Thursday, April 23
10:45 - 11:55 am
Broker Legal Issues
Gail Anderson received her undergraduate degree and law degree (cum laude) from the University of Illinois in 1985. Ms. Anderson represents developers, lenders, real estate brokers, title companies, and other businesses. She is a past chairperson of the Real Property Law Section of the State Bar. Ms. Anderson has authored numerous articles in the Michigan Real Property Review and is a frequent lecturer on real property law matters for both the Real Property Law Section and the Institute of Continuing Legal Education.
Wednesday, April 22
7:00 - 8:00 pm
Opening Keynote
Thursday, April 23
1:15 - 3:00 pm
Knowledge Session
Ms. Asher started her real estate career in 1982 as a salesperson with DeSimone Realty Inc., one of New York’s largest independent real estate brokerage companies. In 1997 Debra took on new challenges with the co-founding of ProCalibre Associates Inc. ProCalibre Associates has assisted over 300 real estate companies and professional organizations and more than 8,000 agents in achieving exceptional levels of productivity and profitability. A mix of humor, focus on serious business and ‘out of the box’ thinking inspires new and mid-level agents to be confident and motivated toward achieving greater success. Her effective communication style is based on a keen awareness, understanding of and empathy for the challenges facing REALTORS® in today’s Market Conditions and Consumer expectations.
Thursday, April 23
1:15 - 3:00 pm
Knowledge Session
Paul Bishop is the Managing Director of Real Estate Research at the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Dr. Bishop leads the Research Division’s survey and market research activities including analysis of real estate business and policy issues.
Prior to joining NAR in 2001, Dr. Bishop was a Senior Financial Economist in the Division of Insurance at the FDIC. Between 1991 and 1996, Dr. Bishop was a Senior Economist at the WEFA Group in the Regional Consulting and Forecasting Group where he managed the state and metropolitan area forecasting service and worked with clients on numerous consulting projects.
Dr. Bishop earned his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and resides in Alexandria, Virginia.
Thursday, April 23
3:45 - 4:45 pm
Making Sense of Social Media
Ellyn didn’t back into social media. Quite the opposite. She, let us say, made a frontal engagement.
A few years ago, after a breast cancer diagnosis, Ellyn realized it was going to be a daunting task to keep family and friends updated on her health, treatments, state-of-mind. She quickly realized a blog was going to be her fastest, most efficient way to communicate with the people who cared. Soon, besides informing her pals, her blog was reaching other cancer patients and helping them through their diagnosis and treatments. Next, she created a Facebook group to promote her breast cancer activities, events and initiatives. Out of a negative, scary circumstance, Ellyn has found a passion, enthusiasm and a great understanding of the power of social media.
Before Ignite, Ellyn spent 15 years with Brogan & Partners. Her focus during that time was traditional media and then Account Management. She’s had extensive experience in new product and new program launches. Ellyn’s an adept manager and is able to oversee and coordinate teams on complex projects.
Ellen received a BBA in Marketing and Operations Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. And an International Business Specialization from the London School of Economics.
Thursday, April 23
8:00 - 8:25 am
MAR Update
Rob Campau is a veteran lobbyist who joined the Michigan Association of REALTORS® in February of 1996.Prior to joining MAR, he was Director of Environmental Affairs for the Michigan Manufacturers Association. Rob received a BA in communications from Michigan State University and Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he attended nights while working as a Legislative Assistant in the State House of Representatives. His responsibilities at MAR include working with the Michigan legislature and regulatory agencies, MAR’s legal advocacy programs, support for political involvement, RPAC and other Public Policy Department Programs.
Thursday, April 23
8:30 - 10:30 am
Building Profitable and Sustainable Brokerages in the New Market
Jeremy Conaway is a recognized and leading expert in the field of real estate brokerage, association and MLS design. He is the founder and president of RECON Intelligence Services, a leading source of strategic and tactical ideas and applications for the real estate industry. Jeremy is a nationally known speaker, author, and facilitator. He has created business plans, strategic campaigns, and tactical objectives for some of the top companies in the real estate services industry. His articles are regularly published in a number of national journals. Jeremy has been involved in the real estate industry in many capacities for over fifteen years. As legal counsel he has served in a variety of roles including closing counsel, real estate association counsel, and brokerage counsel.
As a brokerage design consultant, Jeremy works with some of the largest real estate firms in the North American brokerage industry, with more than 80,000 agents producing over $95 billion in annual sales. His counsel and expertise is constantly sought by many of his brokerage clients that are now leading their marketplaces into the new real estate transaction. Jeremy believes that today’s real estate brokerage can and will remain at the center of the real estate interaction. He is committed to the success of the real estate brokerage services.
Thursday, April 23
10:45 - 11:55 am
Broker Legal Issues
Greg McClelland acts as primary outside general counsel to the Michigan Association of REALTORS®, and as counsel for numerous local REALTOR® Boards and Associations. He authors a regular article in the Michigan REALTOR® and the Michigan Home Builders Association News and has acted as litigation counsel for associations, developers, general contractors, owners, and businesses for the past 20 years in bankruptcy, state, and federal courts and has testified as an expert witness with respect to real estate and business practices and litigation. Mr. McClelland received his law degree magna cum laude from the University of Illinois in 1978 and served in the United States Marine Corp from 1969 to 1972.