Luxury Real Estate

By Yvonne Harvey

I was surprised to see a copy of US Airways Magazine on my desk this week with a sticky note on it saying “Info for Conference.” I was perplexed on what that would have to do with our conference in Philadelphia. Then I saw it. In the top right-hand corner in small letters are the words “Philly’s Best-Kept Secrets.” Well, hello!

I thought I would list them out for you, and maybe you can guess which one really jumped out at me.

1) Center City – It’s dynamic and diverse, but also compact and walkable – offering something for everyone.

2) America’s Most Historic Square Mile – The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, The National Constitution Center.

3) A Lively Arts Scene – Music, dance, theater – whatever calls to you, Philadelphia has it.

4) Tax-Free Shopping for Apparel and Shoes – Enough said.

5) Entertainment & Nightlife – With dozens of trendy nightclubs and other up-to-the-minute hot spots, you’ll be able to party ‘til the wee hours.

6) Great Eats – From cheese steaks to five-star dining, Philadelphia has culinary offerings to satisfy every palette.

7) Room to Roam – Even though Philadelphia is a big city, it also has some great outdoors. Run wild in one of America’s largest urban parks.

8) Easy Access – Philadelphia is a quick Amtrak train ride from Washington, D.C. and New York. The airport offers 1,600 daily departures and arrivals to 122 domestic and international destinations.

9) Rooms for Everyone – We have lots of hotel rooms, meeting spaces, and the Convention Center all in the heart of Center City.

10) Historic Service – The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau sales and service team is one of the most critically acclaimed in the industry.

So, did you guess which one jumped out at me? Wait for it …. TAX-FREE SHOPPING! Can we say Neiman Marcus, Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors and Juicy Couture!

As it says above… enough said.

See you in Philly!


Editor’s Note:
Yvonne Harvey is the Events Coordinator for LuxuryRealEstate.com. So when you come and enjoy the wonderful presentations, discussions and networking opportunities at Luxury Real Estate conferences, you know who to thank. It looks like there are now 13 great reasons to attend the Fall Conference in Philadelphia – besides, of course, the networking opportunities, knowledge waiting to be shared, etc. The photo above is from www.flickr.com/photos/vic15/15082596 and it is the copyright of vic15.

By John Brian Losh

I am currently watching John Adams on DVD, it is a seven-part biopic miniseries about John Adams and the story of the first fifty years of the United States. The miniseries is based on the book “John Adams” by American historian David McCullough. It is one of best history films I have ever seen, and has received lots of critical acclaim.

It has given me a whole new appreciation for our founding fathers, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States of America. Many of the scenes from this miniseries were filmed in historical sites throughout Philadelphia, like Constitution Hall. Join us this fall in Philadelphia for our conference in October, and see for yourself! It’s a real-life history lesson!


Editor’s Note:
John Brian Losh is the CEO/Publisher of LuxuryRealEstate.com and the President, CEO and Broker of Ewing & Clark, Inc. in Seattle. He tirelessly trots the globe meeting with members of LuxuryRealEstate.com and getting the scoop on industry trends. The Founding Fathers are some of the best people who ever lived. They are some of my biggest heroes, especially George Washington. There’s a great movie about the creation of the Constitution called “A More Perfect Union,” which I highly recommend.

By Yvonne Harvey

You are in for some wonderful treats at the 13th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference. We are honored to have Niurka speak at the conference. You know those times when you just feel something is right…? That is how I feel about Niurka speaking to all our members. I know she will empower and entertain all of our conference attendees, and I hope that you will be one of them. Be prepared to be inspired!

An important part of the Fall Conference is the presentation of top industry awards. We are honored to be presenting Lois Schneider, founder and President of Lois Schneider Realtor the Lifetime Achievement Award. We are also introducing several new awards this year to those deserving members on Monday, October 13, 2008.



Making its mark in a spectacular historic building in Center City, The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia will host this year’s conference. Walk in the footsteps of America’s forefathers and become a part of history. Stay in one of America’ most venerable cities and absorb the character of American landmarks such as Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

To sign up for the 13th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference, click here.


Editor’s Note:
Yvonne Harvey is the Events Coordinator for LuxuryRealEstate.com. So when you come and enjoy the wonderful presentations, discussions and networking opportunities at Luxury Real Estate conferences, you know who to thank. This will be an event to remember! It’s not too late to sign up for the Fall Conference, so if you’re a Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate member, contact Yvonne Harvey today to reserve your space.

By Yvonne Harvey

LuxuryRealEstate.com is pleased to announce a key contributor and speaker at the 13th Annual Fall Conference on October 11-14, 2008 in Philadelphia – Niurka. Her name might not sound familiar, but her clients certainly are: Mercedes-Benz, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Keller Williams, World Financial Group and many others. She has also received the prestigious Wall Street Journal Award for her excellence in Business and Finance.

Since 1994, Niurka has devoted herself to mastering effective communication and influence for the purpose of producing immediate and lasting results. She is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, consultant and peak-performance coach. As an entrepreneur, Niurka founded Niurka, Inc. in 1999 to serve the growing demand for customized training, consulting and results coaching solutions.

When Niurka speaks, her audiences are inspired, empowered and entertained. Her style combines step-by-step tactical teachings with humor and vivid storytelling. Her energy and warmth will intimately engage each conference attendee. Participants will not merely observe and listen; they will enthusiastically participate and be driven to action. To view a YouTube video from Mercedes-Benz describing their positive results from working with Niurka, click here. For more information on Niurka, visit her Web site: www.niurkainc.com.

We invite you to join us at the Fall Conference to enjoy Niurka’s contributions, as well as many other breakout groups and top industry panels. Reserve your spot today for the conference.


Editor’s Note:
Yvonne Harvey is the Events Coordinator for LuxuryRealEstate.com. So when you come and enjoy the wonderful presentations, discussions and networking opportunities at Luxury Real Estate conferences, you know who to thank. Niurka sounds like an awesome person, and I’m looking forward to hearing her inspiring words at the Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference in Philadelphia this October. Yvonne has done a great job keeping us posted on this conference. We hope to see you there!

By Brian Langhorst

Who would you like to network with at the upcoming 13th Annual Fall Luxury Real Estate Conference in Philadelphia this October?

Networking is one of the main facets that can distinguish top luxury real estate agents from their competition. Who would you like to have dinner with, have a conversation with, or simple meet at our event to help your business?

I look forward to your responses! Feel free to email me at BLanghorst at luxuryrealestate.com.


Editor’s Note:
Brian Langhorst is LuxuryRealEstate.com’s Membership Manager. He meets members’ unique needs through the dynamic services LuxuryRealEstate.com provides. It’s nice to see another blogger talking about this exciting conference. Events Coordinator Yvonne Harvey has been offering some insightful peeks into Philadelphia and other topics pertaining to the Fall Conference in her blog entries. Be sure to check those out, as well.

By Yvonne Harvey

Next week is the last week to take advantage of the early registration rate of $1,095 for this year’s Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference in Philadelphia, PA on October 11-14, 2008! July 18, 2008 is the last day we will offer this substantial discount. After July 18, registration will be $1,195. For members seeking group discounts of five or more attendees, please contact your Account Manager at 800.488.4066.

The Fall Conference will be held at The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia. Making its mark in a spectacular historic building, the hotel in Center City, PA offers easy access to fine dining, shopping, and the city’s business district. Walk in the footsteps of America’s forefathers and become a party of history. Stay in one of America’s most venerable cities and absorb the character of landmark buildings as you visit Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and Philadelphia’s other cultural treasures.

A Post-Conference Networking Trip to New York on October 14-16. Please inquire about availability. Only one member from each location may attend. Please express your interest today!

For more information on the 13^th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference, click here.

See you in Philadelphia!


Editor’s Note:
Yvonne Harvey is the Events Coordinator for LuxuryRealEstate.com. So when you come and enjoy the wonderful presentations, discussions and networking opportunities at Luxury Real Estate conferences, you know who to thank. We hope you’ll join us at this wonderful event we have planned.

By Yvonne Harvey

With the Fourth of July weekend just around the corner, I can’t help but talk about the Declaration of Independence. And, of course, it all happened in Philadelphia, where we are holding our 13^th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference!

I found some interesting factoids on the famous, or maybe infamous, painting by John Trumbull, simply titled “Declaration of Independence.” As you know, paintings back then were the cameras of today. And this painting today would more likely be in the tabloid section or propaganda fodder. There are so many historical flaws in this painting, that its historical relevance is almost moot.

You may remember, if you read or watched The Da Vinci Code, how you instantly went and looked closely at the painting. Well, this might just make you want to take a look at this one, too. Look under the desk at the legs of our standing forefathers. They seem to be disproportionate to their bodies, especially Thomas Jefferson’s leg.

The painting includes 48 portraits. Of those 48, 43 were signers and 5 who may have been there, but did not sign the Declaration of Independence. Please note there were 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. Hmmmm… several seem to be missing.

The painting itself was piecemealed together. It is said that John Trumbull carried his canvas with him to take advantage of any occasion which might arise; this would be comparable to our picture phone today. Many of the portraits were painted directly onto the canvas from life between 1789 and 1794, or sketches Trumbull had done in earlier years, i.e. John Adams in 1787 in Paris. If an historian wants to correct me here, please chime right in, but I need to ask this question. Wouldn’t that mean the attendees may appear as much as 18 years older from the date the Declaration of Independence was adopted? If my calculations are correct John Adams was 41 when he adopted the Declaration of Independence, and yet Trumbull sketched him at the age of 52. Just thinking out loud.

It is also historical fact that Trumbull was unable to meet all 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence; in nine of the cases the attendees had died before the opportunity arose. In some of these cases he painted from portraits hanging in the “Independence Chamber.” Since then, four of these portraits have been deemed fake. One, in particular, is the so-called portrait of William Whipple who died in 1785, and yet the signer of the painter is St. Memin, who was only born in 1770 and didn’t even come to America until 1793. Historians now agree the portrait is of a Joseph Wipple (note the spelling of his last name is even different Geesh!).

Painter Robert Edge Pine had an unfinished painting “Congress Voting Independence,” which historians agree was more historically accurate than Trumbull’s. And yet, we use Trumbull’s painting in many history books. Pine actually lived in the very building and painted in the “Independence Chamber” It appears that Trumbull embellished the room in his painting with colorful red, white and blue, and even had the wrong furniture. We know this because the actual desk and chair used by John Hancock is preserved in the Independence Hall. Again, Pine’s depiction is much more accurate.


Finally, I find this quite weird, even the Internet is unclear on the spelling of John Trumbull’s last name. Some spell Trumbull, and some spell Trumball. Oy!

Whew! I feel like I just did a whole book report for my teacher. I hope you enjoyed my little rant.

See you in Philly!


Editor’s Note:
Yvonne Harvey is the Events Coordinator for LuxuryRealEstate.com. So when you come and enjoy the wonderful presentations, discussions and networking opportunities at Luxury Real Estate conferences, you know who to thank. History is quite amazing, isn’t it? I love the Founding Fathers and I am always amazed by how much they sacrificed to fight tyranny and establish the first nation of liberty. George Washington is one of my biggest heroes and he is one of the best people who ever lived, in my humble view. The two pictures above are from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Declaration_of_Independence_(John_Trumbull).jpg and www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/images/vc53.jpg.

By Yvonne Harvey

Since we made the announcement that we are having this year’s 13th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference in Philadelphia, I have become almost obsessed with Philadelphia’s history. In past blogs, we have discussed Rocky Balboa’s historic run up the stairs of the Philadelphia Art Museum and the Liberty Bell typo.

Well of course I had to talk about a young woman named Betsy Ross. We all know that she was the seamstress of the very first United States flag, but do we really know Betsy Ross as a person? She gained historical relevance from just one snapshot of her life, and yet I felt she was much more than just a seamstress. She was an extremely strong woman, and the epitome of a woman living in the eighteen and nineteenth centuries.
 

Betsy was the eighth of seventeen children and was raised in a Quaker community. Her first marriage to John Ross in 1773 caused a split with her family and meant her expulsion from the Quaker congregation since she married outside of her sect. She was only married to John Ross less then 3 years when he was killed by a military explosion. She went on to marry twice more and both of them died relatively young. She had a total of seven children, two of which died very young.

Even in death, Betsy would not rest in peace. Betsy was buried on the Free Quaker burial ground on South 5th Street. Twenty years later, her remains were exhumed and reburied in the Mt. Moriah Cemetery in the Cobbs Creek Park section in Philadelphia. In preparation for the United States Bicentennial, the city ordered her remains moved to the courtyard of the Betsy Ross House in 1975; however, workers found no remains under her tombstone. Bones found elsewhere in the family plot were deemed to be hers and were re-interred in the current grave visited by tourists at the Betsy Ross House today.

It is rare to have people today to have a smidgen of the hardships women of the 1700s and 1800s had, and Betsy Ross endured them all. This blog is not to make you sad, but to make you feel thankful and blessed for your family’s and friends’ health and see the strength of women such as Betsy Ross. Can you imagine what people will say in 200 years about how we lived and how we persevered?


Editor’s Note:
As she mentioned, Yvonne Harvey is the Events Coordinator for LuxuryRealEstate.com. So when you come and enjoy the wonderful presentations, discussions and networking opportunities at Luxury Real Estate conferences, you know who to thank. You should definitely join us at the 13th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference on October 13-15, 2008. I enjoy studying history because it is through the sacrifices and experiences of past generations that current ones have been brought to pass. Plus, I try to learn from others’ experiences. Betsy Ross is a wonderful example of perseverance and nobility. Thank you for the great blog entry, Yvonne! The painting above is from www.ushistory.org/betsy/flaglife.html.

By Yvonne Harvey

As the Events Coordinator at LuxuryRealEstate.com, I feel it is very helpful to have a checklist before I go to a conference to be prepared. Last week a co-worker found a blog entry on seomoz.org in regards to a conference checklist. I have added a few items as it relates to the Luxury Real Estate conferences, and I believe it will help you maximize your experience.

What to Bring:

Business Cards – The person giving the card is much more important than the quality of the card. Unless you have superfluous design resources, don’t spend a significant amount of time or money on your business cards.

Laptop/Notepad – The medium onto which you transcribe your notes is personal preference. Just make sure you bring something and utilize it to its fullest.

Good Shoes – You will be standing and walking around in between sessions. Fuse function with fashion.

Appropriate Clothing – Check your favorite weather source and plan accordingly – we often have outdoor events. The event documents will state the dress code for the events – generally business or business casual during the day and business or cocktail in the evening.

Prepare Yourself:

Sign Up For a LinkedIn Account and Join the Luxury Real Estate Group – Be prepared to have other attendees research you and be sure to research them after the conference.

Know the Big Players/Companies – Know who the big players are before you get to the conference. Be proactive in seeking out potential contacts and individuals from your feeder markets.

Personalize Your Own Itinerary – Choose breakout sessions and roundtable discussions that you will be attending. Refer to the hotel map found in your packet for locations.

Airline Savings – Luxury Real Estate offers promotional codes on one or more airline. It may be only 5%, but hey, it’s savings! Or use airline mileage to book your flights.

Book Your Hotel Room – Planning ahead will ensure best room selection.

Pictures for the Roster – Luxury Real Estate provides a roster with pictures. It is extremely helpful to put a name with a face. Give your picture to Luxury Real Estate one month before the conference to be included in the roster.

Optional:

Bring a Separate Wireless Internet Source – If you have the resources, bring an external Internet source (i.e., PC card). This will keep you connected if Wi-Fi is not available or it goes down. Or rely on your mobile wireless device to keep up with email.

Be Born at Least 21 Years Prior to the Event – In the United States the legal drinking age is 21. Although drinking is not required by any means, a lot of networking occurs in the hotel bar in between events.

Find Restaurants Nearby – Knowing places to eat is always a great way to help you network. People unfamiliar with the area will be looking for someone who is in the know.

During the Conference:

Network, Network, Network! – The relationships you make at conferences have much more potential than the information you learn in sessions. Since almost everyone at a conference is there to network, meeting people should be easy. Study the roster in your conference packet.

Visit Sponsor Booths – Sponsors’ booths will feature important people and offer conversation starters with the people you don’t know. Frequently our sponsors provide elaborate giveaway items – don’t miss out!

Eat a Healthy Carb and Protein In the Morning – You do not want to miss out on valuable information throughout the day. Stay awake! You want to take in all you possibly can.

Drink a Lot of Water – Keeping yourself hydrated keeps you energized and fully functional.

Use Your Notepad/Computer – Take a lot of notes, at least one new page/file per session.

Always Bring Along Your Conference Packet – You may have your day planned out, but you never know when a conversation goes long and you are in the hall looking for your next event.

Keep All of Your Random Ideas In One Place – This can either be a separate text document or the last page of your notepad.

Collect Cool Promotional Items – Free stuff is great. Gather as much as you can and bring it home for friends, family or colleagues.

Receptions and Dinner Parties:

Mingle, Mingle, Mingle – Maximize your chances to network and meet other attendees.

Avoid Useless Conversations – Make your impact but keep most conversations short and to the point. Don’t get stuck with one person all night.

Don’t Sit With Friends or Colleagues – This is hard because most people see reception and dinner as a time to relax. This is not necessarily true. Network, Network, Network!

Post-Conference:

Review Business Cards – Reviewing business cards helps you to remember the people you met.

Review Notes – This will help you prioritize your follow-up tasks.

Create a To-Do-List – After a conference, your motivation will likely be really high. Use this opportunity to define future tasks and goals. It is helpful to do this right away. Review your list later (to see if you have accomplished what you intended).

Complete the Conference Survey – A survey will be sent to you one week after the conference. It is important for us to hear your feedback.

Re-connect:

Blog About It – Not only will this help you keep a record of the event, but it also provides an avenue to cement connections with people and promote yourself online.

Connect Online – Find people you met and connect with them in an online environment. Specifically, find people on LinkedIn, ActiveRain and other online communities.

Do You Have Any Tips? – We would love to hear from you on how to get the most out of LuxuryRealEstate.com conferences. Share them with us.


Editor’s Note:
As she mentioned, Yvonne Harvey is the Events Coordinator for LuxuryRealEstate.com. So when you come and enjoy the wonderful presentations, discussions and networking opportunities at Luxury Real Estate conferences, you know who to thank. You should definitely join us at the 13th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference on October 11-14, 2008. This is quite a long blog entry, but it’s definitely chock full of useful tips to follow.

By Yvonne Harvey

Did you know the state of “Pennsylvania” is spelled incorrectly on the Liberty Bell?

Inscribed on the Bell is the quotation, “By Order of the Assembly of the Province of Pensylvania for the State House in Philada.” Note that the spelling of “Pennsylvania” was not at that time universally adopted. In fact, in the original Constitution, the name of the state is also spelled “Pensylvania.”

If you get a chance to visit the second floor of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, take a moment to look at the original maps on the wall. They, too, have the state name spelled “Pensylvania” (and the Atlantic Ocean called by the name of that day, “The Western Ocean”). The choice of the quotation was made by Quaker Isaac Norris, Speaker of the Assembly.


Editor’s Note:
Yvonne Harvey is the Events Coordinator for LuxuryRealEstate.com. So when you come and enjoy the wonderful presentations, discussions and networking opportunities at Luxury Real Estate conferences, you know who to thank. You should definitely join us at the 13th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference on October 11-14, 2008. And be sure to take lots of notes. I know I’ll have my “penn” ready if I get to go to “Pensylvania.”