#1.  The NashTrash Tour:  It’s a white trash tour of Nashville in a big pink bus hosted by two of the funniest, big-haired ladies in Music City, The Jugg Sisters.  Reservations a MUST!

#2.  The Country Music Hall of Fame:  Whether you like country music or not, the building’s architecture alone is enough to wow you.  If museums are your thing, this is your thing!

#3.  Bicentennial Park:  One of the smartest designed parks anywhere in the Southeast, the park presents the entire history of Tennessee from one end to the other.  Notice the geography changes to reflect the state’s terrain.  Hang out for the chiming of “The Tennessee Waltz” on the hour at the tower bells.  Grab lunch and a shopping trip at The Farmer’s Market.

#4.  The Opryland Hotel:  Yeah, I know, it’s a hotel.  What’s the big deal?  I said the same thing when I went to Vegas and everyone was telling me I had to go to Bellagio and Caesar’s Palace.  I’m so glad I took their advice.  Check out the indoor savannah and geysers and take a boat ride.  Parking stinks!  Park at the mall next door for free and walk over.  The mall…well…it’s a mall, if you like that stuff.

#5.  The Grand Ole Opry:  On Tuesday and Thursday night, you’ll find live country music at the Opry.  They haven’t announced the artists yet for those evenings; so, check the link for performers and buy your tickets early.

#6.  Live Like A Local:  Obviously, there is no website for this tip, but if you want to see where the locals hang out, check out Five Points in East Nashville along Woodland near 11th.  Hang out at 3 Crow Bar, Red Door Saloon or Beyond the Edge.  Grab a hot dog at “I Dream of Weenie,” a hot dog stand in a ’70s VW van.  Try out the Trailer Trash Ice Cream at Pied Piper.  Grab fresh roast at Bongo Java then check out the tunes on retro vinyl at The Groove.  Take in the local art at Garage Mahal.  Play drag queen bingo at MadDonnas.  (All within walking distance of the venue.)

#7.  Stalk A Star.  Again, no website.  Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman are known to really like Bread & Company in Green Hills and J. Alexanders on West End.  Kings of Leon guys hang at Whiskey Kitchen.  Wynonna Judd loves wearing her red rain coat parka with hood to the Target on White Bridge Road.  Tim McGraw and Faith Hill love them some Cheesecake Factory.

#8.  Go Honky-Tonkin’:  Tootsies is a Nashville honky-tonk institution.  Live music grabs you every where you go on 2nd, Broadway and Printer’s Alley.

#9.  Stroll Down Music Row:  Nashville’s Music Row isn’t much to see besides buildings, but you have to tell everyone you’ve been on Music Row.  It’s like going to Los Angeles and not driving down Rodeo Drive.  The Row runs one way on 17th and 18th near downtown.

#10.  Too Many Miscellaneous Things To List:  Come in a few days early and run in the Country Music Marathon.  Take in a songwriter’s night at the classic Bluebird Cafe.  Drop by Hatch Show Print at 316 Broadway.  Take a tour of The Ryman Auditorium or even catch Aretha Franklin in concert the week you’re here.

The primary benefit of attending most conferences is the networking and masterminds BETWEEN the meetings, what if . . . ? #in

What if the whole CONFERENCE were nothing BUT opportunities to network and mastermind with other professionals of like mindset?

Without key-note speakers . . .

An environment in which you have a day Full of opportunity for you to lead and/or participate ONLY in sessions relating to issues that align with YOUR goals and passion.

Add in the additional derived benefit of many of the TOP performers in your field being present and on the playing field – The SAME playing field you are on (Not the stage above you in panels) – and being willing to fully engage in dialog for the mutual benefit of all.

Complete the perfect conference with the simplicity of FREE – NO COST TO YOU for registration.

Pinch yourself . . .

This dream is a true one for anyone who chooses to come to Nashville on Wednesday April 28, 2010 for the first of what will probably be many real estate Bar camps in Nashville, TN.

This event would be worth the trip for anyone who lives within 500 miles of Nashville (something like 1/2 of the population of the US).

Here’s a link to the website where you can get details and register:

http://rebarcampnashville.com/

Thank you to Brian Copeland for doing the heavy lifting of organizing this incredible event and for inviting me along with a handful of other folks to be “Hosts”

Much like the facilitation process i specialize in – Open space technology – which is internationally famous for its uncanny effectiveness in moving any organization of any size into appropriate action through self-organization around a particular issue or opportunity in a VERY short period of time, the Bar camp environment begins with very little structure.

The slate is clean other than a theme.

There is no prescribed agenda.

there are no “talking heads”.

You can bring your own topics and create your own agenda.

I promise that if you have ANY questions about Social Media, the internet, marketing, business building . . . THIS would be time well spent

You bring yourself and your open mind and your ideas . . . Come with some notion as to what you would like to learn . . . What issue you would like to solve . . . and I GUARANTEE that if you show up at THIS conference, you will leave at the end with more than you expected.

I’ll be there . . . The one with the big, goofy smile on my face like a kid in a FREE candy store . . .

Will you?

I’m just sayin’

Best,

b

Barry Owen

Principal Real Estate Broker
Pareto Realty