How better to gain insight, knowledge and understanding about what technology trends are affecting the Real Estate Industry than to meet with peers that are all submerged in the same situation as you?  Well, the non-Real Estate Technology world has been been hosting such events since 2005, affectionately known as 'BarCamps'.

Although,  if they were really camping trips, that would make for some really engaging times, they are however, more organized as unconferences; (a facilitated, participant-driven conference centered around a theme or purpose).

REBarCamp is an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos, and interaction from attendees.  Obviously they are filling a need, as the momentum is definitely building, with at least 9 more REBarCamps scheduled throughout the rest of 2009. 

Explaining what goes on at the REBarCamps is a little difficult, because everything and anything can happen.  It is really just a meeting of the minds where current topics and trends are discussed.  Where the first time participant or the knowledge-hungry attendee will walk away with their head in a daze of all the information they’ve gathered and the contacts they've made.

CRT and the National Association of REALTORS have been an active participant in these events since the first one in San Francisco in August 2008.  Going forward, The National Assoication of REALTORS has also teamed up with REBarCamp to start planning one tentatively scheduled the day prior to NAR Annual in San Diego.  I almost also forgot about the upcoming Chicago event on June 15th!!

Along with the upcoming August 4th REBarCamp during the next Inman Conference, a similar geek driven event is taking place. Inman ConnectTech will give CTO’s, developers, entrepreneurs and product managers an opportunity to explore innovation in a program tailored to geeks, not marketers.  The Center for REALTOR Technology is excited to be a sponsor and participant of this event, and would love to take that opportunity to learn more about your technology needs and roadblocks.

Chris McKeever
cmckeever@realtors.org