NORMAN — Realtors know technology plays an important role in the real estate industry.

The Norman Board of Realtors has scheduled a continuing education program April 27 at the Holiday Inn that will address the connection between real estate trends and technology. Ronald Phipps, president of the National Association of Realtors, and Richard Mendenhall, past president of the National Association of Realtors will speak at the forum.

According to biographical information, Phipps has been a Realtor for 31 years. He is principal broker of Phipps Realty Inc. in Warwick, R.I.

Mendenhall served as the organization’s president in 2001. He lives in Columbia, Mo., and is the fifth generation of his family to work in the real estate industry, according to biographical information about Mendenhall.

Sherri Parker-Evans, president of the Norman Board of Realtors, said it’s rare for the national organization’s president to speak to a local group. Realtors from Norman and surroundings areas are invited to the event.

“Ron has created these things that we want our locals to be aware of,” Parker-Evans said.

The program will cover current economic statistics of the real estate industry to educate Realtors on the current state and local environment, according to a program outline. Past, current and future technology trends also will be covered in the forum.

Tom McAuliffe, president of the Association Multi-Services of Oklahoma, Inc. said Phipps will bring dynamics to the event.

Shirley Holland, executive officer of the Norman Board of Realtors, said at least 300 people are expected to attend in April.

“We’re anticipating that, maybe more,” Holland said.

Holland said technology was spiraling in 2001 and beginning to play a role in real estate. Technology has advanced.

People have adapted to social media. Realtors use websites to update listings.

“Tom and I remember picking up listings daily,” Parker-Evans said.

Holland said Realtors know longer have to travel to their offices to look up listing information.

“Technology is a driving force in this industry,” Holland said.

McAuliffe said there is a down side to the combination of social media and real estate. A website may list a particular property for sale but not update the information once it has been purchased.

Holland said some Internet portals aren’t kept up as often as others. However, Realtor.com updates its listings every 8 minutes.

Thanks to another technology advancement, Realtors may access real estate properties with their iPhones.

Parker-Evans said an iPhone application was piloted in Norman. The infrared application enables Realtors to unlock door boxes with their phones.