Hear From Ken Ashley, The Founder Of The CREi Summit, On How It Will Help Grow Your Business
1) What made you launch the CREI Summit
Well, we started the Commercial Real Estate Influencer list to recognize commercial real estate brokers that are doing exceptional things on social media. During the pandemic, we were of course all isolated.
Coy Davidson was the first person to suggest that we should convene those interested in social media and commercial real estate in person. we pulled together a team of amazing volunteers and made the meeting happen.
What I along with I think many others discovered is that convening around a shared purpose and passion is not only fun but incredibly productive. Iron sharpens iron and getting smart people on any subject together in a room will make everyone better.
2) How did you choose the influencers to invite
Well, technically anyone can buy a ticket to this event as it’s not restricted. However, the targeted audience would be first commercial real estate brokers. You don’t have to have a huge following or even any real presence on social media. Just an appetite to learn and build relationships. Other groups attending include marketing professionals who support this space, journalists who cover commercial real estate, and success coaches focused on commercial real estate.
3) Is the summit something you plan on going large scale or keeping it at a limited number of attendees
We will just have to see where this goes. I think many enjoy the small collegial nature of our gatherings. However, if there is significant interest, we don’t want to be exclusionary.
I personally think that as our industry realizes that marketing has changed in a post-pandemic world that more and more people will take notice of the efforts of this small but mighty band of people.
4) Can you give us a success story from your last CREi Summit?
well, one success story is even having the meeting. We announced the 2021 summit when we were still in the middle of COVID. As we got closer we faced other obstacles including forest fires in the area that threatened to cancel our meeting.
I have seen a number of people start new marketing initiatives from ideas presented at the last Summit. And oh the relationships! Most people in commercial real estate are pretty friendly, to begin with, period but it is next-level stuff to see friendships formed with people who are in different areas of the country (or the world) and at different shops.
5) What should a new attendee expect for key take-aways
I think takeaways will come in three different areas. First there will be a buffet of ideas and you can grab two or three or even four things and take them back and implement them in your own practice. I expect that you’ll see direct improvement of your brand and thought leadership in your marketplace as a result of participation in the Summit.
Secondly, while the direct purpose of the event is more educational we do see that relationships are formed that lead to transactions and deals. By its very nature when you put a bunch of commercial real estate service providers in the same room transactions happen!
Thirdly, you can certainly expect to make new significant relationships with people that are in the room. I think you’ll walk away with a real sense of extremely current information about what is going on and this space and new friends to support guide and encourage you along the way.
Something to keep in mind is there are no other places to go to learn the skill of influence and thought leadership at this level. You really can’t go to a Community College or certainly an online course and learn what you will learn in New Orleans. Attendees will hear the latest strategies and tactics in real-time!
