It's a real privilege to work with our members

Members truly make a convention special. Your energy, excitement and willingness to commit to MAR’s annual event really make our job, as staff, fun. Freeze Frame 2004: REALTORS® are the Fashion will definitely go down in the history books as one of MAR’s best events.

We can tell you’re taking notice because attendance is on the rise. From the staff’s perspective, that’s a great thing. It means more people to meet and know, making the most of the relationships that exist with the REALTORS® we ultimately serve. I knew our members were special from the moment I started at MAR, but there was a 30-minute episode of coincidental run-ins that made me a true believer of our members’ greatness.

The epiphany started at Realcomp II, Ltd.’s booth. With throbbing feet and a headache pounding my brain, I was cutting through the expo hall on my way to check on a few things backstage at the Monday fashion show, when I heard a voice I thought came from heaven.

“ Tim, looks like you need a massage,” said Realcomp’s Fran Greene. “C’mon over and we’ll take care of you.”

I did need a massage. How did she know? After glancing around to make sure it was me she was talking to, I saw that Fran and the rest of Realcomp II, Ltd.’s booth were indeed trying to get my attention. They pointed at two massage chairs nearby. They were in use, but said they had a vacancy in a minute and needed those chairs filled, and I looked like the right person for the job.

While I waited for a chair to open up, I got to rest my feet on perhaps the greatest foot massage machine ever. I was exhausted and looking for a place to relax, little did I know it would be a time of recharge.

“ We love your members,” Fran said, switching my massager to high. “It’s so nice to be able to come to events like this and meet REALTORS® whom we wouldn’t otherwise get to meet. Everyone is so friendly and wanting to talk.”

I agreed. After a piece of chocolate I managed to stumble to my feet (I don’t know about other people, but massages tend to leave me off balance) and eventually passed Camron Gnass. Gnass owns a design company in Lansing and was one of the morning’s first speakers.

“ Your members are great!” he said. “They asked a lot of questions and I think they really took to what I said. I hope they learned something from my presentation. They sure were eager.”

Dan Hartman, of Exit Realty, saw me talking to Camron and came over. After telling me one of his signature jokes, a funny little number about lawyers and mowing lawns, he pulled me aside.

“ This is our favorite convention to attend because of your members,” he said. “What do you guys do to get them so fired up?”

Even Eddie Tapp, an Adobe Photoshop guru, one of the best digital photography guys in the business, made mention of our members.

“ Great audience, really wanted more detail,” he said. “I like that.”

It went on like this most of the event. I had more comments, especially from the REALTOR® Royale, but didn’t manage to write them all down. I think I may have handed them to the guy in the pirate hat thinking that they were drink tickets.

But, trust me, they were great!

As the last issue of 2004, looking ahead to 2005, keep on doing what you’re doing, REALTORS®. Know that the MAR staff looks forward to serving you because we’re proud of what you do for your business, your community and each other.

Keep up the good work.