I had a great time in Las Vegas over the weekend and early this week attending the AREAA 2012 Convention. NAWRB co-sponsored The Short Sale Social, and I was able to partner with Renee Smith again. It is so great to have a network of amazing professionals, Ivy Melton, another NAWRB member, joined too! Next week is the WCR State Meeting and C.A.R. Expo, both being held in Anaheim, CA. I am trying to take to make the most of the events and having so many real estate professionals in the local area. NAWRB has put together another Ready, Set, Certify! event on 10/2. Hosted at the NAWRB office in Irvine at 6:00 pm PST, this session will answer your questions about business certification and much more!  Join NAWRB staff and member experts at this session, specifically designed for women business owners who want to know how certification fits in the overall picture to drum up revenue. And learn from our special SBA guest, Stephen Leung- Lender Relations Specialist, about small business loans to help you get through the crunch. To learn more about this event, please click here. 

I have arrived in Las Vegas to attend another real estate conference and networking opportunity. The 2012 AREAA National Convention is the largest turnout ever, hosting 1,200 attendees. Our Communications Coordinator for NAWRB, Crescent Seward, is also traveling with me during this trip. Tonight is the Short Sale Social I have been planning with Renee Smith. She has done such a great job putting this event together, NAWRB is more than happy to co-sponsor. I will be onsite and participating in this event along with other industry professionals. If you are attending AREAA 2012 or a Las Vegas native and want to learn more about short sales, please join us! To learn more about this event, please click here. 

Will you be attending the AREAA 2012 Conference in Las Vegas this coming week? I will be there and I am looking forward to another great real estate conference. I have had lots of success during past ones, and I feel this one will be just as great. I am traveling with the Short Sale Guru and dear friend, Renee Smith. If you are a resident of Las Vegas or will be in town on 9/24, please RSVP for our Short Sale Social. The first 30 RSVP's will receive an autographed book from Renee! Hope to see you all there! Learn more by clicking on the image to the left.  

I am so excited to have an open house and host the next Ready, Set, Certify! event at the NAWRB office in Irvine. I have planned to host the event on October 2, starting at 6:00pm. I will be speaking at the WCR State Meeting in Anaheim on 9/30-10/1 and also speaking at the C.A.R. Expo on 10/3-10/4, also in Anaheim. I felt that hosting the event right in the middle of the two events will be a great way to conclude WCR and start of C.A.R. I hope you all can make it and I look forward to seeing you all!

A little more about the Ready, Set, Certify! event on 10/2:

This informative event is specifically designed for women business owners who want to know how certification fits in the overall picture to drum up revenue. Experts are available to teach you about how to diversify your business using certification, help with the application process, and post certification tips. Qualified NAWRB members have the opportunity to bring their certification packets for on-site review. You can also earn more visibility by telling your story as a certified, diverse, life-experienced women business owner. To learn about this event, click here.  

I am ecstatic to announce my award presented to me by HousingWire Magazine. The annual Influential Women issue came out this month, and I was nominated as a recipient! I am categorized amongst other women innovators, entrepreneurs and trailblazers in the housing industry. My 20+ years of real estate experience, N Magazine and NAWRB community efforts are highlighted for this award. NAWRB's Community Enhancement Program is something I have put a lot of blood, sweat, tears into, and I feel so rewarded when giving back to the community. Regardless, I could not achieved this status and credit my fellow NAWRB team members along with NAWRB members. Also, it wouldn't be the same without those who sponsor and support NAWRB's mission. To read the full article about my award, click here. 

I had a great time at the Five Star Conference last week, and more so speaking on the panel on Friday morning. I was able to participate on the panel, Other Side Of The Coin, during the Five Star Conference. It was so educational being on the same panel as the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae account chiefs, along with other professionals. I was able to represent the brokers and share my, "It's not personal, it's business" mentality. Overall, it was a great experience and I am looking for 

My time at the Five Star Conference has been well spent and I am enjoying every minute of it. From the academics schedule to the blackouts and fire drills, each day is an adventure and a learning experience. This morning I spoke on The Other Side Of The Coin panel, which talked about the reimbursement process. Both servicers and agents were present to share their expertise, and I'm glad I was included! Also, #ReadySetCertify was this morning and such a success. Back by popular demand, NAWRB hosted another session to educate business owners, especially women, how certification can benefit their business. I am looking forward to going home and enjoying my weekend, but will be looking forward to hearing Bill Clinton speak tonight at the Five Star Conference. 

I am very excited for the last two days, which have been very successful during the Five Star Conference. I spent most of yesterday networking and exploring the different areas of the Five Star Conference. Boy, is the Dallas Hilton huge! I had a great time watching members from NAWRB participating on panels and acting as moderators. It gives me such excitement to see women supporting each other and helping each other advance. Tomorrow will be a very busy day before I head home to Orange County. I will start the morning speaking on the Other Side of the Coin panel which talks about the reimbursement process. I will share my expertise about what works best to expedite this rigorous process. Also, the #ReadySetCertify event will begin tomorrow morning at 10am. I am very excited to host this event and educate women about the benefits of certifying your business. To sign up for #ReadySetCertify, click here.  

After a late flight and landing, I have arrived in Dallas, TX for the Five Star Conference. I am very excited to attend one of the biggest real estate industry conferences. I always get excited about catching up with old friends and making new ones during this time. Cade Holleman, Executive Director of NAWRB, is also traveling with me. I will be speaking on a panel Friday, "The Other Side of the Coin", and encourage you to attend. Also, NAWRB will be stationed at booth 232 in the Great Connection Exhibition Hall. Do you have plans on Friday morning or pre-scheduled for a session? If not, join NAWRB for the popular #ReadySetCertify event at 10am. For more info, click here or tweet me @DesireePatno.