Panels, Parties, and Purpose

The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg recap their time at Inman San Diego — the first Inman keynote without Brad Inman on stage, new CEO Tom Bohn's mixed reception, and Greg's fan encounter with his own book. From there they dig into a bigger debate: what's the actual purpose of real estate conferences, whether panels count as "education," and how MLS Reset and other events are trying to carve out a clearer mission. Key Takeaways Greg's second edition of "The Art of the CMA" is out; he's doing speaking engagements and bulk book buys tied to gigs This was the first Inman keynote Brad Inman didn't give himself, following the company sale New CEO Tom Bond's keynote got mixed reviews from attendees Inman has shifted toward more agent/broker-centric content and away from organized real estate coverage Complaint of the episode: Inman San Diego had no real central lobby bar Rob argues most real estate conferences (outside NAR events) lack a clear purpose or mission NAR Midyear and Annual are "working conferences" with real votes and lobbying, unlike most others Brand conferences (like Keller Williams' family reunion) succeed because their purpose is obvious T3 Summit, Gathering of Eagles, and RISMedia events each target a specific tier of attendee for marketing/networking purposes MLS Reset traces its roots back to the Clarity Conference and the MLS executive workshop model Rob and Greg disagree on whether panel discussions are ever educational Greg pushes back, arguing conferences can also be valuable as a source of inspiration and storytelling Rob's pitch for an ideal conference: two content sessions total, everything else built around networking and an open bar   Connect with Rob and Greg Rob's Website  Greg's Website    Watch us on YouTube   Our Sponsors: Cotality  Notorious VIP The Giant Steps Job Board    Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios