Conference agenda: December 7

Pre-conference Mingle

December 7  I  6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.  I  Location: Didi's Bar at the Ingleside

Coming in early? Join us for drinks and hors d’oeuvres at Didi’s Bar to meet with other Wisconsin real estate brokers as well as WRA leadership.

Conference agenda: December 8

Registration and coffee & rolls

7:45 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Conference welcome

8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.

Wisconsin Forecast 2023: Housing, Inflation and Financing

8:45 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.  I  Speaker: Mark Eppli

The fiscal and monetary stimulus limited the COVID-19 recession, but the lag effects of the current burst of inflation and the highest mortgage interest rates in four decades — all with a backdrop of single-family residential housing shortages in many markets in Wisconsin and the U.S. — are affecting us today. This macroeconomic presentation discusses the hand that we were dealt by Congress and The Fed, and it also looks forward into 2023 and beyond with the expectation of strong demand fundamentals for owner-occupied homes as well as slowly declining inflation and mortgage interest rates.

Moving In? Wisconsin Migration Patterns

9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.  I  Speaker: Dale Knapp

This session explores household migration patterns at both the state and county level during the period between 2010 and 2020, and the migration pattern discussion is further broken down by both age and income. Plus, this session also provides an overview of the U.S. Census Bureau's migration tool that allows users to easily track migration in and out of any county.

Break

10:00 a.m. - 10:10 a.m.

Keynote: Personal Leadership: Work Smarter, Reduce Your Stress and Prevent Burnout

10:10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.  I  Speaker: Steve McClatchy

Your life is a product of your decisions. Your criteria for making decisions are at the very core of your effectiveness. Great decision-making habits can yield a lifetime of success and achievements, while poor ones can make you stressed, frustrated and out of balance. Just as a business must never stop improving and innovating to lead in the marketplace, you are faced with this same challenge as a Wisconsin real estate leader. In this keynote, you’ll discover which decisions increase your engagement, reduce your stress, prevent burnout and restore the feeling of balance. You’ll be inspired with specific and actionable steps that you can put into practice immediately, and you’ll leave with tactics to help you prioritize more effectively, end procrastination and lead by example.

Networking and lunch

11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Meet with fellow real estate brokers from all across Wisconsin over lunch to discuss trends, ideas and predictions for the future. Lunch is included with the event registration fee.

The State of the Association

12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.  I  Speakers: Brad Lois and Michael Theo

WRA President & CEO Michael Theo and 2022 WRA Chairman Brad Lois discuss the top issues facing REALTORS^® in Wisconsin. Be a part of the conversation as they glimpse the future of our industry and the active roles we all must play in elevating our profession and ensuring that our businesses continue to thrive.

Emerging Tech Trends

12:45 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.  I  Speaker: Ashley Stinton

Gain an investor's perspective on new property technology, known as "PropTech," including some of the fastest-growing tech companies to consider in your business as well as insight on emerging technology that will shape the future of real estate.

Break

1:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Breakout Sessions

Leave Your Mark: Earning Top of Mind Awareness with Your Agents, Clients and Community

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.  I  Speaker: Sean Carpenter

Leaders have an opportunity to impact more than just their followers. Inspiring a tribe is beneficial not just in the moment but could create a legacy for years and generations to come. This inspiring, fast-paced session shows you how to stand out and be the trusted resource for your followers. You’ll discover the power of consistent branding, how to succeed in the “attention economy,” the keys to developing a powerful reputation and some worthwhile tips for leaving a lasting impression. This message is sure to leave its mark on those who attend.

Higher, Faster, Farther

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.  I  Speaker: Marty Rueter

As the real estate industry continues to be assaulted by the latest interlopers — new franchisers, tech companies, iBrokers and virtual brokerages — the need to adapt and adopt is no longer optional. This session examines the immediate and extended effects of such dramatic and drastic industry changes and challenges; their impact on traditional real estate brokerage, and how REALTORS^® must elevate and differentiate their expertise and service levels far above what’s been customary or expected. More than gimmicky gadgets or the latest apps, there are social, political and generational changes that call into question our commissions, “exclusives” and the once-sacrosanct role as real estate gatekeeper and deal-maker. Introspective, informative and inspiring, this seminar mixes a wee dash of humor and extraordinary hubris into this brash real estate brokerage reality. Everyone admits the problem, but are there practical solutions? Learn several feasible ways to propel your business to even loftier heights!

Unlocking the Mystery of Success: Discovering the DNA of Top Agents

2:35 p.m. - 3:35 p.m. I  Speaker: Sean Carpenter

It’s time to look beyond the scoreboard of sales and truly dive into what it takes to be successful in today’s fast-paced real estate world. Just like genetics make everyone different, the makeup of each agent determines who they are and what they can become. It’s how agents use their specific skills, habits and traits that will determine their long-term success. The good news is that unlike our genetic code, success in real estate can be adjusted and adapted to help you become the agent, manager, broker or leader you want to be.

Profit Is Not a Four-letter Word!

2:35 p.m. - 3:35 p.m.  I  Speaker: Marty Rueter

Are you still measuring brokerage success by shiny trophies and inflated dollar volume? Is your brokerage a real business or an expensive hobby? Are you the top producer in your office? This session takes on this often-evaded and ever-sensitive topic with confidence, clarity and a bit of controversy.

How much is your business worth? Which business models work better, or not at all, in attaining and retaining monetary success? What’s the best way to attack the financial elephant that infects and destroys so many businesses, large and small? How to separate company-generated business from transactions procured by your sales team?

This session helps you to examine each “line” of your profitability mix: “top line” commissions and ancillary revenues, “middle line” splits and other deductions, and “bottom line” wasteful expenses. Join this session for a practical, positive look at tackling something that once seemed impossible: owning a business worth owning.