Coronavirus has crossed these real estate events off the agenda — for now
Like so much else, real estate-related conferences and networking events slated for the coming weeks have been canceled due to the spread of COVID-19.
Among events postponed or canceled:
- Bilzin Sumberg’s 2020 Real Estate Conference. Slated for March 13, the event would have featured Mayor Carlos Gimenez with Brightline President Patrick Goddard, developer Armando Codina and a panel on untapped real estate opportunities
- CREW’s March 18 lunch program, “Look Who’s Moving to Miami.”
- The Miami Home Show, set for March 27-29 at Mana Wynwood
Hinshaw & Culbertson’s fourth Sea Level Rise & Climate Change Conference, set for March 31.
For some organizers, Thursday’s press conference by by Gov. Ron DeSantis advising Miamians to “increase social-distancing measures” sealed the decision. For others, it was County Mayor Gimenez’s Thursday order canceling all large-scale gatherings. (Both Gimenez and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez have self-quarantined after learning an aide to the Brazilian president tested positive for COVID-19. Both attended a reception with the Brazilian president earlier this week.)
“We felt it was the best interest of exhibitors and service members. We wanted to make sure that everyone’s health was put first,” said Adam Kayce, the vice president and show director of Home Show Management Corp. His organization will postpone the Home Show scheduled for Mar. 27-29 to spring 2021.
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The Miami Association of Realtors postponed its social calendar for the month, including an after-hours Broward gathering planned for Thursday. Classes and seminars have yet to be canceled, said the association’s chief of communications Lynda Fernandez.
“Classes are held in our offices and we are disinfecting the spaces daily,” she said.
But it may be a matter of time until the association moves its classes and seminars online. Fernandez said, “We are working on an option to stream classes.”
Some organizers know that they will lose money from postponing their event.
“There’s always a cost to producing shows that we will not get back,” Kayce said.
About 200 businesses had signed up for booths, Kayce said. Booth sizes vary but cost $12 per square foot; some companies had spent $2,200 to $10,000 for a space. Booth holders will instead be offered space at the upcoming Palm Beach show slated for May or a Wynwood show scheduled for September, Kayce said.
Home Show also expected about 40,000 homeowners, each buying a $10 ticket either online or at the door. It will honor tickets to attend upcoming shows for up to a year.
After COVID-19 “is in the rearview mirror,” Kayce said, “I anticipate a rush of demand of people wanting to attend events.”
Some other companies are moving forward with events — at least for now. Those include the Brickell-based loan agency BGI Capital and the nationwide Associated Builders and Contractors trade association.
BGI Capital will host an invite-only “Finding your purpose” meeting on Mar. 26 featuring women in real estate discussing a life-work balance and tips for success in the industry. The event is for a relatively small group of 40.
“The panelists and I are making sure that attendees have not traveled and have not come into contact with people who are sick. We are also going to live stream the event,” said Joanna Baboun, the chief marketing officer for BGI Capital. Four hand sanitizing stations will be set up at the event. Attendees will be encouraged to put company cards in fish bowls to avoid physical contact.
In case BGI decides to cancel, it will move to an online webinar, Baboun said.
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 7:00 AM.
