NAREE Heads to Orlando, Philly in 07

The National Association of Real Estate Editors (NAREE) will meet during the International Builders Show in Orlando from Feb. 7 to Feb. 10. About 100 members are expected. Firm dates for the NAREE Media Reception and President's Hospitality Suite are expected to be announced by December 1. NAREE will also man an Information Table and hold a board meeting during IBS. 

Hundreds of writers and editors cover the IBS Show's numerous panels, new product exhibits, and show houses. The NAREE focus at IBS is to provide  networking vehicles for members and to assist them in navigating  the show which draws more than 100,000  builders and housing industry experts.  Reporters are invited to email the NAREE office regarding coverage tips. Most members find arriving at least one day prior to the show's opening day allows them to hit the ground running when the doors open. Making advance arrangements for interviews and photography is also key for those on tight deadlines.  "Pre planning a week or two before will help maximize show coverage opportunities," said NAREE Executive Director Mary Doyle-Kimball who covered the show for more than 15 years for The Miami Herald.

Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended. Reporters should expect and plan for traffic delays on their ground commute from hotels and events outside the Orange County Convention Center.

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The NAREE Board voted to hold its 41st Annual Spring Conference in Philadelphia in June of 07.  Al Heavens of the Philadelphia Inquirer, and NAREE chairman of the Board, is chairing the meeting which will include morning panels and afternoon tours.  "The goal of the conference is to bring sources from all over the nation under one roof to provide breaking stories and background information for members -- who come cover residential and/or commercial real estate  -- while touring site specific examples of the latest national trends in home building, and the office, retail, and hospitality components of urban development," said Doyle-Kimball. 

NAREE choses a different conference city each year from New York to San Diego. Headliners such as Donald Trump, Gerald Hines, Rudolph Giuliani and former president Clinton have addressed the group and taken questions at prior conferences. NAREE has crossed the border to Mexico, attended Senate and White House news briefings, seen the devastation at Ground Zero in New York, and visited the International Home Furnishings marketing in High Point, NC among myriad other venues. 

Conference organizers also put on professional development seminars on topics ranging from blogging and podcasting to investigative reporting.  Last year's organizers  initiated an Authors' Roundtable.  Winners of the 57th Annual Real Estate Journalism Conference will also be awarded cash prizes totalling $7,000 during the signature conference banquet. Specifics regarding the 2007 conference are expected by year's end.  Look for early bird specials for conference registration and lodging.