Conference Program
Real Estate Connect NYC 2009, Jan 7, 2009 – Jan 9, 2009 • New York Marriott Marquis Times Square, New York
Wednesday, January 7
MAIN CONFERENCE
Wednesday, January 7, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Meet the Leaders: Network with Leaders and Innovators from Around the World
- Carter Murdoch, SVP, Marketing and Compliance Executive, Bank of America
- Alex Perriello, President and CEO, Realogy Franchise Group
- Spencer Rascoff, CFO and VP Marketing, Zillow.com
- Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist and Senior VP of Research, National Association of REALTORS
Wednesday, January 7, 2:30 pm – 2:45 pm
Real Estate 2009: What's Next for Real Estate?
The real estate market is undergoing a fundamental transformation. What will the market and the industry look like over the coming years.
- Bradley Inman, Founder and Publisher of Inman News
Wednesday, January 7, 2:45 pm – 3:15 pm
How the Internet Culture is Changing the U.S.
A conversation with Craig Newmark.
- Craig Newmark, customer service rep & founder, craigslist.org

Wednesday, January 7, 3:15 pm – 3:45 pm
Finding A Fix For the Housing Market.
We're still searching for solutions to the housing market. What is it going to take to turn things around?
- Robert Shiller, Co-founder of MacroMarkets LLC, Co-creator of the Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, and Professor of Economics, Yale University

Wednesday, January 7, 3:45 pm – 4:30 pm
Bulls vs. Bears: Where's the market going from here?
2008 was a abyssmal year for real estate. Is 2009 going to be any better? Hear from these leading market watchers.
- Carter Murdoch, SVP, Marketing and Compliance Executive, Bank of America
- Barry Ritholtz , Chief Market Strategist, Ritholtz Research & CEO; Director of Equity Research, Fusion IQ
- Noah Rosenblatt, Founder, UrbanDigs.com
- Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist and Senior VP of Research, National Association of REALTORS
Wednesday, January 7, 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
What to Expect from the Financial Markets in 2009.
With the economy in a tailspin, what does the future hold? An update from Wall Street and what it means for Main Street.
- Andrew Ross Sorkin, Founder and Editor of DealBook & Chief Reporter on Mergers and Acquisitions, The New York Times

Wednesday, January 7, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Cocktails@Connect
Wrap up the first day with free cocktails and time with colleagues and the industry elite at this informal gathering on the exhibit floor. Bring plenty of business cards and spend time socializing as you wind down or gear up for the night!
Thursday, January 8
MAIN CONFERENCE
Thursday, January 8, 8:30 am – 9:15 am
A New Look MLS - What's the MLS of the Future Going to Look Like?
Hear from 3 leaders debate the future of the MLS - is it to collaborate, consolidate or go straight to consumers.
- David Charron, President & CEO, MRIS
- Scott Kucirek, Co-Founder & Lead, ZipRealty & CalMLS
Thursday, January 8, 9:15 am – 10:00 am
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. What Does the Future Hold for the Brokerage, Title and Lending industries.
Old business models lie by the roadside of a cratered housing market. Hear new ways the industry can resuscitate their business to face the new challenges ahead.
- Alex Perriello, President and CEO, Realogy Franchise Group

Thursday, January 8, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
Building Your Personal Brand Online
- Gary Vaynerchuk, Founder & Director of Operations, WineLibrary.tv

Thursday, January 8, 10:30 am – 11:15 am
New Kids (and Ideas) on the Block: Innovators from Around the World
Listen to entrepreneurs explain how their ideas are going to change real estate in this fast-paced, exciting session.
- Janet Case, CEO, Proxio Inc.
- Greg Robertson, Partner, Dwellicious.com
- Richard Ollier, Founder, Giroptic
- Ivailo Jordanov, Founder, Retaggr.com
- Takahito Iguchi, CEO, TonchiDot
- Thomas Vogel, Co-Founder, ourbania GbR
Thursday, January 8, 11:15 am – 11:30 am
25 Web Sites To Help You Find Customers and Save Money in Downturn
- Jeff Tuner, Founder, Technosanity.com
Thursday, January 8, 11:30 am – 12:00 pm
The Hottest Real Estate Companies in the World: Tomorrow's Real Estate Brokerage, Today.
Who's breaking the mold right now? What tactics are they using to truly stand out on the world stage? Take away inspiration and ideas from some real global ground breakers.
- Sherry Chris, President & CEO, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC
- Andy Etches, Managing Director, BrightSale UK
- Glenn Cohen, Founder & CEO, Expert Realty
Thursday, January 8, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Meet the Leaders: Network with Leaders and Innovators from Around the World
- David Charron, President & CEO, MRIS
- Marty Frame, SVP & GM, Cyberhomes
- Dottie Herman, President & CEO, Prudential Douglas Elliman
- David Michonski, CEO & Chairman, Coldwell Banker Hunt Kennedy
- Jonathan Miller, Co-Founder, Miller Samuel Inc.
- Ashfaq Munshi, Founder & CEO, Terabitz, Inc.
- Ashley Rigg, Director, GlobalEdge.co.uk
- James J. Saccacio, CEO, RealtyTrac
- Michael Simonsen, CEO, Altos Research Corp.
Thursday, January 8, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Exhibit Hall Open
INNOVATION TRACKS
Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Savvy Agent/Broker Track: New Tactics to Thrive in a New World
Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
1. Share Your Listings to the World
Learn the secrets to syndication to bring new eyeballs to your listings and find new buyers from across the country and around the world.
Moderated by Daniel Rothamel, Realtor & Community Manager, Inman News
- Janet Choynowski, CEO, Immobel.com
- Yannick Laclau, Founder & CEO, Enormo.co
- Brendan Walsh, Advertising Director-Real Estate, Digital The New York Times Media Group
Thursday, January 8, 2:55 pm – 3:40 pm
2. Build a World Class Agent Web Site
Go beyond brochure-ware. Learn top-notch internet marketing tactics on what consumers want to find on your agent web site.
Moderated by Daniel Rothamel, Realtor & Community Manager, Inman News
- Brad Carroll, President & CEO, Dakno Real Estate Marketing
- Stephen Jagger, Co-Founder, Ubertor
- Dan Green, Loan Officer, Mobium Mortgage
- Jacky Teplitzky, Managing Director, Prudential Douglas Elliman
Thursday, January 8, 3:50 pm – 4:35 pm
3. Surviving Your First Down Market
Markets are cyclical and will eventually bounce back. Until they do however, you need to learn the strategies it takes to survive. Hear from 4 industry veterans on what it takes to survive, thrive and stay alive.
Moderated by Kris Berg, Broker Associate, Prudential California Realty
- Jeffrey Bastress, President, Startpoint Realty
- Ken Baris, President, Jordan Baris Realtors
Thursday, January 8, 4:35 pm – 5:00 pm
4. Breakout Discussion
Participate with the experts, get your views across, ask questions and debate the issues.
Moderated by Daniel Rothamel and Kris Berg.
Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
New Business Track: Capitalizing on New Opportunities
Moderated by Alison Rogers, Licensed Salesperson and Author of Diary of a Real Estate Rookie
Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
1. Clearing the Decks: Dealing With Foreclosures in your Market
Hear how you can get more business by helping buyers and sellers work with short sales, REOs and bank owned properties.
- Rick Sharga, Senior Vice President, RealtyTrac
- Sean O'Toole, Founder & CEO, ForeclosureRadar.com
Thursday, January 8, 2:55 pm – 3:40 pm
2. The Hottest Opportunities in International Real Estate
Tap into the international second home market, learn how to market to baby boomers, and get practical tips to take your business global.
- Stan Ponte, President, Previews Marketing Division, Coldwell Banker Hunt Kennedy
- Teresa King Kenney, CEO, Realtor Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches
- John Tuccillo, PhD., Founder, John Tuccillo and Associates, Inc
Thursday, January 8, 3:50 pm – 4:35 pm
3. Forming Global Partnerships and Earn Referral Business
Understand how to form partnerships and grow your business using transnational referrals, education, and technology. Learn who can you trust, understand the legal issues and make 1 plus 1 = 3.
- Thijs Stoffer, CEO, ICREA
- Miriam M. Lowe, VP International Operations, NAR
- Satbir Khanuja, CEO, Second Space
- Norm Flynn, CEO, International Real Property Foundation
Thursday, January 8, 4:35 pm – 5:00 pm
4. Breakout Discussion
Participate with the experts, get your views across, ask questions and debate the issues.
Moderated by Alison Rogers, Miriam M. Lowe and David Michonski.
Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Broker/Owner Breakout: Building The Lean, Mean and Profitable Real Estate Brokerage of the Future
(By invitation only) CLICK HERE to request invitation information.
Sponsored by:
Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
1. Nail Your Brokerage Web Site -- Getting It Right on the Internet
Your website desperately needs an update or tear down. But you’re locked into a relationship with a legacy vendor, don’t know whether to buy or build, and are confused by the endless stream of Web 2.0 apps and APIs. Hear from brokers who made the right changes in a case study session packed with practical takeaways.
Moderated by Marc Davison, Partner, 1000Watt Consulting
- James Cahill, Executive Vice President/Chief Information & Technology Officer at Terra Holdings, LLC
- Matthew Shadbolt, Director of Internet Marketing, The Corcoran Group
- Philip Kiracofe, Chief Technologist, Coldwell Banker Previews International
- Errol Samuelson, President, Realtor.com
Thursday, January 8, 2:55 pm – 3:40 pm
2. Scrub Your P&L
The broker business model is a mess. Companies are bleeding red. It’s time to rethink everything. Join 3 tough-as-nails brokers as they dissect a brokerage P&L and identify ideas and savings you can take home.
Moderated by Brian Boero, Partner, 1000Watt Consulting
- John Vatistas, Co-Chairman, Russ Lyon Realty Company
- Nicolai Kolding , COO, Better Homes and Garden Real Estate, LLC
Thursday, January 8, 3:50 pm – 4:35 pm
3. Seize New Markets
32% of agents did a deal with an overseas client in 2007. Within 20 years, 40% of home buyers will be Hispanic. Gen X and Gen Y buyers are eying property more than ever before. A group of leading thinkers will tell you how you can leap on these new opportunities and other in order to keep your business afloat.
Moderated by Brian Boero, Partner, 1000Watt Consulting
- Wendy Forsythe, VP, Broker Services and Product Development, Better Homes and Garden Real Estate LLC
- Sharon E. Michnay, Director of Corporate Business Development, Halstead Property
- Celeste Starchild, Vice President of Broker Sales, ThreeWide Corporation
- Becca Wilson, President & CEO, SphereXX.com
Thursday, January 8, 4:35 pm – 5:00 pm
4. Breakout Discussion
Participate with the experts, get your views across, ask questions and debate the issues.
Moderated by Brian Boero, Marc Davison and Sherry Chris.
Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
MLS Track: Revitalizing the MLS
Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
1. Should Your MLS Be in Front of Consumers?
What can an MLS do in a down market to help its members? Is building a public facing website the answer? Is it worth the investment but what about the tradeoffs? Hear from some MLSs have chosen to build world class consumer facing web sites and from the venture funded search sites who love to have the listings too.
Moderated by Michael Wurzer, President & CEO, FBS Data Systems
- Bob Hale, President and CEO, HAR
- Sami Inkinen, Co-Founder & COO, Trulia
- Cameron Paine, CEO, Connecticut MLS, Inc.
- Spencer Rascoff, CFO and VP Marketing, Zillow.com
Thursday, January 8, 2:55 pm – 3:40 pm
2. MLS Change: Collaboration or Consolidation?
A lively debate between industry leaders on the pros and cons of working together or standing alone. Who's should be in the driver's seat as we move towards regionalization? And which approach serves members best?
Moderated by Michael Wurzer, President & CEO, FBS Data Systems
- Jim Harrison, President and CEO, MLS Listings
- Joel Singer, President, Real Estate Business Services, CAR
- Joel Cohen, Vice President, IMAPP
Thursday, January 8, 3:50 pm – 4:35 pm
3. MLS 2014: 5 things to do right now to get ready
Top visionaries share the 5 things you must be aware of to best position your MLS for the next 5 years.
Moderated by Victor Lund, Partner, WAV Group
- Beverley Faull, General Manager & Senior Vice President, Fidelity National Information Services
- Mark Lesswing, Sr. Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, NAR
- Saul Klein, President & CEO, Internet Crusade / CEO, Point2 Technologies
- Brian Larson, Attorney at Law, Larson/Sobotka Business Advisors, LLC
Thursday, January 8, 4:35 pm – 5:00 pm
4. MLS Bill of Rights: What Members Should Expect from their MLS
Breakout Discussion -- Participate with the experts, get your views across, ask questions and debate the issues.
Moderated by Michael Wurzer and Cameron Paine
Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Technology Breakout: Building a Web Site or Service That Could Change the World
Thursday, January 8, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
1. Wake Up. Go Mobile.
Two billion plus handsets in use worldwide. Apple's iPhone launch put millions of smartphones in the hands of global citizens. This panel will look at how innovators around the globe are using the mobile web to connect with clients, customers and consumers.
Moderated by Dustin Luther, Founder, 4Realz Consulting
- Mark Ford, Founder & COO, Qwasi
- Brad Blumberg, Founder & CEO, SmarterAgent
- Ashfaq Munshi, Founder & CEO, Terabitz, Inc.
- Michael Smith, Founder & CEO, StreetEasy
Thursday, January 8, 2:55 pm – 3:40 pm
2. Down and Dirty Analytics
Understanding who your web visitors are and where they're coming from is key to delivering a successful user experience.
Moderated by Dustin Luther, Founder, 4Realz Consulting
- Ed Freyvogle, Co-Founder, Nestoria
- Marty Frame, SVP & GM, Cyberhomes
- Anita Gandhi, Director of Client Intelligence, Hitwise
Thursday, January 8, 3:50 pm – 4:35 pm
3. What's Next for Real Estate Search?
Is mapping old news? Find out how some of the industry leaders are pushing forward new innovations in the real estate search experience.
Moderated by Simon Baker, CEO of Property Portal Watch
- Jamie Glenn, Vice President, Product Management, Trulia.com
- Daniel Lee, PhD, CEO, Globrix
- Matthew Quinlan, Group Product Manager, Enterprise Mapping, Microsoft Corporation
Thursday, January 8, 4:35 pm – 5:00 pm
4. Go Beyond PPC - Leveraging Your Internal Resources to Build Real Search Engine Optimization.
Breakout Discussion -- Participate with the experts, get your views across, ask questions and debate the issues.
Moderated by Ashfaq Munshi and Joel Burslem.
Friday, January 9
MAIN CONFERENCE
Friday, January 9, 9:00 am – 9:45 am
Global Real Estate Update — What's Happening Around the World?
Join global market experts to get up to speed on the state of global real estate in this fast-paced, exciting session.
- Andreas Assum, Geschaeftsleitung Online Marketing, ImmobilienScout GmbH
- Boris Geheniau, Owner & Director, Fundament All Media
- Jayashree Kurup, Head Content & Research, Magicbricks.com
- Gonzalo Ortiz, Co-Founder & CEO, Globaliza.com
- Rina Plapler, Senior Executive Director, FutureBrand New York
Friday, January 9, 9:45 am – 10:30 am
Steering Your Business through a Downturn
Hear from America's top venture capitalists, in this frank conversation, on what their outlook is now that the whole world has changed.
- Jordan Levy, Partner, Softbank
- Fred Wilson, Venture Capitalist, Union Square Ventures

Friday, January 9, 10:30 am - 10:45 am
25 Global Real Estate Web Sites to Keep Your Eyes On
There are many low-cost places to market your listings around the world, the lightning-quick presentation will tell you where.
- Ashley Rigg, Director, GlobalEdge.co.uk
Friday, January 9, 10:45 am – 11:15 am
New Ways to Go Global
Listen to success stories from some of the nation's top brokers how they reached out to the world to find buyers for their properties.
- Dottie Herman, President & CEO, Prudential Douglas Elliman
- David Michonski, CEO & Chairman, Coldwell Banker Hunt Kennedy
- Richard Rector, President & CEO, Realty Executives
Friday, January 9, 11:15 am – 11:45 am
Crunching the Numbers To Find the Turnaround
What do national statistics mean to your local market? This panel of experts will explain to you how you can make sense of all the numbers.
- Terry Loebs, Managing Director, MacroMarkets LLC
- Jonathan Miller, Co-Founder, Miller Samuel Inc.
- Marc Siden, Co-Founder & CEO, Onboard Infomatics
- Michael Simonsen, CEO, Altos Research Corp.
- Leslie Appleton Young, Vice President & Chief Economist, California Association of REALTORS
Friday, January 9, 11:45 am – 12:00 pm
What Have We Learned
Friday, January 9, 12:00 pm
Program Ends

