Real estate stagers from Canada to Florida headed to Houston on June 2nd, for the StagersLIST Expo held at Cort Furniture Rental and coordinated by Cindy Bryant of Redesign Etc.
The local staging summit gave real estate stagers an opportunity to increase their business and marketing knowledge. Expos are being held around the country in 2009 in an effort to help stagers exchange information, connect with one another and grow their businesses.
"The StagersLIST Expo in Houston was a great opportunity to learn from stars in our industry about ways to take my business to the next level,“ Dallas stager Nancy Robertson of Signature Style Staging said. “I walked away with several ‘ah ha’ moments and ideas for increasing business and enhancing the service I provide to my clients.”
Speakers Terrylynn Fisher, Kim Hough, and Christine Rae provided clarity and a depth of knowledge about the business that was informative, interesting and laced with a good bit of humor.
Ashley Whittenberger, Cindy Bryant, Terrylynn Fisher and Karen Otto
Fisher has been a realtor in California for over 30 years and is a strong advocate of staging. She is the first realtor to receive the Live Smart, Live Green Designation. Her presentation on demystifying the realtor was a highlight of the Expo.
Kym Hough is the owner of www.Staged-to-Sell.com, located in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. She spoke on growing a profitable business and gave insights into how stagers can build multiple revenue streams.
Christine Rae, co-author of Home Staging for Dummies, was the keynote speaker. Rae is a leader in the home staging field and President of Canadian Staging Professionals. She is recognized in the staging industry for her development of the Certified Staging Professionals program. Her continuing education programs include EcoStaging, Luxury Home Staging, Senior Move Management and Realtor Elite. She spoke on “Understanding Communication Styles to Overcome Objections”.
Christine Rae
Afternoon workshop sessions were packed with information. Entrepreneur Ashley Whittenberger presented “Triple Your Revenue Streams Through Window Coverings”. A workshop on The Dewey Color Program was taught by Margarett DeGange, Executive Director of the Decorators Alliance of North America, and included tips on solving property challenges and attracting buyers with color. “Out of the Box Relationship Opportunities” was presented by James Allen, Vice President, of Business Development in the Central Region for Bekins Van Lines. He shared market penetration strategies and techniques.
Chris Fisher with StagersList Websites shed insight into the web, covering search engine optimization, websites and blogging.
Event sponsors included StagersLIST, Certified Staging Professionals ,The Real Estate Staging Association, Cort Furniture Rental, Interiority Complex, Bekins, The Plant Atrium and ezBouquet.
“The Expo was a great unity building event,” Karen Otto of Home Star Staging said. “I went away with a feeling that we're building momentum for home staging professionals nationally to be finally accepted as a standard in the real estate arena.”
Comments
I know some of these people doing these expos and they really know their stuff.
Great information and article Karen. I'm proud to be a part of the growing community of home stagers here in Dallas,TX (and nationally) who are passionate about helping home sellers maximize their results. Home staging is another marketing tool in a home seller's arsenol.
Wonderful information, make me sorry I missed the expo.
As an agent with Keller Williams Realty Brainerd Lakes I am well aware of the difference that excellent staging can make in marketing a property. If all things are relatively equal the staged property will show better, sell faster and for more money. My last 3 properties sold in under 30 days, in 4 days and in the same day as listed. Do not leave staging out of the equation. I am a proud charter member of the Real Estate Staging Assoc.
As a participant and friend of the organizers i have to say the effort and quality of information which goes into these events are amazing. People who are serious about staying in staging business need to support and attend. The information is vital, current, uplifting, inspiring, motivating and fabulous value
Even if you're not a professional stager, this info is valuable. Thanks Karen for another informative article.
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