MONDAY, OCTOBER 2

9:00AM - 10:00AM (Monday)

Understanding Savannah’s Urban and Architectural Identity | Robin B. Williams, Ph.D.,  Architectural and Urban Historian, Savannah

SESSION DESCRIPTION:  Savannah possesses one of the most distinctive and celebrated urban environments in the United States. Founded in 1733 as an experimental utopian community, it was laid out with a unique urban plan that fostered equality through a series of six identical neighborhoods each centered on a square. Although the social engineering experiment soon failed, the plan was retained and, between the 1790s and 1850s, expanded to have 24 squares and encouraged the important role of landscape design. While the city’s architecture followed building types, stylistic and technological trends from elsewhere, the urban plan shaped the city’s buildings in distinctive ways. Together green spaces, streets, street trees, buildings, and monuments harmonize in a more symphonic way than in most other American cities.

SPEAKER BIO:   Robin B. Williams chairs the Architectural History department at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). He earned his Ph.D. in Art History at the University of Pennsylvania with a dissertation examining the transformation of Rome into the capital of modern Italy during the late nineteenth century. Since joining SCAD in 1993, Williams has made Savannah the focus of his research. He was the lead author of the architectural guidebook, Buildings of Savannah (2016), and he is co-author of a forthcoming book, Learning from Savannah, being published by the University of Georgia Press, that analyzes the evolution of Savannah’s famous urban plan and its influence on the city’s architecture and what lessons the city holds for other places. Separately, Williams has an on-going study of the evolution of street and sidewalk pavement in cities across North America, which he has addressed in articles, academic and public talks, including a TEDx talk in May 2017, and through his website, “historicpavement.com”. Williams actively participates in the civic arena, serving on local, state, and national boards.

10:00AM - 11:00AM (Monday)

How Customers Find You Online: Google Business Profiles, Ads, and SEO | G. William James, G. William James Consulting Group, LLC

SESSION DESCRIPTION:   To many real estate buyers, a simple Google search is how they begin their quest for homes for sale and for Agents to represent them. When potential customers conduct these searches, what is the probability they will find you?William James will discuss how to increase your chances of being discovered by customers using Google's search tools, on Google Maps, and more. He will also address the pros and cons of using Google Ads, and if Ads is a good investment for you.

SPEAKER BIO:  William James, for more than 20 years, has been a most sought-after speaker on the subject of technology solutions for Realtors, particularly Google apps for real estate. He is certified by Google on various applications on their platform, including Google Ads and SEO. Mr. James, a licensed REALTOR, has presented his workshop “The Google Universe” to thousands of Real estate professionals both nationwide and internationally, including the NAR conference and Expo, and several state conventions. A native of Chicago, Illinois, Mr. James now resides in Atlanta, GA, with his family.

11:00AM - 12:00PM (Monday)

Evolution of Flood Insurance | Jeffrey Brady, Rountree and Brady Insurance Agency

SPEAKER BIO:  Jeff Brady is a partner with Rountree Brady Insurance Agency and has been with the firm for over 18 years. He specializes in Personal and Small Business property and casualty insurance. He has over 20 years of experience in financial services including banking, investments, and insurance. His experience has allowed him to provide a wide array of information and guidance to many families and small businesses in Georgia and South Carolina.

Jeff is currently the CRS Flood Insurance Advocate for the City of Savannah and Unincorporated Chatham County. Jeff serves on the Coastal Empire Resiliency Network (CERN), part of the Southeast Georgia CRS Users Group, and the flood plain mitigation committees of Chatham County and City of Savannah. He has completed the requirements for the designation of ANFI (Associate in National Flood Insurance), which is the only nationally recognized flood insurance designation.

Over the last few years, Jeff has engaged the local Real Estate community through the Savannah Area Board of Realtors with continuing education courses on the details and impact of the evolving state of flood insurance and the impacts to the Real Estate Market.

1:00PM -  2:00PM (Monday)

Preparing Your Buyer for Closing and the Importance of Title Insurance | Christopher R. Lane, Weiner Shearouse Weitz Greenberg & Shawe

SPEAKER BIO:   A native Georgian with deep family ties to Coastal Georgia, Mr. Lane deals with matters from the acquisition, financing, and disposition of real estate.

His practice areas include residential real estate, commercial real estate, estate law, and community associations. Mr. Lane routinely represents buyers, sellers, lenders, landlords, tenants, builders, and homeowner associations, and his expertise includes managing transactional matters ranging from the clearance of title and contract review to complex commercial projects. During his career, his transactions include the acquisition, financing, development, and disposition of land for residential and retail purposes; acquisition, financing, and disposition of lifestyle centers; and the acquisition, financing, and disposition of office buildings and regional medical centers.

Mr. Lane is a member of the American Bar Association, the Federalist Society, the Women’s Council of Realtors, and Phi Delta Phi. He serves as counsel to Savannah Area REALTORS, Hinesville Board of REALTORS. and outside general counsel for Leading the Way with Dr. Michael Youssef. Mr. Lane is active in the leadership of The Mortgage Bankers Association of Georgia (MBAG) and is a former Associate Member of the Year for the association. Mr. Lane is an active member of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. In his spare time, Mr. Lane enjoys spending time with his wife and boy/girl twins, occasionally fishing, completing CrossFit style workouts, and competing in endurance events.

2:00PM  -  3:00PM (Monday)

Panel Discussion:  The Ups & Downs of Working in this Market | Facilitator:  Rich Rosa

SESSION DESCRIPTION:   During this discussion, we will be sharing ideas and reflections on how we are working in this current market of higher interest rates and lower inventory. How are we using our time and resources to make the most of the market and support our buyers? 

SPEAKER BIO: In 2005, Rich Rosa co-founded Buyers Brokers Only, LLC, which has helped consumers purchase more than 2,000 properties and $1 billion in real estate. The company exclusively represents homebuyers in Greater Boston, Cape Cod, Southern New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. 

 

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3

9:00AM  - 10:00AM (Tuesday)

Savannah’s Long History of Preservation | Robin B. Williams, Ph.D., Architectural and Urban Historian, Savannah

SESSION DESCRIPTON:   French writer Bernard-Henri Levy described Savannah as “a rare but all the more precious case of metrophilia, or city-love, in America.” The spirit of metrophilia nurtured an early respect for the city’s heritage, initially motivating the preservation and expansion of the colonial town plan, the establishment of historical organizations to preserve and celebrate Savannah’s history, and the bold initiative of its citizens to negotiate a peaceful surrender of the city during the Civil War. In the 20th century, Savannahians actively fought against the threats posed by automobiles, commerce, and suburbanization that decimated so many American downtowns. Organized historic preservation efforts began in the 1950s led by the Historic Savannah Foundation, which focused on saving historic houses. The pioneering restoration of the waterfront in the mid-1970s illustrated government leadership. Larger institutional buildings found new life starting in 1979 with the Savannah College of Art and Design, which has repurposed about 80 buildings across the city. More recently, the hospitality industry has spearheaded the creative reuse of heritage buildings.

SPEAKER BIO:   Robin B. Williams chairs the Architectural History department at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). He earned his Ph.D. in Art History at the University of Pennsylvania with a dissertation examining the transformation of Rome into the capital of modern Italy during the late nineteenth century. Since joining SCAD in 1993, Williams has made Savannah the focus of his research. He was the lead author of the architectural guidebook, Buildings of Savannah (2016), and he is co-author of a forthcoming book, Learning from Savannah, being published by the University of Georgia Press, that analyzes the evolution of Savannah’s famous urban plan and its influence on the city’s architecture and what lessons the city holds for other places. Separately, Williams has an on-going study of the evolution of street and sidewalk pavement in cities across North America, which he has addressed in articles, academic and public talks, including a TEDx talk in May 2017, and through his website, “historicpavement.com”. Williams actively participates in the civic arena, serving on local, state, and national boards.

10:00AM - 11:00AM (Tuesday)

Adapting to the Ever-Changing Digital Marketing Landscape | Brian Brewer, Brewer Marketing Group

SESSION DESCRIPTION:  In this session, we will cover the following:

The Impacts of AI on Real Estate Marketing

* The growing role of AI in digital marketing
* Chatbots, predictive analytics, and personalized content
* Impact on SEO for real estate websites
* AI-driven content creation and optimization - an “arms race”

Standing Out in a Crowded Field

* The importance of focus: 30 seconds before a new site visitor “bounces”

* How can you best convey what you do, how you do it, why you’re better than another agent - especially a listing agent/brokerage

SPEAKER BIO:   Brian is the founder and principal consultant of Brewer Marketing Group. BMG has been providing marketing services to small and privately held businesses since 2007. BMG has built hundreds of business websites spanning a wide range of business types and industries, including both e-commerce and traditional retail, professional services such as law firms, physician practices, architectural firms, commercial contractors, manufacturing companies, real estate brokerage firms, marine manufacturers, storage facilities, marinas, bars & restaurants, automotive and marine dealerships, and business and financial consultants.

Before starting BMG, Brian spent over twenty years in marketing, sales, and sales support/engineering for technology-based companies. Brian was the Chief Marketing Officer for the Business unit of MCI Communications, at the time one of the world's largest telecommunications companies.

Brian is a University of Tennessee graduate with an MBA from Georgia State University.

11:00AM -  12:00PM  (Tuesday)

Making the New Lead System Work | Rich Harty

SESSION DESCRIPTION:  The new lead system has multiple options for tracking activity and reporting. During this session, we will review how to use the system to your advantage and keep the reporting process on track.

SPEAKER BIO: Rich is an exclusive buyer agent serving Chicago and the surrounding suburbs since 2009. He is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, with Business degrees in Marketing and Communication. Since 1990 he has partnered with his brother John in their residential construction management company. Together they build one-of-a-kind custom homes in Chicago's northern suburbs. He is a LEED-AP, specializing in environmentally friendly design and sustainability. Rich has learned the art of partnering with local and national media to maximize exposure of the real estate brokerage and construction management firm as has been featured in magazines such as Luxe and Traditional Home. He is currently serving as NAEBA's immediate past president and has served in several other board positions since joining NAEBA in 2010.

SESSION DESCRIPTION:  Come prepared to share your ideas and input during this interactive conversation around our business model and the opportunities to help our clients while we make a living.

SPEAKER BIO:   Broker/Owner Andrea (Andi) DeFelice, began her career in Real Estate in 1993. She and her mother, Carolyn, formed Exclusive Buyer's Realty as serve as the only EBA in the Savannah GA market. Andi has served as the President of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (NAEBA) She is an active member of the Savannah Board of Realtors and holds the Accredited Buyer’s Representative designation. When not working Andi enjoys cooking, motorcycling with her husband, discovering new eateries around town and travel.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4

10:00AM  -  11:00AM (Wednesday)

Retirement Planning in Today's World:  Strategies for Business Owners  |  Wendy Wallace, Lighthouse Financial Group, LLC

SESSION DESCRIPTION:  Retirement and financial planning is not what it once was. The distribution phase of retirement, financial, and tax planning is very different from the accumulation process of investing and saving. There are a few key financial decisions that can help you potentially increase your retirement income. Come learn about how you can design the strategy that fits for you.

SPEAKER BIO:  Wendy's primary focus is to help clients enhance and preserve their wealth and estates. With over 20 years of experience, she provides financial advice tailored to the individual needs of her clients. Her main goal is to help her clients feel more confident during their retirement years.

 Originally from England, Wendy grew up in Atlanta. She has two children, Jacob and Moya, and three grandchildren, Kevin, Julius and Maya. Wendy lives on Wilmington Island and enjoys reading, boating, vacationing, and spending time with her family.

SESSION DESCRIPTION:  This conversation will center around the communication activities we engage in with all the key stakeholders involved in a transaction. How we navigate communications with discount brokers and "click to list" options is just one example we will explore. Bring your examples and we will all learn together.

SPEAKER BIO:  Rich is an exclusive buyer agent serving Chicago and the surrounding suburbs since 2009. He is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, with Business degrees in Marketing and Communication. Since 1990 he has partnered with his brother John in their residential construction management company. Together they build one-of-a-kind custom homes in Chicago's northern suburbs. He is a LEED-AP, specializing in environmentally friendly design and sustainability. Rich has learned the art of partnering with local and national media to maximize exposure of the real estate brokerage and construction management firm as has been featured in magazines such as Luxe and Traditional Home. He is currently serving as NAEBA's immediate past president and has served in several other board positions since joining NAEBA in 2010.