Connection 2007
An Open Letter to the Sponsors, Partners and Vendors to the MLS Industry:
First, we want to thank you very much for the long time support of the Multiple Listing Services by each of you. We very much appreciate your participation in our mutual businesses and understand that you bring significant value to the industry.
The decision to self fund Connection 2007 and not ask for sponsorships and funding was made for a number of reasons. First and foremost, there was a concern that the value you have come to expect could not be delivered given the space requirements and the meeting format. We listened and heard that some of you did not feel you received sufficient value for you investment at Connection 2006. We do not feel it is fair to ask you for money when we could not provide space for exhibits and the meetings were geared as brainstorming sessions where you would have minimal contact with the meeting participants.
Prior to making the decision, we took into account the positive feedback received from the MLS Data Topics in the Tropics Seminar in 2005. The participants liked the smaller meetings where they could participate with each other and create action items. We also polled a number of MLSs around the country and sought their input about holding a smaller meeting with just the MLSs, associations, attorneys, brokers and agents. The input received indicated that participants would appreciate an occasional scaled back meeting, and that others in the industry certainly hold meetings without their sponsors, partners and vendors attending the sessions.
For these reasons, the decision was made to not request funding from any of you for Connection 2007. There are so many events where you are asked to participate with funding that we believe you will find ample opportunity to obtain the best return on your investment at other events in 2007.
Thank you for your understanding
