WASHINGTON, October 07, 2008 – (RealEstateRama) —
WHAT: 2008 REALTORS Conference & Expo
WHEN: November 7-10, 2008
WHERE: Orlando, Fla.
There is still time for members of the media to register in advance to attend the 2008 REALTORS® Conference & Expo, Nov. 7-10, in Orlando, Fla. To register, visit www.realtor.org/realtororg.nsf/pages/MeetingsExpoPress?OpenDocument.
The Press Registration Office and Public Affairs Staff Office at the Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse, Room 240C, will be open Wednesday, Nov. 5, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., through Monday, Nov. 10, 8 a.m.-noon.
Beginning just days after the upcoming presidential election, this year’s conference, “Destination Success – Full Speed Ahead,” is expected to draw 25,000 Realtors® and guests. The changing political and economic landscapes directly impact the real estate industry, and Realtors® will be joined by industry experts, lawmakers, federal agency officials and other guests for a program that addresses the varied issues facing today’s residential and commercial real estate markets.
A number of public policy and industry leaders will speak during the conference, including Federal Housing Finance Agency Director James B. Lockhardt III and Fannie Mae Chief Economist Doug Duncan.
Media briefings are scheduled during the conference to give reporters and editors an opportunity to meet with industry specialists and NAR leadership. NAR Public Affairs staff will be available to help media coordinate interviews with NAR leadership and conference speakers.
As part of the regular conference program, Lance Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor, will be a featured speaker on Saturday, Nov. 8. His message, “Choose to Be a Champion in Life,” will set the tone for the week, inspiring and motivating attendees to new heights.
World champion quarterback and real estate investor Joe Theismann will participate in the Entrepreneurial Excellence Series, which offers insights from leaders across many industries. Theismann will be joined in the series, which continues throughout the conference, by Frans Johansson, author of The Medici Effect; David Meerman Scott, marketing vice president at News Edge Corp.; Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind; and Alicia Irons Matheson and Austin Brock, both of the Disney Institute.
More than 600 exhibitors are expected to participate in the REALTORS® Expo, which showcases the latest real estate products and innovations across various fields, including technology, data communications and financial programs and services. Expo hours are Friday, Nov. 7, 4 p.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 8, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Monday, Nov. 10, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Preliminary media highlights (all meetings are in the Orange County Convention Center, unless otherwise noted):
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 (PRE-CONFERENCE)
Habitat for Humanity Build
1–2 p.m., 381 Mandrake Street, Orlando, Fla.
Presentation to recipient family, home tour and media interviews.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Federal Issues Update
7:30–8:30 a.m., Rosen Center, Junior Ballroom G
Government Affairs policy experts will discuss key federal policy issues affecting housing, environment, and release estate finance.
Economic Issues & Residential Real Estate Business Trends Forum
8:30–10:30 a.m., Chapin Theater, W320
Get updates on current market conditions, learn how the broker-agent relationship is shifting with the slowing market and growing regulation, and hear how rising fuel prices will impact the real estate industry.
Speaker: NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun
Equal Opportunity-Cultural Diversity Forum – School and Housing Choices: Is Steering Rooted in School Performance?
8:30–10 a.m., Room W230 B
A panel of experts will discuss whether unlawful steering occur because of schools, or if segregated neighborhoods are perpetuated by steering.
Land Use, Property Rights and Environment Forum – Global Climate Change: How Does it Affect Realtors®?
8:30–10 a.m., Room W414 CD
Learn what global climate change proposals are currently being debated in Washington, and how these proposals could impact the real estate industry.
MEDIA BRIEFING – NAR’s 2009 Presidential Agenda
9:30-10:15 a.m., West Concourse, Room 240D
Meet NAR’s 2009 president and hear his priorities for the coming year.
Speaker: 2009 NAR President Charles McMillan
Government-Sponsored Enterprise Update: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks
10:30 a.m.–noon, Room W414 CD
The Federal Housing Finance Agency Director will provide an update on the operations and condition of all the housing GSEs, and answer questions about how the conservatorship will affect Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s ability to support the mortgage markets.
Speaker: FHFA Director James B. Lockhart III
MEDIA BRIEFING – Economic Forecast and Pending Home Sales Index
11 a.m.–11:45 a.m., West Concourse, Room 240D
The November forecast and Pending Home Sales Index will be released at this briefing.
Speaker: NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun
Economic Commercial Business Trends Forum
12:30–2:30 p.m., Room W314
Explore the impact of changing economic conditions on the commercial real estate outlook for 2009, and get insights into major changes in the financial markets, uncertainties over government policies and deficits, changing interest rates, and new developments in U.S. export competitiveness.
Speakers: NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun and Fannie Mae Chief Economist Doug Duncan
Regulatory Issues Forum – The Regulatory Outlook in the New Presidential Administration
2:30–4 p.m., Room W414 CD
A look at the process of the presidential transition, possible appointees and policies related to housing and mortgage markets in the years ahead.
Speaker: Dr. Paul Light, New York University
Newsmaker Reception (advance RSVP required)
6–7 p.m., Rosen Center, Salon 2
NAR’s Public Affairs staff will host a reception for members of the media.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Commercial Day: Long-Term Outlook for Commercial Real Estate Investing
9-10:30 a.m., Room W230 A
Learn how global and national trends are likely to impact commercial real estate performance in 2009, and how financial risk and political risk may impact absorption rates and values of commercial properties in the U.S.
Speaker: Mark Dotzour, Texas A&M University Real Estate Center
MEDIA BRIEFING – 2008 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers
9:30–10:15 a.m., West Concourse, Room 240D
Gain insights into demographic trends, motivations, and behavior patterns among recent home buyers and sellers.
Speaker: NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, CONTINUED
Resort and Second Home Forum – All-Star Panel
11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Valencia Room, W415 BC
Learn about selling high-level properties in today’s challenging market.
Legislative and Political Forum – Election Results and the 111th Congress
1:30–3 p.m., Chapin Theater, W320
A look back at the 2008 election and its impact on the 111th Congress.
Speakers: Joe Scarborough, MSNBC, and Mike Barnicle, New York Daily News
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9
America and the Foreign Buyer
9–10 a.m., Room W314
Learn about the impact of globalization on real estate and why the U.S. market is attractive to foreign buyers.
Speaker: NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Board of Directors Meeting
8:30–11:30 a.m., Peabody Orlando, Plaza International Ballroom
For more information about the 2008 REALTORS Conference and Expo, visit www.realtor.org/convention.nsf/.
