NAREE’s Miami 2020 Conference Moves to September 23-26

President’s Notebook

Members to Connect at the Annual Conference and J Awards in the Fall and on Zoom in May

By Catie Dixon, Bisnow Managing Editor and NAREE President

June in Miami would’ve been nice. But after working from home for months, September in Miami will hopefully be even sweeter.

With the coronavirus pandemic continuing to shut down most of the U.S., the NAREE board has decided to postpone the annual conference by three months. The conference is remaining at the Kimpton Epic in Miami but will now be held Sept. 23-26, with the journalism awards ceremony the evening of Friday, Sept. 25. It is our keen desire to all get together this year, when it is safe and reasonable to do so, and we hope this new date will make it possible.

We are also granting our judges at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism an extension to process all of the journalism award entries — we had a record number of submissions this year, so competition is fierce! Our judges have been working hard to read everything, while learning how to hold classes remotely and juggle their home and professional lives simultaneously. We can relate. We will notify our winners in early August.

Meanwhile, we hope you’ll stay in touch with your peers through our new virtual roundtable series. My favorite parts of NAREE have always been the networking and professional development, the sense of camaraderie with fellow real estate reporters and editors that you just can’t get anywhere else. I always come away from NAREE events feeling more inspired and better equipped to be a better journalist. We are trying to capture some of that in our virtual roundtables. Please join us May 7 at 7 PM ET for our next installment, discussing story selection in a crowded news space.

If there’s any other way NAREE can support you now, please let me know.

Luxurious Kimpton Epic Miami Lowers Media Rate

Conference Registration and Hotel Reservations Available Online

By Mary Doyle-Kimball, NAREE Executive Director

In a nod to possible COVID-19 budget constraints, the Epic Kimpton has lowered the hotel’s media rate for NAREE’s conference from $149 to $139 per night with no resort fees. NAREE rates for industry associates remain at $169 with no resort fees. Both rate tiers include newly renovated luxury rooms on floors 18-30 with balconies and views of the city or the water, WiFi, morning coffee, gym and pool access. NAREE’s special room block is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. You can book now and cancel up to 72 hours prior with no cancellation fees. The Epic will offer NAREE rates on a space available basis, three days before and three days after the conference — which runs September 23-26. Reserve now so you can extend your stay. Normally, rates in this top-quality hotel are around $300 a night.

The stunning pool deck is on the 16th floor and has sweeping views of Miami’s ever-changing skyline. You’ll see everything from iconic architecture and the shimmering waters of Biscayne Bay to cranes in the sky. It’s a perfect place to wake up your day or unwind in the evening. Visit it every day at different times to relax and experience this truly inviting space. It’s actually better in person than on Instagram!

The family friendly and pet friendly Epic hotel is near Whole Foods, plenty of restaurants in every price range, and convenient to the Metromover and the free shuttle to various attractions like the Perez Art Museum Miami and the Frost Science Aquarium. Water taxis and boat rentals are nearby.

No Travel Budget but You Want to Come to the Conference?

Apply for the NAREE Bivins Travel Fellowship on NAREE.org. This fellowship is designed for journalists who need a financial travel partner to come to the the conference. NAREE offers the fellowship on a first, come first served basis, so apply now. All fellows can receive up to four nights at the Kimpton Epic during the conference only — extra nights before and after the conference are not included in the fellowship. The deadline to apply for the fellowship is September 1. NAREE has years of experience helping journalists make last-minute reservations and that might come in even handier this year for those who have lots of company hoops to jump. But even still, you can apply now while you’re waiting to get final approval.

Already Have a Reservation at the Epic and You Registered for the Conference?

NAREE is working with the hotel on a seamless transition from the original June reservations to the new September 23-26 conference dates. Your conference registration can be updated as well. We’ll be in touch shortly with options. Let us know if you have a schedule conflict and won’t be able come at all. NAREE will issue a full refund on conference registration, but please let us know by May 15. You can cancel your hotel reservations yourself without penalty, but we’re here to help if you run into a snag.

Association Headlines

NAREE E-News May 1, 2020