The Difference between 2004 and 2011. Plus”Broker of the Year” Coming to T.R.A.F.F.I.C. 2012

Morning Folks!!


The single biggest request at T.R.A.F.F.I.C. last week was to create an award for 'Broker of the Year.' I agree and I am announcing that in 2012, this will be a new category we will include.


Now let me articulate the difference between T.R.A.F.F.I.C. 2004 and T.R.A.F.F.I.C. 2011, 2012 and beyond. The #1 difference is that in 2004 when we had meals, we had 100% of the folks in attendance come and we as an industry were able to move things collectively as well as independently.


Fast forward to the way things work now compared to then. Today when we have 330 some attendees, we NEVER had more than 200-225 in one place at one time. I am not saying good or bad. Just pointing out the different dynamics and why they exist.


In 2004 people came to meet for the very first time in most cases. Today attendees have meetings lined up from morning to night. Folks are scheduled and sometimes that schedule does not allow us to all be together.


It would be good if we could have just one session or one meal that everyone was in attendance. I don't think that is likely to happen, but that does not mean it is not needed. It is. It changes the dynamics.


That said we can't control, nor to be want to control how you use your time at T.R.A.F.F.I.C. That is entirely up to you. But I do want to say what I said and maybe there is a way to achieve both. Maybe a way to add even more value to T.R.A.F.F.I.C. by putting back a very important piece of the puzzle now that I have identified it for folks to think about.


Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz