Quote from @Dan H.:
I liked the reduced crowds more intimate event than especially last year’s event. Orlando had way too many people for me. San Diego was bigger than this year, but a good size.
I felt this year was the most unorganized conference I have been to. The cevent app at the previous 2 BPcons was better than the plethora of means to get information. Also the email distribution was flawed. My wife was getting emails that I was not and vice versa. I attended the highest signed up Sunday workshop. Only a dozen or so made it to the workshop which was without doing the math around 15% of those who had paid for it. It was nice to have a virtually private workshop with 3 experts, but I am certain most people who paid wanted to attend. I suspect poor communication was a reason that such a low percentage of people who paid $300 atrended (in San Diego I attended the STR workshop and room was full - this syndication workshop we sat around one table).
I have heard Codie present and she is as good as you indicate but not an RE person. one of her lines is something like there are a lot of millionaire RE investors but not a lot of billionaire RE investors and I want to be a billionaire. Lauren predictions per her data make her worth listening to but 1) again not a RE expert 2) was significantly more entertaining and funny when she presented at pervious BPCon (I think it was BPCon2022 in San Diego). I really have enjoyed @david Greene keynotes in the past (his market is similar to mine so we have similar mindset) but I suspect that may not happen again (he was at the BPCon). I would like at least a majority of the keynote presenters to be RE related presenters.
I got more from the scheduled targeted guided networking events than I expected, but these are usually additional subject presentations. Not sure of my preference Just different.
No one can predict storms, but if you schedule in hurricane season you have better chance of hurricane than if you schedule outside hurricane season. Also while BP pivoted well, the restaurants could not. The restaurant I initially went to was accepting no walk ups. Of course when an event was planned with food, why would I make a reservation? When they cancelled the BP social event, combined with the resort closing early (9pm) to get employees home safely (both understandable) it created restaurant impacts.
I had two different somewhat severe room issues. One they fixed (AC not working), the other they got to a barely acceptable state (hot water and pressure).
My favorite part related to the conference was on shuttle to the airport. @Scott Trench introduced himself to my wife as Scott a BP employee (was he trying to be modest or be incognito). She did not recognize him. In fairness to her, he was not looking like CEO material. I was back a few rows in the shuttle and she asked me if I knew Scott who worked at BP. I said he more than works at BP (I did not say he was CEO). That is when 2 others recognized him; he may have gone incognito if wife had not asked if I knew Scott who worked at BP. He thanked me for my bp contributions as he exited the shuttle. all my interactions with Scott have been positive (forums and in person).
Final item is as is traditional they announced location of next BPCon after final keynote. BPCon2025 is in Las Vegas (@jay Hinrichs). Jay has advocated for Vegas. It certainly is a destination.
It may seem like this post has a lot of complaint but this was my favorite BPCon. I really liked the smaller size. I liked the targeted networking sessions. I fear Las Vegas will be similar to the size or BP2023 in Orlando. Wife has already indicated that she may not attend.
I really recommend everyone working RE or wanting to work RE should attend at least one BPCon. They are motivational, informative, crazy networking opportunity, and fun.
I plan to be at BPCon2025. It is 5 or 6 hour drive from my house. Hope to see some of you there.
Thanks for your feedback, Dan, and we're glad we'll see you again in Vegas at BPCON2025!
We were thankful to be able to pivot quickly and move the opening and closing events indoors (and even have to extend the closing event because of a jam-packed dance floor and people asking for an encore!), and while canceling the networking continental breakfast on Tuesday morning was a difficult decision, we felt it was the right thing to do considering the storm and wanting the resort staff to be safe. Luckily, Cancun missed any major weather event and a little rain didn't stop us from having a great time, including not having to cancel any of the 3 conference evening events! I hope you were able to soak up some sunshine before the clouds rolled in!
While we couldn't use Cvent this year because of housing management needs with booking rooms, I can promise you there will be a networking-focused app next year!
For those who are curious, we're booked out through 2027 (all in early October), and all BPCONs will be in the US.
