Between June 30 and July 2, the Real Estate Futureproof (REF) takes place, an innovative online trade show where real estate professionals come together virtually to network, share knowledge and promote new projects. Major real estate players are partnering with REF, giving them the opportunity to give a keynote, rent a virtual exhibition booth and host roundtable sessions.
Speaking to Ron Seesing, Co-Founder and CCO Zig Real Estate
What was the main reason for you to participate in the online stock market Real Estate Futureproof?
The main reason to participate is to connect with other real estate organizations and suppliers. Our goal is to share knowledge and experience, provide inspiration and to get inspired ourselves. And of course we like to take organizations on board with our theme: 'The positive effect of the digital transition and customer focus on your returns'.
Real Estate Futureproof is created to ensure that, even in times of lockdown, real estate professionals can meet each other. It is the world's first-ever online trade show specifically for real estate. What do you think of this initiative?
We embrace the Real Estate Futureproof initiative. Especially at this time, when you want to stay in touch with different organizations. Real Estate Futureproof gives us the opportunity to be inspired and to inspire and inform others ourselves. In the end, we are all in the same situation. A situation in which we are looking for a new way of working that fits our times. The online fair is an ideal and innovative way to connect and learn from each other.
Would a virtual stock exchange such as Real Estate Futureproof be a recurring thing as far as you are concerned? And how do you see the added value in combination with the offline fairs and events?
We come from an "offline" era and within a week were forced to start working completely online. In a short period of time, we showed together that we can collaborate digitally without any problems. Online initiatives such as webinars and LinkedIn Live were already familiar, but a complete online exhibition, on the other hand, is really something else. The first edition of Real Estate Futureproof proves that an online trade show has value and can bring people together in a unique way. It makes you as a visitor, a lot more flexible. You can easily attend the sessions that are relevant and add value to you from the comfort of your own (home office) location.
As far as we are concerned, the online variant is not a full alternative to the physical fair, because people and organizations often (also) have the need to see and talk to each other on location. Precisely by combining the virtual and the physical fair, I think you can achieve great results.
How does your company prepare for an online trade show?
The preparation for an online exhibition, is not much different for us than for an offline exhibition. Prior to an event, we determine the agenda together internally. As a visitor to an online exhibition, you can be more selective and therefore more effective. You have the opportunity to choose the sessions that are relevant to you.
Nice to have you at the next edition (June 30-July 2). Can you give a sneak preview of what you will be doing then?
Yes. Our keynote and round tables will flesh out the theme: "The positive effect of the digital transition and customer focus on your bottom line. To this end, we have scheduled a daily roundtable from 11:30 to 11:55 a.m., where we take visitors through this theme. We talk with ASR, Bouwinvest, rental passport and Sydney Brouwer, among others. The closing session will cover a topic from which many organizations can learn. Indeed, on Thursday at noon, Sydney Brouwer will close with a keynote on Customer Focused Leadership. He talks about the value of this for organizations and reflects on the master class, which we will organize together for real estate organizations in the fall. With this interpretation, we hope to share our knowledge to the maximum and inspire many real estate organizations.
