.
Sounds awesome! I'm looking for one in my town.
I'm so glad to hear that the blessings went in both directions, Melissa, because you certainly blessed me with your teaching and encouragement. You were brilliant! The cameraderie among all the attendees, speakers and vendors was really special. Thanks for being a part of it.