Networking on a National Level

In a previous post about networking, BRES discussed the importance of joining and taking leadership in a club or networking organization. I wanted to build on this share and some insight from recent experiences that have expanded my professional circle and taken my company's presence to a national level.

From Local Chapter To National Conference
As the past president for the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) chapter of Kansas City, I have been given the opportunity to represent the Kansas City chapter at the national IREM Fall Leadership Conference in October. It will be very exciting to represent the local efforts of my chapter at this conference, and the value extends beyond that...

One to One Face Time
Because of my leadership for our local chapter, I will be getting valuable face time with other IREM members and business prospects. In addition to my local leadership duties I also work on the National  Student and Academic Advisory Board and am also attending meetings for National committees that I'm on next year. In these sessions, I will get to work alongside these members and build relationships in an environment that provides one to one connection.

According to this article from Marketing Profs, this face to face time is a defining aspect in the success of your conference experience: "Customers and prospects are more comfortable with people they have met and more confident in products and solutions they can see and touch. The result is more confidence in decisions, especially when they feel they have considered the landscape and available options, an important accomplishment that tradeshows and conferences are well-suited to provide."

Reconnecting In The Future
Another important thing to keep in mind is how you will sustain these connections for the future. I am  continuing to leverage my leadership role in my local chapter to meet others on a national level. Because I am on two IREM national committees next year, I will be attending meetings at the IREM conference in October to prepare me for those upcoming roles. I would suggest that if you attend a conference, be thinking about the connections you are making in meetings like these and how you will reconnect in the future to foster relationships. I recommend that you continue to branch out in your local chapters and sign up for committees where your strengths are needed, even if there is some extra work required. I am very pleased with the results this has brought me so far from my participation with IREM and I'm looking forward to expanding this reach even more at the National Level.

Contributing Author:

Anne Lemon
Associate Director of Property Management
Block Real Estate Services
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