Can you believe it. 2024 is almost here and we are quickly approaching the Missouri Realtors® Winter Business Conference. Your service as a representative of Southeast Missouri REALTORS® at the Missouri Realtors® conferences is appreciated.

This guide should answer most of your questions that you may have about the Winter Business Conference.

Here are a few links to resources you may need before or during the conference.

• Missouri Realtors® Winter Business Conference Page
• St. Louis Union Station Hotel - hotel where the conference will be held
• Dining options on-site
• Conference Schedule

A reservation has been made in your name at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel.

Reservation dates:

Check-in Tuesday, 1/23/2024

Check-out Thursday, 1/25/2024

If there are any changes in your ability to attend this conference, please talk to Terry as soon as possible so the hotel reservation can be cancelled or changed.

Please take a moment and review any charges on your hotel bill upon checkout to ensure all charges are invoiced to the correct party and credit card. The board office is paying for the room but you are responsible for any incidentals.

There is a mini-fridge in the room but it does not contain a microwave. There is complimentary basic wireless internet. Check-in time is 4 pm and check-out is 11 am.

Note for when you arrive. I stayed here about a month ago. There is parking on the right side of the hotel in the photo below. Fees for parking is listed below. I think they charge that fee on the hotel bill.

When you pull up to check in you will go in the very center door in the picture below. You will then walk up the stairs to check in on the right. There is 15 minute parking in front of the building. I wanted to share that because it could be a little chaotic since this is on a street.

• Outdoor Parking: Discount on Overnight parking ($20 for Self-parking or $30 for Valet) / $15 for Daily Parking (Normal parking fees: Overnight parking -- $35 for Self-parking or $45 for Valet / $35 for Daily Parking)

Have you registered? If not, go and do that. Registration closes on Wednesday, January 10th. Please visit Missouri REALTORS webpage to register for the Fall Business Conference and check out the conference schedule.

For those who drive, you will find your expense report linked below. Carpooling is encouraged, if possible. I have a meeting at 10 am on Tuesday morning, anyone is welcome to ride with me and I will be leaving around 7:30 Tuesday morning.

Remember, you will receive prior to the conference a per diem check for food.

For your reference: 

Per Diem Rates Breakdown 

2024 IRS Mileage rate: 67 cents

Our policy determines that we reimburse meals in line with the Federal Per diem rate. depends on city you go to. We are headed to St. Louis for this trip so the rate is $64 per day. First and last day of travel is calculated at 75% of that amount

You check will be ready by Wednesday, 1/10/2024

Prompt return of the travel expense report once you get back from conference can help us get that check ready for you.

You are the eyes and ears for the association at the state conference. That is why we asked each of you to help be a local voice here at the local association. You will have opportunities to share the knowledge gained at the Winter Business Conference with the Board of Directors, at Membership Meeting in February, and in general with the members.  The work you do at each of the conferences has an impact. Having those conversations here locally, helps connect the local association to the work that is happening around the state and can identify gaps or provide solutions on challenges that our members have.

By sharing your knowledge with the board, staff and our members you are establishing yourself as a knowledgeable representative on matters that are important locally. Thank you for taking the time and care to serve and share that information with our members.

No written reports but I wanted to make sure you were aware of upcoming dates so that we all can be prepared in helping report back to the local association.

• Board of Directors meeting - Wednesday, January 31, 2024
• General Membership meeting - Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Still not sure what to do at the conference?

If you have some uncertainties about the conference, where to go, where to eat, etc. Ask myself or one of the Southeast Missouri REALTORS® (SMR) members at the conference. They remember their first time and have asked the same questions that you are now thinking. We try to 

SMR attending conference:

Terry Baker                                Christopher Cole

Amber Kimbrell                          Taylor Pinkerton

Vicki Stroud                                Elizabeth McFerron

Tiffany Barr                                 Amy Chiles

Rebecca Buehler                        David Soto

These are the ones I am aware of. There may be others. 

Board of Directors Voting: IMPORTANT!!

A few days before the conference starts you will get an email from Missouri Realtors® (probably Cara Harmon/Gavin Frevert). READ IT and FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS prior to arriving at the conference. State directors vote via online now even though you are in person. If there is any problems with your voting abilities they are more likely to be resolved quickly if they are addressed right away. You could lose your opportunity to vote if you don't do this step.

Business conference is such a fun experience! Don't forget to leave some room for eating/hanging out and spending time with your fellow Southeast Missouri REALTORS® crew. We always learn so much from each other.