I have my go to vendors.  

Probably not very likely. 

Good morning Michael. Most likely I would not, very loyal to those I am currently doing business with.

I am 80% more likely to do business with those with whom I am familiar.

So, if they only sponsor and don't do the 'Grip-N-Grin,' I still don't know them.

But, if they me they can solve a problem the needs solved, they just might get my attention

For instance, a recent inspection included the following item:

8.3 Refrigerator
Store bought ice noted in the freezer leading us to believe the ice maker is not operational.

This commentary is a problem that needs solved.

Assure me YOUR report will indicate chlorinated water tastes terrible as the store bought ice indicates. 

In the above example Post to Post home inspectors will be given full credit for faulty assumptions, along with leaving the pool heater turned on, resetting to midnight all the timers in the house,(signage stating "do not touch means do not touch") and not resetting the thermostat to it original setting.

Those who believe those are 'little' things present yet another problem that needs solved.

It depends on the service or product as the case may be. I am always looking for names of other vendors . 

I always find that to be a desperate form of marketing yourself and tend to shy away from these vendors.  Sounds too much like telemarketing and door knocking for my liking.  Build on your sphere and reward them for their referrals.

If they have a good product or services I will use them at least once to try out their services.  If they are good I will continue to use them.

I have seen a lot of vendors presentations coming to the office. It depends on the quality of the service being provided. If you are an unknown commodity within the office/region, than a coupon would be a great way to introduce your company. Most agents feel that they have their "go to's" but most every office has new agents or have some clients which have to watch their budget.  

 I've been on both sides here, 5 years of real estate and still am on that side while also doing the consulting, education & coaching. For me it has always been about does it solve a problem and is it being done in a different way.

For my business selling to real estate agents I don't go to those events, I know my class works because I use it for my 4 real estate teams. Word of mouth, cold calling people paying a 3rd party site that charge monthly instead of one time to generate leads works good, or just them finding you.

Hi Michael -- I think you would be spending your time and less money by building relationships through excellent communication, industry knowledge and delivering a product that the consumer wants.  

We do not have an office location that could host an event like this, but we do shop the vendors who have a relationship with our company, as well as others. Let the best one win.

This gives the marketing person something to do.

Not because they do a presentation, but the value they bring to my buyers and sellers.

For me it all depends on what they have to offer.  

It depends

Real estate agents have a different perspective than we do as lenders (who are spending a lot of time begging agents for business).  However, we get at least 4 insurance agents per week and 2 credit repair companies per week coming through the office.  I'll always give them a couple of minutes of my attention if I'm not in the middle of something important as a courtesy but they need to bring value to the table.  I try not to bother agents with cold calls, etc unless I have something of value to bring to them (i.e. a qualified buyer looking in an area they specialize in that isn't represented).  I also teach C.E. credits so I do use those classes to meet and establish relationships with agents. 

I like to do business with people who are like me.  I don't need vendor fairs, or other entertainment.  I would spend $ on those who bring me business, strenghten my base and make a difference in my community.  Of course, when I say this, I base it on our marketplace, and every market is different. A

I check out vendors at the two NAR events each year and that is the extent of it.

I rarely attend these kinds of events and they do nothing to encourage me to use a particular vendor. I use people I know and who have proven themselve to me. A cupcake or cookie isn't going to get me interested.

We are a small island and we know most of the vendors here. They host and do presentations to keep us informed and maintain the relationship. But when a new vendor is working to get business they'll host at functions or do office presentations and - if they seem solid and offer good services - we will often try them out. A new-to-Kauai mold specialist just got two jobs from us after hosting an event. He offered a discount and could schedule the work faster.

Michael Thornton - once you have one-on-one connections with the sales rep, it is a good idea to do business with them. You get personal attention and perhaps the best deal to market yourself and your business. (Of course, as long as the product they sell is going to help you!)