Last weekend I attended the Miller/Schaub/Fortunato event in San Francisco, host by Michael Morrongiello’s Bay Area Wealth Builders group. Had a great time and learned an awful lot, as this has become an expectation of mine.
My friend Will, Cousin Randy and I left LA mid-morning Thursday 5/28 and drove the Cayenne Turbo up I-5, cut thru Gilroy and up the 101 to the City. An easy drive and we missed most of the traffic, too.
After settling in, we went across the street to Ruth Chris’ steakhouse for what I would describe as an overpriced, tough steak with expensive sideorders, served in a beautiful setting by efficient staff. I’ve had better experiences with Sizzler, however I’m biased, maybe because I bought the ranch and made my mortgage payments to the guy that started Sizzler, a real gentleman in every way. But I digress…
When I go to a seminar, especially one where any of these three are speaking, I know that I’m using my time and money wisely. I always walk away with useful, creative ideas, often an epiphony of the meaning of certain concepts, and overall great experiences.
There are really three events, at least, that I observe:
1) There are the speakers, who are long-time, active, seasoned investors. They are not teaching something that they just heard six months ago, tried once successfully and now are guru experts. These guys are the real deal and make their livings investing in real estate. I doubt what they make from speaking and publishing is a significant part of their income.
2) The listeners– the seasoned, active investor attendees – are as big a part of these events as the speakers! A lot of people don’t consider this, however I believe it to be true. You have to have good speakers to attract people, but if all you have are eager newbies to an event, the energy is brief. With Miller, Schaub and Fortunato, they attract investors who are largely highly experienced, high net-worth, and bring much knowledge to the event and contribute greatly to the overall experience. You won’t find them at loan-mod or short-sale workshop seminars, either.
3) The third event is harder to describe and maybe a bit more personal. What I’ve found at these, and a small handful of other events, is the seminar that goes on in my head! This is to say that I hear and see certain things at these events that trigger great ideas for my own business. Some of the ideas get implemented, many do not, however the effect of the total experience is that of a “muse;” that force or influence that develops overall better, creative ideas and inspires one to act.
It’s also important to meet people and integrate well socially when attending these (all?) events, however I do not like the concept that some people refer to as ‘networking.’ My reasoning is that the people who go to these events wanting to use the events merely for their own business/social benefit without adding to the experience are there to take, not to give. I find it fairly easy to spot them because they always want something, or are promoting something with little consideration to the listener, or are aggressively trying to get free advise without paying their way. It’s very obvious and I find that particularly unattractive.
Fortunately, by far the great percentage of people at the SF event were there to have a good time, visit with old and new friends alike, and take in the experience that only San Francisco has to offer (I’ve never had the opportunity to ride a cable car anywhere else…and Disneyland doesn’t count).
Next stop of the Jack Miller train is Reno, July 11-13, 2009 in Reno. Will I see you there?
