The BP hosts encourage the first one and some investors promote the latter. 

Many, if not most, of the promoters are not really real estate people and are prey to new investors who don't know the signs.

I could name one, but it would simply be shameless self-promotion

I am in the process of getting a promotion at work which will make me a Project Manager in what is basically my Agency's Commercial RE Department.

Within a few months you can certainly get yourself promoted and take on more responsibility.

I'll be working towards actively participating as an investor myself in the coming years and feel that being licensed and 'in the business' will only promote my potential to do so. 

@Jean Bolger  We are actually from CO and moved away for a job promotion...IN MINNESOTA. 

In these areas, I go to all the Broker open houses, meet with other agents, visit the weekend open houses, and also spend some ad bucks promoting my name on Z, for example for a couple of the zip codes I am focusing on.

This motivates the PM to perform and promote the availability.

I marketed and promoted to new prospective dealerships to use us, and mended relationships with dealerships who had issues with us.