Life happens at the level of events, not of words. ~Alfred Adler
Brad Inman’s semi-annual Blogger and Real Estate Connect conferences are taking place this week in San Francisco, July 23-25, 2008. I am moderating the panel Blogging Pitfalls: How NOT to Get Sued on Wednesday at 11:30. But even if I wasn’t invited to yap there, I wouldn’t miss these conferences. Here are some good reasons to attend, if you can.
Go For Health Reasons
If you go, you will be treated to those rare gifts of human contact— smiles, handshakes, maybe some hugs and kisses. You just can’t twit a kiss and a 
just doesn’t compare to the real thing. Read a man’s words to know him ? Not enough for me…. I’d rather read his face.
Besides, people need to be touched at least 70 times a day (some folks a little more). Science says it’s good for your health. Studies show human touch lowers your blood pressure and heart rate and reduces stress…and it feels good too (so honey, if I go for that massage, you’ll know why). Besides, the French spend 3 times as much time touching as Americans and I can’t let that stand. Neither should you.
Go For The Deeper Social Networking
Another reason to attend is to strengthen relationships built online. I have always believed that while online social relationships can be wide, they are not as deep as offline, cheek-to-cheek face-to-face relationships. I felt a closer bond when I interacted with folks during last year’s beatic Blog Tour USA. Those bonds still hold. When we reconnect, they will be forged a little stronger. And is this not what life ought to be about?
Go For The Classrooms……
The Connects offer many ways to get useful information, tips and insights to help improve your business. Attend one or more of the sessions in the conference program. Brad has a knack of gathering a diverse group of speakers, any one of whom could provide you the inspiration you need. And the classrooms are everywhere— in the hallways, at the many social events, even in the bars– I learned about making money from land trusts over a martini (or was it three?). Daniel Rothamel offers some great tips for getting the most out of your time — well worth the jump.
…. and The Class
One dog barks at something and a hundred bark at his sound. ~ Chinese proverb
One of the (many) things I like and respect about Brad Inman is his ability to bring diverse folks together without power tripping or bad mouthing the other conference jockeys. There is none of the sophmoronic name calling and wrestlebloggermania taunting. Besides, Brad is not on a mad mission to boost his pedigree. He doesn’t need to. He’s a proven successful entrepreneur but he doesn’t laud it. He’s there to learn as much as everyone else. Simply put, the man has class. Reason enough for me.
I look forward to seeing all your smiling faces and hope to get a healthy dose of hugs. Anyone wanting to connect, just call me at 646-714-2720.
