#NAR09 - San Diego

I'm still recovering from a crazy cold and from PCSD (Post Convention Stress Disorder) but wanted to get out a few thoughts following NAR09 - San Diego.

RPR: Let's just get this out of the way first - I'm tired of hearing about the RPR. Obviously there are still a million things to be flushed out and we all have a ton of questions. Whatever question you have, someone else asked it last week - or the week before. Will the RPR change the landscape? Probably. Is this the death of the MLS? I don't think so but I do think the MLS business is in great need of a huge evolution. I've been in this business for about 15 years and it hasn't changed much. We went from mainframe systems to fat clients to the innerwebs but that hasn't really changed anything. The whole world around us has changed but we haven't. I say it's time for some change. The RPR may be the change we need and, if we don't step up, may push us out of the way. Either way - it's time for some innovation.

RETS: I missed the Saturday RETS panel facilitated by Mike Wurzer because I was sick but I heard it was a pretty heated event. I heard people were upset that nothing has happened with RETS in 2 years. That's been a topic coming from all different directions for some time now. Here's what I think - the RETS spec has not moved for 2 years, that's true. There isn't a whole lot of "published" RETS advancement. That does not mean we haven't done anything. RESO was formed just 2 years ago. We hired an Executive Director, wrote Bylaws and an IP Policy. We contracted NAR to project manage the development of a Compliance Tool. We worked out our recommendations for the usage of that Compliance Tool. We created some support procedures (thanks CRT for being 1st line support!). We're putting in place a Document Management system to facilitate quick publication of changes to the spec. In my opinion what we have done is put some tools in place which will make forward motion much more efficient in the future. We've built a foundation. The Cove Group put a fire under us to refocus on Standard Names, Data Standards and/or Schema. We're close to publishing Core RETS with Extensions. We have a great start to a Roadmap. We have detailed Goals and Objectives for the future. We're *this close* to wrapping up a ton of little projects. The place we're still not doing so well? Communication. Thanks to the Outreach & Education Workgroup, and specifically Troy Davisson, I think we've got a great plan for revising RETS.org and taking great strides in fixing that issue. I heard from someone that RETS hasn't moved because the vendors aren't doing anything. That's a big load of BS. The vendors have busted their butts in getting the Compliance Tool designed and tested. I've heard it's because NAR has done nothing - that too is a big load of BS. NAR paid for a very expensive and comprehensive Compliance Tool and NAR (CRT) staff has worked to see it published. Again, while it seems nothing has happened I'd say a ton has happened. Don't believe me? Call in on Compliance or Roadmap or Education.


My Favorite New Tool: I was fortunate enough to get a demo of CloudCMA. Disclaimer: I think Dan Woolley and Greg Robertson are brilliant! I loved the clean look of CloudCMA. It follows what the fellas have done with Dwellicious. I won't get in to a salesy discussion - sign up on the site and get info from the source but, I'm telling you, it's cool. Another thing I learned during the demo - suites at the Hard Rock have the shower kind of right in the middle of the room. Pretty interesting.

My Favorite Meeting: Pace Davis (just ask Kurt von Wasmuth...we always use both first and last name for Pace Davis) and I met with Lin and Bob from Hawaii Information Service. We met in Lin's suite during the Florida game. We talked about tons of topics and watched the game. Lin gave us a ton of Hawaiian candy. Our meeting was laid back, comfortable and fun. Lin is very opinionated and articulate in voicing her opinions - those are wonderfully refreshing attributes!

My Favorite Session: Hands-down was The Future of the MLS facilitated by Mike Wurzer. The panelists were all great, the content was timely. Obviously the presentations were revised to include the RPR. Ron Stephan, Matt Cohen, Jim Duncan and Bob Bemis hit across the board on their opinions. I have to say - Bob Bemis was fantastic! His Magic 8 Ball was funny. Oh...and right before the session Bob gave me a check for the money I won in his famous football pool. And for you sports fans out there - my method is very scientific. I choose based on which animal would win in a fight, then what city I'd prefer to visit. If neither of those work I pick my favorite color. I'm up $200 this year, last year it was closer to $600.

My Favorite Dinner: Sunday night I had dinner with some of the Clareity Security folks (Nicole Boxx, Eric Hoglund and Paul Hethmon) and my dear friend Marty Reed from LPS. We started with drinks in the bar at the Marriott then had dinner at Roy's. Thanks Kevin Hughes for suggesting we make reservations! Our conversations ranged from super-duper personal to work to inappropriate. We told secrets about ourselves and pumped each other up. We all laughed so hard our stomachs hurt. I feel very blessed not only to have these folks as my friends but to have been able to spend so much time together!

My Favorite Night Out: After dinner at Roy's Nicole, Paul and I headed out to hook up with some LPS folks to celebrate a birthday. Nicole and Paul didn't last very long but, in true KC style, I did. I don't kiss and tell so I'll keep my comments to this: Johann is marvelous and thanks, Underboy, for defending my honor! The rest of you - thanks for including me! I had a great time, even if I was a bit Greene at the airport!

My Favorite Party: Had to be Tarasoft! Those boys sure know how to do it! I found it amazingly classy that they invited everyone, even their competitors. The venue was amazing, conversations were fabulous and the crowd was varied. I think having a cocktail hour rather than a late-night party is the way to go. And do it in style. Thanks Ray and Jeremy for thinking so highly of me, it means a lot!!!! And Kurt - I can't even think about you without laughing. You are a funny, funny man! I promise to find that video and send it to you.

My Favorite Bridge Activity: On Sunday Pace Davis and I had lunch with some of our RETS IQ customers. We were sad not all could make it but had a great time with our intimate group including Freddy Sarabia, Bill Cole, Adrese Roundtree and Jason Sanchez. I'll get some pics posted on Facebook and Picasa as soon as I have time.

Last but not least...My Favorite Kiss: Was from Wes Wiggins. Wes is tall and he always gives the best snuggly hello kisses in the business!!!

As I write this a lot of the fog is starting to clear. As Rob Overman tweeted - this was a strange one! I think my main take-aways are: I'm tired of the RPR for now and I am damn lucky to know the people I do. Thanks Suzanne Harris and Steve Byrd for offering to take care of me when I was sick! Sorry Pace Davis for giving you my germs.