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ORLANDO, Fla., July 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Motivational advice from top industry trainers, the latest in high-tech devices and a chance to network with other real estate professionals: That's what the Florida Realtors® 2017 Convention & Trade Expo offers – opportunities to boost business and the bottom line.

This year's Convention & Trade Expo takes place Aug. 16-17, 2017, at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort in Orlando, with the popular REBarCamp slated to kick off the event on Tuesday, Aug. 15. Then Realtor members will get down to the business of the state association and wrap up the week with governance meetings, Aug. 18-20, 2017.

"Florida Realtors' annual Convention & Trade Expo offers a wealth of business information, trends, best practices and more – every Realtor in the state should have it marked on their calendar," says 2017 Florida Realtors President Maria Wells, broker-owner with Lifestyle Realty Group in Stuart. "The new format makes it possible for individuals to customize their convention experience. In just two days, the convention is packed with inspirational speakers, education sessions, networking and exciting entertainment; then the focus shifts to the state association with governance meetings and planning for the coming year."

The 2017 convention features more than 35 education sessions from top industry speakers on various topics such as new trends in real estate, improving sales and productivity, digital marketing, converting leads into business and building successful real estate teams. Sessions are organized into eight tracks that allow attendees to focus on a core interest: global, technology, trends, customer engagement, productivity, personal growth, broker and continuing education.

Wells adds, "Florida Realtors' annual Convention & Trade Expo provides outstanding value for all Realtors. Not only do leading industry experts share their tips on profitability, along with success strategies and top marketing techniques, but it's also a chance to network with industry colleagues from across Florida! It's a 'can't-miss-this' business opportunity for every Realtor in the state."

Convention highlights

• REBarCamp: Aug. 15, 12-5:30 p.m.
  In this peer-to-peer session, attendees set the agenda, discuss the issues and discover solutions together. Participants decide that day what's top of mind in the real estate marketplace, then topics are determined from those requests, rooms are assigned and session facilitators are selected. Expect to choose from more than 30 sessions during the event. More than 600 Realtors attended last year's REBarCamp. Attendance is free.
  
  
• Opening Session with Daymond John: Aug. 16, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. A star on ABC-TV's "Shark Tank," Daymond John offers his business insights on "Branding & Entrepreneurial Strategies" in this high-energy session. One complimentary ticket is included with full convention registration. One additional ticket can be purchased by full convention attendees for $30.
  
  
• Ultimate Tailgate/Dance Party with "Party on the Moon": Aug. 16, 7-11 p.m.
  Returning for the third year in a row, American's No. 1 Party Band, Party on the Moon delivers a high-energy evening of the latest dance music, '80s classic rock, Latin, disco/funk, R&B and Motown. This 13-piece band has performed worldwide. The event starts with the Ultimate Tailgate Party from 7-8 p.m., followed by the Dance Party from 8-11 p.m. One complimentary ticket for the party is included with full convention registration. Additional tickets can be purchased by any attendee for $30.
   
• Awards Luncheon, featuring Cirque Dreams: Aug. 17, noon-1:30 p.m.
  Florida Realtors honors Realtor excellence and service at a ticketed event, including recognizing the Humanitarian of the Year and Realtor of the Year and other award winners. Cirque Dreams offers an exciting display of grace, balance and artistry, including elaborate aerial feats to thrill the audience. Tickets are $50 and will be sold until noon on Aug. 16, or as long as they're available.
  
  
• Closing Session with George Blankenship: Aug. 17, 4 p.m.
  A former executive at Tesla, Apple and the Gap, George Blankenship will share his outlook on business success and "The Customer Experience" as he wraps up the educational days of the convention with ideas to inspire business innovation and transform your company. One complimentary ticket is included with full convention registration. One additional ticket can be purchased by full convention attendees for $30.
  
  
• The Trade Expo, Aug. 16, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Aug. 17, 8 a.m.-3 pm.
  The expo features about 200 industry experts and exhibitors showcasing the latest marketing and technology products. Attendance to the Trade Expo (expo only) is free!

Sponsors for the 2017 convention include: Title Sponsors, Listing Power Tools and HomeValue.com; Titanium Sponsors, My Florida Regional MLS and American Home Shield; Diamond Association Partnership Sponsors, Miami Association of Realtors, Northeast Florida Association of Realtors with RealtyWEB.net and Metro Market Trends and RAPB + GFLR (Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches/Greater Fort Lauderdale Realtors); Dance Title Sponsor, Absolute Home Mortgage; Gold Partner Sponsor, Century 21 Real Estate LLC, AmeriSpec LLC and Ten-X; Ruby Association Partnership Sponsor, Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association; Sapphire Association Partnership Sponsor, Orlando Regional Realtor Association; Tailgate Party Sponsor, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles; Emerald Association Partnership Sponsor, Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee; Registration Bags/Lanyards Sponsor, Florida Realtors PAC; Exclusive Selfie City Sponsor, Miami Association of Realtors; Exclusive Photo Booth Sponsor, Elite Property Research; Exclusive Mojitos & Martinis Sponsor, Miami Association of Realtors; Popcorn Cart Sponsor, American Home Shield; and Official Notepad Sponsor, AmeriSpec LLC.

Additional sponsors are: $5,000 level, Real Estate Express, A McKissock Company and PNC Bank; $1,500, The Canadian Real Estate Association, HomeTeam Inspection Service, and MyFloodStatus.com powered by WTG; $1,000, MHM Professional Staging/Megan's Moving and Total Title Solutions; $500 level, Agent Personal Assistant, Dotloop Inc., Hamilton Group Funding, Instanet Solutions, Journey Markers, Preferred Link, Realtors Property Resource, TenantReports.com, U.S. Mortgage Corporation and VHT Studios.

Realtor members may register online through Aug. 7 for the Florida Realtors convention at https://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/Annual-Convention-Registration.cfm or by calling 1-800-669-4327. The full event registration fee for members is $150 through July 14. Between July 15 and Aug. 7, the full event cost for members is $160. After Aug. 7, registration will be handled at the convention site. For more info, check out http://convention.floridarealtors.org/.

Florida Realtors® serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its more than 165,000 members in 54 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Media Center website is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org.

SOURCE Florida Realtors