A place where legends are said to live, Amelia Island provides an enchanting and charming ambiance to all who visit this world-renowned destination. This February immerse yourself in this island’s vibrant history of pirates and treasure at the 2009 Georgia Association of REALTORS®’ Inaugural Meeting.
At this year’s meeting, GAR offers you the chance to bridge fun and education together as hundreds of REALTORS® gather at the remarkable Amelia Island Plantation resort.
Don’t miss your opportunity to add your page to Amelia Island’s history book as you begin your journey with GAR across the “Bridge to the Future.”
Meeting Events and Activities
Opening Session
Robin Crow
“The Power of Service”
Thursday, February 12
9:30 am - 11:00 am
Robin’s expertise on leadership and customer service comes from 30 years in the trenches as an entrepreneur and business owner. For the past 13 years, he has led his company, Dark Horse Recording, through dramatic technological and operational changes to achieve sustained success. By constantly reinventing the company, continually improving the Dark Horse brand, and relentlessly focusing on customer service, Robin has led Dark Horse Recording to become one of the most successful studio complexes in the world; home to Neil Diamond, Wynonna Judd, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Michael W. Smith and countless others.
Leadership Development Conference
Thursday, February 12 - Friday, February 13
Optional Ticketed Event
This year’s Leadership Development Conference (LDC) has been incorporated into the Inaugural Meeting. These sessions are designed for local board Presidents, President-elects, Association Executives and other relevant leadership. Local board representatives must attend at least two of the three sessions in order to receive credit for the 2009 Distinguished Service Award. This is an additional ticketed event and space is limited, so make your plans now to attend.
Thursday Night Fever
Thursday, February 12
8:00 pm - 12:00 am
Break out the bell bottoms and get ready to Disco the night away at the Thursday Night Fever party! Channel your inner John Travolta and brush up on the Hustle moves for this blast from the past theme party. The Night Life Band will be playing all your favorite Disco melodies so you can groove all night long. (Cash bar)
The President’s Inaugural Gala
Friday, February 13
7:00 pm - 12:00 am
Optional Ticketed Event
Plan now to attend the President’s Inaugural Gala where the 2009 GAR Line Officers, Nar Directors and Regional Directors for 2009 will be installed. The Night Life Band will entertain you again as this time they perform the greatest hits from the past five decades! (Black tie optional and cash bar)
First Time Attendee Orientation
Wednesday, February 11
5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Is this your first experience at a GAR Convention or Meeting? You won’t want to miss this informative session that will give you speedy and concise guidance on how to make the most of your time this week.
Grand Opening Cocktail Party
Wednesday, February 11
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Shaken or stirred? The perfect way to start the 2009 Inaugural Meeting is at the Grand Opening Cocktail Party! Enjoy an evening of food, fun and cocktails with all your REALTOR® friends. (Cash bar)
Awards Celebration Luncheon
Thursday, February 12
12:45 pm - 2:00 pm
Optional Ticketed Event
And the winner is.... Join your colleagues from around the state as GAR recognizes the individuals and boards who made significant contributions to GAR in 2008.
Three-Hour Courses
Cashing in on Customs & Cultures - Session A
Instructor: Tony Macaluso
Wednesday, February 11, 9:00 am - 12:15 pm
Noticed a difference in your customer base lately? From Feng Shui to Faux Pas to FIRPTA – how to do it and who to do it with. Are you prepared to meet and greet the way THEY find acceptable? Common U.S. business practices may be inappropriate for other cultures. Students will learn where to do business, when NOT to do business and how to use appropriate gestures. Local practitioners can sell like the international pros. This is education you can put into practice the moment you leave this session.
The Booming Business of Boomers - Session H
Instructor: Tony Macaluso
Thursday, February 12, 2:45 pm - 6:00 pm
Recent surveys indicate as many as six out of 10 Baby Boomers are considering buying a second home within the next 10 years. Statistics indicate this market to be more than 78,000,000 buyers. Will you get your share of this dynamic market? Do you know where the next “boom” will take place? When will they buy? What makes them buy? How to connect and stay connected? This session will cover migration patterns and statistical data.
Time-savers Using the Treo Smart Phone - Session L
Instructor: Doug Devitre
Friday, February 13, 9:00 am - 12:15 pm
Save money and time by implementing seamless systems for running your day-to-day operations from the palm of your hand. Work smarter, not harder! Identify quick shortcuts, improve time management, and boost your productivity using the Treo Smart Phone.
Blogging Effectively - Session N
Instructor: Doug Devitre
Friday, February 13, 1:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Build your online brand by blogging effectively to build consumer loyalty and minimize risk. Designed for both the beginner and the internet savvy, this power packed session is full of content, interactive exercises, and questions to market your business and amplify your communication with the world.
Optimizing Today’s Market - Session O
Instructor: John Mangham
Friday, February 13, 1:00 pm – 4:15 pm
Real estate, whether a personal residence, an income-producing or commercial property, is an investment for most people. This course is designed to help students find ways to create business using strategies useful for all stages of clients investment planning.
Education Mini Sessions
Today's Legal Issues - Session B
NAR's Legal Counsel Laurie Janik
Wednesday, February 11, 10:00 am - 11:15 am
There's never a dull moment when Laurie Janik takes to the microphone to let you know what is happening with real estate agents, brokerages, and boards of REALTORS® around the country.
Short Sales – Not Always the Best Answer - Session C
Instructor: Tony Macaluso
Wednesday, February 11, 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Learn why Short Sales may not be the best answer for some sellers!
In this informative seminar you will explore:
-
What you must do to avoid real estate commission violations when participating in Short Sales
-
What buyers need to understand in a Short Sale situations
-
Why commissions may be an issue
-
What’s an exculpatory clause and how banks get around it in a Short Sale
FHA Update: Times They Are a Changing! - Session E
Instructor: Tony Macaluso
Thursday, February 12, 8:00 am - 9:15 am
People are moving out, people are moving in and it is time for the REALTOR® to learn the new basic concepts of FHA. New loan limits, new rules, new concepts, and how you can make it work to get the buyer into the property. You need to know the concepts to keep your business on track in dealing with the right loan that fits your buyer’s needs. The end result is more business for you. Learn about the loan program that could have avoided the sub-prime mess and helped a lot of families.
Big Ideas for Small Business Growth - Session G
Instructor: Robin Crow
Thursday, February 12, 11:15 am - 12:30 pm
This class is for any business owner who wants to grow his or her company effectively and profitably. You’ll learn how to take control of your business future, how to stay focused on growth in an environment of chaos, and how to make quantum leaps through creative delegation
Additional one-hour sessions are being added to the schedule. Visit www.garealtor.com to see more opportunities for professional development at the Inaugural Meeting as they are added.
Agency/Representation Issues
Instructors: Lynn Madison and Brandon Nichols
For Brokers/Managers: Financial Statements and Reports
Instructor: Ann Smith
What You Don’t Know About Fair Housing Can Hurt You
Instructor: Lynn Madison
For Brokers/Managers: No Limits to Your Liability
Instructor: Lynn Madison
Commercial Issues
Instructor: Brandon Nichols
Note: Attendees only need to attend three one-hour sessions to earn three hours continuing education credit.
Designation Course
GREEN The NAR Sustainable Property Designation
Tuesday, February 10 - Wednesday, February 11, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Pre-registration required
Members: Early - $295.00 ends Jan. 12, 208; Regular - $325.00 Onsite - $345.00
Non-members: Regular $345.00 Onsite - $375.00
The designation course offered Tuesday and Wednesday is the newest designation to be offered by NAR is a green program. Designation students will take a two-day core course at the Inaugural Meeting, followed by a choice of one-day electives to be taken later: one geared toward residential real estate, one toward commercial. The 2-day core course will cover:
- Defining "green"
- Green communities
- Green homes and buildings
- Green buyers and sellers
- How to green your real estate practice
Amelia Island Plantation Information
Sit back, relax and enjoy the view! For 29 consecutive years, the Amelia Island Plantation has been named a AAA Four Diamond destination. Just steps away from the ocean, you can enjoy your time out of class on the beach or playing a round of golf on the award-winning course.
Make your resort accommodations today before space runs out! Contact the Amelia Island Plantation directly at 888.261.6165 or 904.261.6161 to reserve your room. The room rates listed below do not include taxes, service charges, fees or other incidentals. Standard room rates at the Amelia Inn (next to the Conference Center) are $199.00. All Amelia Inn rooms are ocean view rooms. GAR has also arranged for a limited number of resort view rooms available for $135.00. Resort view rooms are driving distance to the Amelia Inn/Conference Center and are located by the Veranda Restaurant (near the Tennis Complex).
Deadline for booking your resort room is Saturday, January 10, 2009. Rooms are available on a first-come, first served basis and the hotel does not guarantee room rates once the group block has been met. After January 10, 2009, the resort will not be able to guarantee availability or the GAR group rate. Please indicate you are with the Georgia Association of REALTORS® or reference GAR’s Group Reservation number 8AH322 to receive the special group rate.
Other Information
Registrations will not be accepted by telephone.
DEADLINES:
Payment must be post-marked by the following dates in order to take advantage of the special registration fees:
Early Bird Registration Fee $149 - by December 1, 2008
Regular Registration Fee $189 - by January 16, 2009
On-Site Registration Fee $229 - after January 16, 2009
What does a registration fee include?
A full registration includes all education sessions (excluding the Designation Courses), committee meetings, the Grand Opening Cocktail Party, Thursday morning coffee break, Thursday Night Fever and Late Night Breakfast, BINGO Tournament and the Continental Breakfast on Saturday.
What does a registration fee NOT include?
A registration fee does not include the Awards Luncheon ticket, LDC, President’s Inaugural Gala ticket or Designation Courses. All of these events are separate events outside of the full registration fee.
NON-INDUSTRY GUEST REGISTRATIONS:
A REALTOR® member may register his or her spouse or special guest if the spouse/guest is not affiliated with any aspect of the real estate industry. If the spouse/guest is affiliated with the real estate industry in any way (i.e. a real estate agent, provides any type of service to GAR members, member of a local board, etc.), he or she must register separately either as a member or as a non-member.
CANCELLATION POLICIES
Written cancellations prior to January 16, 2009, will reflect a $40.00 service charge. Due to contract obligations, no refunds will be given after January 16, 2009. There are no refunds for the Designation Course. All meeting cancellations and requests for refunds must be made in writing and mailed or faxed to the GAR office. Cancellations will not be taken over the phone.
TRANSFER POLICY
GAR does have a transfer/assignment policy that allows a member who needs to cancel the opportunity to transfer his or her registration to another person. A form can be obtained at www.garealtor.com under the Meetings and Conventions section. A transfer cannot be completed without this form and a non-refundable service charge of $25.00. Only the individual transferee is authorized to pick up the registration packet.
TICKET SALES
Tickets for special events are sold on a first-come, first served basis. ALL SALES FINAL AFTER JANUARY 16, 2009.
SPECIAL HOTEL INFORMATION
Room rates do not include taxes. A nine percent tax will be added per night. There is also a $12.00 per person, per night resort fee.
Overnight Parking: Valet parking is available at the Amelia Inn at $15.00 per vehicle, per night. Complimentary self-parking is also available to Resort guests.
NOT STAYING ON-PROPERTY/RESORT VISITORS
The resort is a private, gated property and all amenities and facilities are for the use of registered resort guests and members. The resort facilities within the gated property do not accept cash or credit cards and charges must be posted to the guest’s charge account. Any group attendee who is not a registered guest or member may obtain access and charging privileges to the resort by prearranging a guest charge card and paying an amenity usage fee, currently $75.00 per person, per day. Requests for a guest charge card cannot be accommodated on the day of arrival. Guest charge card forms are available upon request by contacting the hotel directly at 800.874.6878. Access to the resort by visitors without a guest charge card will be denied.
Updated 9/22/08: the hotel has explained further that this policy is for non-guests that want to use the resort’s amenities (i.e. – restaurants, shops, recreation, etc). Should an attendee be staying off property and is coming only to the meetings and events being held by GAR, they may come on to the property without a charge.
ATTIRE
Attire for the Convention will be business casual for all meetings.
NEED ADDITIONAL TICKETS ADDED TO YOUR REGISTRATION?
Should you have already registered to attend the Inaugural Meeting and need to purchase additional tickets, please send a request via fax to Rebecca DeShazo at 770-458-6992. You will need to include the number of tickets that you need along with a credit card, expiration date and also the VIN number. GAR will also need the name on the card as well as who is requesting the tickets.