A few weeks ago, I was at a real estate event in Phoenix.
What started as a casual 3 minute conversation off to the side of the room ended up completely changing the way I thought about part of the business.
Not a keynote.
Not a panel.
Not a breakout session.
Just a conversation.
The topic was private credit, fund structures, and how some operators were shifting from traditional ownership models into debt and fund based businesses. For someone like me, who has spent 25+ years as an owner operator, landlord, and multifamily investor, it genuinely opened my eyes to an entirely different side of real estate.
And that is why I continue going to events.
People always ask:
"What's the ROI of attending conferences and networking events?"
That's actually a difficult question to answer.
Because sometimes you attend 2 or 3 events and barely learn anything new.
You sit through panels.
You hear recycled talking points.
You collect a few business cards.
And you leave wondering whether the flight, hotel, and ticket were worth it.
But then once in a while, one unexpected interaction changes everything.
A random hallway conversation.
A dinner table discussion.
An introduction from someone you barely know.
A quick comment that makes you rethink your business model.
And suddenly the ROI from all those events becomes obvious.
Networking is rarely linear.
Most relationships are built slowly through repetition.
You keep seeing the same people.
You become familiar faces.
You build trust over time.
And eventually opportunities appear naturally.
Sometimes it turns into a partnership.
Sometimes it becomes a deal.
Sometimes it becomes an investor relationship.
Sometimes it simply becomes access to knowledge you would have never found online.
I've also noticed something else over the years.
Being a moderator, panelist, or emcee changes the dynamic completely.
I've been fortunate enough to moderate panels and speak at events around the country, and now I'll be serving as the emcee for the REDEAL SUMMIT 2026 in Garfield, New Jersey.
As an emcee, you are constantly on the microphone throughout the day. You interact with sponsors, speakers, attendees, and organizers. People naturally approach you for introductions and conversations because you become part of the connective tissue of the event itself.
You may not even be the one "teaching" on stage, but the visibility and access are incredibly valuable.
There's also something psychological about events that people underestimate.
When attendees see someone moderating panels or running the room, they automatically assume credibility, experience, and leadership. Whether fair or not, visibility creates perceived authority.
And in business, perception matters.
Some of the best relationships I've built in real estate started from simply showing up consistently.
Not pitching.
Not selling.
Just being present.
That consistency compounds over time in ways that are impossible to measure on a spreadsheet.
Looking forward to seeing many familiar faces at ReDeal Summit this year and hopefully meeting a lot of new ones as well.
If you're attending, come say hello.
You never know which 3 minute conversation could end up changing your business.