Preparing for CAR Sacramento!

Real Estate Education Training:

CAR Sacramento is just around the corner!

Our annual visit to Sacramento is always filled with excitement!  I have been fortunate to make the trip since 1994 and I still look forward to the information and networking opportunities provided by our California Association of Realtors (CAR) Staff and Volunteers.  This is always a popular CAR meeting and is often the largest.  The other two annual CAR meetings are rotated among other popular California Cities (Northern and Southern) but Sacramento in my opinion is still the main attraction.  The visits with our Legislators are always a highlight.  We are afforded in office "face time" with our hometown and other elected California Leadership and given the opportunity to discuss Real Estate industry topics of interest that enhance our ability to help our clients.  This years meeting will be just as exciting and informative.  We have several new Assembly members and Senators representing us and staff changes as a result of the November elections.  The Inland Empire has newly elected Assembly members Cheryl Brown and Jose Medina.  Senator Richard Roth is also a new member of our California Legislature.  I am sure that we will meet with these and other new members to share our common interest on housing related issues.

Our CAR Staff also convenes an orientation/issues briefing to help us better present the Real Estate related issues to our elected officials during the visit.  Office visits with each legislator are about one half hour and it is crucial that this time be well used to convey our industry concerns, etc.  This is NOT a time to be used to discuss non Real Estate issues or personal problems.  CAR Staff and Volunteers have developed videos and other training materials emphasizing the proper protocol for visits with our Legislators.  We are reminded that we cannot give or discuss money donated during the meeting with Legislators.

The Legislative Reception is also a great opportunity to chat with and introduce our elected officials in an informal setting.  This tradition is very special and always has overflow attendance with elected officials and other Real Estate industry movers and shakers.  The Reception is on Wednesday during the CAR meeting. 

I enjoy the networking with my many Realtors friends from up and down the state.  My nearly two decades of attending CAR meetings has helped me forge some valuable  business and personal relationships.  If a California Realtor is going to attend one meeting a year, it will likely be the CAR Sacramento meeting.  CAR meetings always offer an array of industry related committee meetings, guest speaker events and more to keep you up to date on our business. Sacramento is easily reached by ground or air transportation.  Some Realtor members car pool to help defray their costs.  Some also share a room to further reduce the expense. 

If you are planning to attend the CAR Sacramento meeting this is a great time to begin making travel and hotel arrangements.  First, inform your Local Association Staff and let them know that you plan to go.  You might also inquire whether there are key meetings, luncheons or other events during the Sacramento meeting. This information will help you get the most out of the meeting. Staff can also direct you on registration and other steps that will make the investment worthwhile.   You will likely need to make your own travel and hotel room registrations.  The sooner you begin the process the better choices for hotels near the Sacramento Convention Center. Be sure to go to the www.car.org web site for additional information about the meeting and other Realtor benefits.