If there’s anyone who knows R4, it’s Pam Harris. The RE/MAX Senior Vice President of Customer Experience has been planning conventions and events for the global network for more than 20 years. This year, though, is the first time she’s ever planned a hybrid RE/MAX R4 convention.
R4, the annual RE/MAX convention known for its global attendance, unrivaled education and headline-grabbing entertainers, will be March 23-25, 2021, in Orlando, Florida. The hybrid event, dubbed R4 Your Way, features both in-person and virtual registration. According to Harris, this is the first year R4 will be able to reach everybody in the network – regardless of country of origin, language or income level.
“The 2021 R4 will be an experience we all remember,” Harris says. “Our goal is to deliver what we’ve always delivered: outstanding education, a world-class event, and all the tools, technology and everything else successful affiliates need to continue building their business. Everyone – those attending in Florida or those attending online – will feel the RE/MAX energy.”
For any RE/MAX affiliate who still has questions about the 2021 RE/MAX R4, Harris has all the answers. Let’s dive in.
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How different will the 2021 R4 be from past conventions?
We’re really excited to be hosting the first hybrid R4, meaning RE/MAX affiliates can register to attend virtually or in-person. Of course, in-person attendance is limited, so it won’t feel exactly like other R4 conventions. Here are a few of the main differences:
Here are a few of the main differences:
In-person attendees will be required to wear a mask at all times, unless eating or drinking, and to complete medical screenings and temperature checks.
Anyone attending a session must sign-up for that session in advance – and they’ll be scanned into the room; there’s no more running from room to room. One thing to note is that registrants will have a 5-minute grace period to arrive at their sessions. If they don’t show, others can be scanned in at that time, so it’s important to arrive on time for sessions.
Once inside, balloon stickers on the floor will help people stand six feet apart.
There will be an Approved Suppliers MarketPlace, but it’ll be much, much smaller than in years past. A lot of vendors won’t be there in person but will be on the virtual platform.
All registration kits – which include a badge, mask, hand sanitizer, ribbons and more –will be mailed to RE/MAX affiliates’ homes. There will be an on-site help desk, but no in-person registration.
How is RE/MAX making decisions regarding safety protocols?
We’re following CDC guidelines, which go above and beyond state guidelines. It’s important for in-person attendees to know and expect that.
Let’s talk virtual R4. What can online attendees – including international RE/MAX affiliates – expect from the experience?
We’re making history with this R4! It’s an opportunity for our entire network to be together, even though we’re not physically together. We’re live streaming the Opening General Session, so our RE/MAX friends around the world will be watching it in real time. And everything is being translated into 17 languages! Attending R4 typically requires someone to leave their business for a week, to get on a plane, to fly to a location – it’s a time commitment and a financial commitment. But for anyone who hasn’t been able to make it in the past, virtual attendance is a great way to attend for the first time.
Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey is a featured speaker this year. Why do you think it’s important RE/MAX affiliates hear from him?
Every single person, no matter where they are in the world, if they’re an independent contractor and in the midst of a pandemic, they’re thinking about their finances. They’re wondering ‘Do I save enough? Do I have enough? What’s it going to look like?’ And Dave Ramsey’s message on finance translates to every country – no matter what the currency is. When you’re talking about financial planning and the finances of your business and your life, the insight is relevant to everyone.
Who else are you looking forward to hearing speak at R4?
All attendees are going to hear from Dave Liniger, the RE/MAX Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board. He’ll be there in person, on stage, and addressing people on the virtual platform. Of course, we’ll hear from RE/MAX CEO Adam Contos and RE/MAX Chief Customer Officer Nick Bailey. Attendees will also hear from the best real estate coaches out there today: John Cheplak, Jared James, Judy LaDeur and more. They’ll all be live-streamed. Plus, in-person attendees will also hear Terry Watson, who’s a great speaker.
Education and networking are two of the biggest perks of attending R4. Can affiliates expect that in 2021?
My goal is for people to walk away from the 2021 R4 with learnings they can immediately implement into their business to help them be more successful. That’s the end game, always. Referrals can still happen, networking is still going to happen – there will be virtual breakout rooms and chat rooms with speakers and a two-hour virtual Global Referral Exchange. There’s so much opportunity available at R4 – for everybody attending virtually or in-person.
Be honest: Is there as much value in attending virtually as there is in-person?
YES! It’s two totally different experiences but with a lot of crossover. The Opening General Session and “Good Morning RE/MAX” both will be live-streamed for virtual attendees, and the Fun Night entertainment – this is huge – will also be shown live for virtual attendees. Virtual attendees won’t get all of the education on the platform that’s available in-person at R4, and in-person attendees won’t be seeing all the education that’s on the virtual platform in real-time. But the beautiful thing is, everybody has access to the virtual platform for 90 days after R4 ends. Plus, just like attending in-person, affiliates who qualify for Club Awards (100% Club and above) and Career Awards will receive their awards free of charge, except for shipping and handling fees.
Any tips for in-person attendees?
My advice for anyone attending in-person is to register for sessions in advance but be sure to bring a laptop. If a session is already full, it may be streaming or there may be something else they’re interested in on the virtual platform. They can watch what’s going on at any time. A lot of the commercial and luxury real estate content will be available online only – that’s a major plus for the virtual platform.
Who is performing at the private RE/MAX R4 Fun Night?
RE/MAX affiliates need to log in to MAX/Center to find out! I promise you the entertainer will not disappoint.
2021 RE/MAX R4
March 23-25| Register Today
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Written by KATHARINE DAVIS
