Once we wrap Wednesday, we will be hanging casually at Alium Bar (on-site) until just past sundown.  If you decide to head back to the hotel or grab dinner, you’ll want to meet the crew for REBarCRAWL at 8:00 p.m. at The Stage (no cover, ID required) in downtown Nashville on Honky Tonk Row.  From there, we’ll see who is superstar enough to brave the Nashville karaoke scene at Music City’s locals singing spot, Lonnies in Printer’s Alley (no cover, ID required…and you may want some Febreeze afterward).

Warning: REBarCrawl 2010 may require a late night and some Frebreeze!

This design will appear on the back of the Carolina blue T-shirt with a chest logo on the front.  We will have sizes small, medium, large, XL and XXL.

They are absolutely FREE thanks to Talbott Title & Escrow and WR Starkey Mortgage!

Locally, Hands On Nashville has stepped to help answer the call for volunteers in national and local disasters, in tough times, but still allows for the day-to-day volunteer activities of places like meals on wheels agencies, Second Harvest Food Bank, The Ronald McDonald House and the Nashville Humane Association (to name a few).

All solicited donations the day-of and surplus sponsorship funds will be given to the charity.  Please be prepared to give, and when if are from Nashville…volunteer.  If you’re not, search for your local affiliate and get involved!

Mitch Canter (Session:  ”How To Use WordPress for Dang Near Anything.”) from StudioNashVegas will be our opening speaker.  Mitch is a WordPress designer living in Franklin, TN.  Labeled as the “Chief Creative Mercenary,” he loves taking WordPress to new heights by creating websites that are both visually stimulating and functional to the last detail.  His client list includes some of the superstars of the marketing and social media world, as well as bloggers and businesses from coast to coast and beyond.  He also loves making rock awesome facebook fan pages that do things that knock your socks off.

Justin Briggs. Also known as the “SEO Zombie”, Justin is the Search Engine Optimization and social media expert at Spurr Marketing. He’s one the best SEO consultants in Nashville and has been recognized nationally for his ability to drive traffic online, and wear flip flops year round. You may have seen Justin present at conferences like Barcamp, or hanging out at the national conferences like PubCon and SMX. Consider yourself warned about his passion for SEO and his no bullshit approach to explaining and executing SEO, he will tell you everything. You can find him on Twitter at SEOZombie.  Justin’s day gig is working over at Paramore|Redd as their SEO manager.

This is a capped-attendance event; so, register today!

#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.

Nashville’s REBarcamp is shaping up to potentially be one of the largest ones.  It doesn’t hurt, however, that Nashville is within a one day drive from 75% of the U.S. population.  As a Southwest Airlines hub, flights come in as low as $75 from Chicago, $85 from Cleveland, $89 from Providence $95 from New Orleans and $149 from Los Angeles.

Also, remember from these cities we’re a super-close drive.

Huntsville, AL (2 hours)

Atlanta, GA (4 hours)

Indianapolis (4 hours)

Louisville (2.5 hours)

Chattanooga (2 hours)

Memphis (3 hours)

Knoxville (3 hours)

Asheville (5 hours)

St. Louis (5 hours)

Birmingham (3 hours)

Little Rock (5.5 hours)

Lexington (3.5 hours)

Cincinnati (4.5 hours)

Evansville (3 hours)

Charleston, WV (6 hours)

Greenville, SC (6 hours)

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
Keller Williams Realty
30 Burton Hills Blvd Suite 175
Nashville, TN 37215 – Green Hills

Call me: 615-568-2123 615-568-2123

email me: barryowen@kw.com

Visit The Owen Group http://www.theowengroup.net

http://www.owengroupnashvillehomes.com

Barry Owen’s Internet Portal to all blogsites, websites, and social networks

http://tnrealestatetribalhub.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/barry-owens-web-portal/

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Quintessentially connected to the real estate industry to offer the ultimate experience for Home Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee . . . Inquire within!

1.  Create a Twitter account.  Your name laminate will have a huge spot for your Twitter handle.  It’s almost more pertinent that your real name in this culture.

2.  Use the #REBCNASH hashtag.  This confuses a lot of even tech savvy people.  When you tweet, you can “throw” a post into a place for lots of people to see it.  Using the # symbol or “hashtag” sends the message to the interest group on Twitter.  Now what does that mean for your conference?  You can start networking and creating contacts, referral partners and friends before you even show up and keep those contacts flowing after the event.  Here’s an example of the Tweet you can shout out into the world “Heading to #REBCNASH in April.  Who else is in?”

3.  Bring a camera or be ready to use the camera on your phone.  You will not be given a formal program, because there is no formal program.  It is created that morning and placed on large white boards.  Those boards become crazy in the morning, and you may want to shoot a quick pic of the board for your reference as you move through the day.

4.  Don’t wear normal business attire. This IS a casual, fun event.  There’s no attitude and no uniforms, only a spirit of transparent sharing.  You may find yourself sitting on a floor for a unexpectedly popular session.  You may yourself needing comfortable shoes to stand during a session.  You simply do not know.

5.  Check the forecast and bring an umbrella. While most of the sessions are inside, you will be outside while changing sessions and during registration.

6.  Update your phone contact card. While people WILL have business cards there, many will be in the mood to “bump,” “beam” and “upload.”  If you’re not familiar with the technology, ask someone how you do it.  This is the time to lose the fear and find your answers.

7.  Stay away from people you know. I’m always amazed at the agents who hang in a comfort zone during these amazing times to build referrals.  We have agents registered from North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, New Jersey and California ALREADY.  You’ll want to meet, greet and build relationships with these people!

8.  Create a Facebook account or up your exposure just prior to the event. Let your sphere know you are coming and see who else may be there.  Again, like Twitter, it’s a great way to network before and after.

9.  Clear your mind of pre-conceived notions on conferences. This event is truly like none other.  If you’re hoping for a typical state or local conference type session experience, YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED.  If you’re looking for impressive PowerPoint presentations, fancy handouts and smooth rhetoric, YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED.  If you have an open mind to what can happen, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!

10.  Clear your calendar after 5 pm, too.  After your brain is full and swirling, you’ll want to enjoy the time after the camp with your newly-found contacts.  Plan on hanging out at the host bar/restaurant, dinner with friends and even more networking after 5.  Get a babysitter ready, forget about you TV show addiction that night or tell your trainer that this night simply isn’t going to work for you.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010
7:00 p.m.

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