How many of y’all are going to ICSC Vegas? Should I go?
Pretty much the title. My boss says I should go, but I’m on the fence.
[{"id": "i6noima", "text": "Your boss, who pays you and knows you personally, and knows your professional role, and has a keen interest in your professional development, and may even be paying for the attendance is saying you should go. \n\nBut you\u2019re letting randoms on a subreddit be the decision maker?", "replies": [{"id": "i6npa2c", "text": "no he\u2019s getting additional opinions but you can spin it that way if you want", "replies": [{"id": "i6nq5sd", "text": "And you believe that the additional opinions of people who do not directly know AND/OR control his exact personal circumstances should mean anything?", "replies": [{"id": "i6nrlhi", "text": "Yeah lol why would I only take my bosses word for it? I want to make sure that others in my profession see it as a valuable thing to do", "replies": [{"id": "i6nti7h", "text": "I will reiterate. Because your boss knows EXACTLY what you do, what you will do, what you need to know in order to advance in your current organization, etc. \n\nWhereas the extremely all-encompassing and varied work that is considered CRE, with all the hyper specialization, nuances of roles, even nuances of which side of the coin of each role, no one is going to know exactly how valuable it is TO YOU, SPECIFICALLY. \n\nFurther, even within an asset class like Retail you have such insane niche, some guy who represents STNL investment sales may find little use but a guy who does leasing for that same asset class may think it\u2019s make or break for his entire career. \n\nDo you see my point, now?", "replies": [{"id": "i6nvtam", "text": "you make it seem like it\u2019s one or the the other. i\u2019ve read a lot of good advice on reddit but that doesn\u2019t mean i\u2019ve had to use it in place of my boss\u2019s advice or anyone else.", "replies": [{"id": "i6nzgy4", "text": "I make it seem like getting highly personalized recommendations from someone who currently controls your personal financial situation is leaps and bounds more critical than getting a r/CRE headcount. \n\n\u201cWho\u2019s goin, ya\u2019ll?!\u201d\n\nThe guy didn\u2019t ask for advice. Didn\u2019t ask why people find value in it. Didn\u2019t disclose any relevant personal goals or ambitions. \n\nSo\u2026 COOL POINT. I am so glad you shared a very generalized opinion which does not apply here.", "replies": [{"id": "i6o10nb", "text": " Bro I didn\u2019t mean to get you so fired up. I\u2019m still pretty new in the industry and just wanted to see how others felt about it. I don\u2019t need a personal recommendation based on me.", "replies": [], "depth": 8}], "depth": 7}], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "i6nrn0o", "text": "&gt;But you\u2019re letting randoms on a subreddit be the decision maker?\n\nToday's society.", "replies": [{"id": "i6nselq", "text": "I thought this was a commercial real estate subreddit? I\u2019m not letting you guys make my decision. I\u2019m asking for input from others that do this to see if they think it\u2019s a valuable thing to do.", "replies": [{"id": "i6qdcfc", "text": "It's the most important conference of the year for me as I work in the CRE Debt &amp; Equity Capital Markets. It is a must go IMO. If you're in an entry level gig or the next position after that, ask if the company will pay for it as they should.", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "i6ov33d", "text": "Agreed, if you have a chance to go to ICSC, and you haven't gone, you should.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "i6p1wvw", "text": "You must have a boss that doesn\u2019t appreciate your input or opinion, that\u2019s a bummer. \n\nMy boss told me I should go to NMHC earlier this year and i told him I thought my time would be better spent in the office as we were trying to tie down a couple of off market deals at the time, but happy to go if he really wanted me to. He said \u201cthat\u2019s a good point, let\u2019s focus on getting these deals under control\u201d. It\u2019s ok to push back sometimes and have your own opinion, a lot of bosses actually appreciate that.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "i6qryq3", "text": "Dude you nailed it.  Go!  Go to every event...every event.  Networking isn\u2019t bad.  You just need to understand your goal.  Meeting the right people can change your life in a day.  Don\u2019t know why I\u2019m even commenting...go.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i6npebl", "text": "Not everyone is out on a free ride.", "replies": [{"id": "i6npljx", "text": "It\u2019s not free that\u2019s why I\u2019m asking for opinions", "replies": [{"id": "i6nqd7z", "text": "Price it out on the cheap and see what that costs. Are you with a larger brokerage that's putting on some events? Is there any actual networking you might do that could actually generate some cash in the future? Our big guys with the national tenant contacts would be out there but a lot of guys would skip it as well. I was told it once was basically a requirement to attend but that has changed over the last decade.", "replies": [{"id": "i6nrscp", "text": "It\u2019s going to be a significant portion of my money, but I do plan to try to make connections and hopefully make a deal out of one of them one day. \nThank you for your input", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}, {"id": "i6sbjdp", "text": "I was going to say go under the assumption your boss is paying. If he\u2019s saying you should go but making you pay, fuck that what an asshat. I\u2019d actually be looking for a new job.\n\nIt\u2019s a great networking event but your office should pay for you to attend.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i6nv0oe", "text": "If you have several existing clients that will be there and are requesting meetings at the show then yes, you should go.\n\nIf your plan is just to wander the convention floor hoping to make connections then it's probably not worth it. \n\nIf your company is paying you should go no matter what.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i6nv8q5", "text": "I\u2019ll certainly be there, and I\u2019ve made a lot of good connections at ICSC in the past. If you\u2019re serious about commerical real estate, then you should be going to conferences.", "replies": [{"id": "i6o13g7", "text": "Thank you", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i6nwwff", "text": "If your boss isn\u2019t paying for it and you are still living hand to mouth then I\u2019m not so sure. The best parts of ICSC happen outside the actual conference - networking at the day parties, nightclubs, etc. if you aren\u2019t already setup with those invites and all that, I wouldn\u2019t go especially if you have to shell out for fancy dinners, flight, and a $800 a night hotel room.  However if you do retail landlord rep than I\u2019d say u kind of have to go.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i6o42dn", "text": "Are you a retail broker? If so, yes. Otherwise no, waste of time.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i6o6edq", "text": "I will be attending this year. If you haven't gone before it can be a little intimidating but if you focus on retail I would say it's a must. It's like anything when starting out, it sucks at first but it gets better over time. I met someone in the tram on the way to the center and we still talk to this day. You'll learn how small the world really is.", "replies": [{"id": "i6o6z9p", "text": "I appreciate the input, this is the kind of answer I was looking for", "replies": [{"id": "i6ol4yk", "text": "Make it worth your while to start additional networking. Lots of brokers are calling clients right now asking if they are going to ICSC. Start asking your coworkers who are going and what meetings or booths they recommend visiting. \nHave some business cards and pick up some business cards at the event so you start building your own business network. Worst case scenario is your boss just paid for you to find a new job at the conference. Best case scenario is you networked with some businesses that can help you and your boss with your job", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i6o77tp", "text": "I'd concur with folks telling you its worthwhile if you've got an objective in mind. If you're looking for a certain kind of asset or you've got a particular kind of asset that's unique to your market but no local buyers, ICSC is great.  \n\n\nTo the extent you go just looking to grow you network, I'd maybe see if there isn't a local show near you before plonking down $3000 (between the show, travel, lodging, and food) to go to Vegas for 4 days in the hopes you might find someone you can work with.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i6oado1", "text": "DM me if you go. I can get you into a couple developers private parties. They're NY guys. Good times, good contacts.", "replies": [{"id": "i7x7bbu", "text": "That would be awesome dude, I\u2019ll DM you right now", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i6p7m53", "text": "Go.  It's a blast.  You'll learn a ton and....you'll enjoy everything.\n\nOf all the trade shows I've ever attended...ICSC is my favorite.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i6s4vg5", "text": "I\u2019ll be there on my own dime unfortunately. Let\u2019s link up.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i6tj699", "text": "Your boss says to go. \n\nSo go.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i7wmm7j", "text": "A little late to the party here, but I say go. It\u2019s a great networking opportunity and hell a bit of a validator as well\u2026 in my market it\u2019s almost like you not real if you don\u2019t go or haven\u2019t gone before\u2026 \n\nthis will be my first Recon if anybody trying to meet up.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]