by G. Sax, Head of Communications, RESO
Welcome to “Three Questions,” an interview series that introduces you to real estate industry professionals, their businesses and how they interact with real estate standards. The goal of the series is to humanize the tech side of the industry, fun included.
This week’s interview is with Martin Kelly, President of Blueprint, a modern real estate conference that brings proptech and investment leaders together for a festival of learning in specified tracks for data, residential, construction, fintech, AI, sustainability, hospitality and more.
Naturally, we chatted about Blueprint, which takes place at The Venetian in Las Vegas September 17–19, 2024 (RESO will be there!), but we also talked about residential real estate, event management and what it’s like to live inside of a Sting song. Enjoy!
Q1: Blueprint seemingly came out of nowhere to become a force in the real estate conference circuit, especially for fresh ideas toward solving problems in an increasingly technological world. Yet not too many of RESO’s members know of it.
As we take on more commercial, international and tech standards at RESO, what is your opinion about the pace of residential real estate innovation?
Martin: At Blueprint, we present a view of the built world and then take a deep dive into each segment.
When it comes to residential real estate – like the concept of the MLS, for instance – we think that there could be some consolidation and upheaval over the next few years, mostly stemming from brokerage action.
That is of interest to us in terms of great new ideas and segment flourishment. We see some early founders and investors in this space that are getting ahead of that.
There are all sorts of complicated ecosystems that require buy-in from different stakeholders. The way companies are built on the technology side, we’re seeing more astuteness in the approach to the built world.
The same applies in narrower angles, like residential. That’s something that’s certainly changed in the last few years, and we expect that to continue.
It is impossible not to see that this is a year to embrace tech adoption. There are more partnerships and tech ideas being announced more often. There is also more scrutiny and more need to “show edge” that has an urgency to it.
This is a good time for being open-minded.
Q2: You have a rich history of working in fast-paced event management, which is not for the weak of heart. What is it about pulling together thousands of vendors, attendees, venue operators, speakers and everything in between that appeals to you? Or is it less about appeal and more about a personal need for constant chaos in your life?
Martin: I actually came from a background in law and fell into events!
From that angle, the exciting thing for me – and why B2B events, in particular, appeal to me – is you end up doing a lot of research. You’re looking for connectors and trailblazers. And that has always kept me on the edge of my seat as an observer and a participant in this industry.
I love talking to people with new ideas and new ways of doing things, pushing things forward, taking business to the next level. These kinds of things tend to happen in person at events.
And Blueprint allows you to be on the front row. From my seat, I have been witness to a ton of industries that have seen ground-breaking change and ideas that make sense, like modular.
Even if we haven’t quite cracked modular construction as a business model, you have to create and promote new ideas in an astute way.
All things being equal, one person with a 1% edge will compound an amazing idea over time and will propel the industry forward. It is incredibly exciting to be part of that in my own small way through Blueprint.
Q3: After graduating from the University of Oxford, you hung around the UK for about four years before taking a job in New York City. Thanks to a few key work assignments, you have now been in New York for 14 years. What is it about that city that makes you akin to Sting’s “Englishman in New York”?
Martin: It’s kind of funny. I fell into New York from a throwaway comment.
It was a time in my life when I was tired of being risk averse, and I decided to travel extensively in South America. When I quit my job to pursue this dream, I off-handedly said that I would move to New York after my travels. My employer listened, and when I landed in New York, they gave me a job there.
Deciding to take on risk changed my life, and now I have an American wife from Louisiana and a son with a Brooklyn accent.
But you also asked why I have stayed in New York. With all the developers, brokers and investors in the real estate space, it makes perfect sense for me to be there to support my current role. It’s a great place to be for this kind of business.
And it’s actually easier for me to be there from a cultural perspective, coming from London, than it is for my wife from Louisiana. New York and London have similar opportunities and vibes. I have always enjoyed New York.
Someone once said to me, in terms of living in New York, if you don’t enjoy living there, it’s your own damn fault.
Don’t Forget: Registration Open for 2024 RESO Fall Conference
“This is a good time for being open-minded. This is a year to embrace tech adoption.”
Martin Kelly is right. And many of the partnerships and tech ideas that he alluded to are happening because of connections made at RESO conferences.
Our next big show is in Frisco, Texas, October 22–24, with an opening reception on October 21. | EVENT SITE
