[California REALTOR® EXPO]

Green Risings and The Rise of the Machine

Two forces are shaping real estate in very different ways: technology and green design. This year’s CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO 2008 and Tech Tuesday will feature two very different and unrelated Eds who will put these disparate topics into context.

Ed Begley Jr., actor, director, and perhaps one of Hollywood’s biggest advocates for green and sustainable living issues, will be a guest speaker at this year’s EXPO. His keynote session "Sustainable Lives: The Benefits of Greening Your Workplace and Your Home" is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

In addition, Ed Dilworth, CEO, Nimblefish Technologies, will present "The Rise of the Machine: How Technology Is Changing the Buying and Selling of Real Estate" at this year’s Tech Tuesday Luncheon. A senior marketing and advertising executive, Dilworth will help you understand the implications of how the Web, mobile communications devices, prospect/contact management software programs, intranets, global positioning systems, and social media platforms are all feeding the evolution of today’s real estate market.

CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO 2008 draws thousands of California’s key franchise execs, top producers, and vendors every year for educational, networking, and professional development opportunities. Tech Tuesday, a special pre-EXPO event, features a full day of comprehensive and hands-on training geared toward assisting today’s REALTOR®.

What You Need to Know:

> California REALTOR® EXPO 2008 will be held in Long Beach Oct. 14 to 16, at the Long Beach Convention Center. Although EXPO is free to C.A.R. members, registration is required; the cost for non-members is $125.

> Tech Tuesday is held Oct. 14. Registration is required to attend Tech Tuesday. Pre-registration for Tech Tuesday only is $85 ($140 with a luncheon ticket) for members and $125 ($180 with a luncheon ticket) for non-members.

To register, visit www.realtorexpo.org.

C.A.R. Online

Test Your Green Awareness

C.A.R. has posted an online survey for REALTORS® to test their green awareness as part of the Association’s Green Task Force objective to raise member awareness about environmental issues. To access the survey, visit the Home Page of www.car.org or click: www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=c9SVWszOzoHpsdksLiiKsg_3d_3d .

C.A.R. Launches Green Blog

In addition, C.A.R. has launched a Green Blog, where members can discuss green-related topics. The blog is located on the home page of www.car.org. The forum is open to all C.A.R. members.

TALK BACK! We’d love to hear your comments about this issue and the types of articles and subjects that you’d like to read in upcoming issues: Send them to paulah@car.org.

Newscan

B of A and C.A.R. Team Up

>> Bank of America, the nation’s largest independent credit card issuer, has joined C.A.R.’s Member Advantage Program and, as part of this partnership, the firm will issue credit cards with the C.A.R. endorsement.

The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Platinum Plus MasterCard® card program offers the WorldPoints™ rewards card with no annual fee and zero introductory APR on balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles. The credit card will allow members to earn one point for every net dollar in retail purchases made with the card. These points can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, and unlimited cash rewards, with easy online redemption available. Only the WorldPoints™ card will provide C.A.R. members the freedom to choose so much, so easily, while displaying the C.A.R. logo and telling the world you’re a REALTOR®.

Bank of America will offer C.A.R. cardholders access to their secure account online, the use of electronic bill payment service, or the ability to speak to a personal customer assistant 24/7. C.A.R. members can learn more and apply by visiting the member benefits section of the Member Center on C.A.R’s Web site, www.car.org or by calling (800) 932-2775.