Executives Dawn Kilby & Gina Jenkins Representing Realty Executives at NAR NXT

Realty Executives of Hickory and Lake Norman would like to extend our gratitude to Executives Brokers, Dawn Kilby and Gina Jenkins for representing our firm at the 2024 NAR NXT – The REALTOR® Experience!

 

Dawn Kilby tells us about her experience:

NAR NXT is an opportunity for education, networking and business-to-business discounts, demonstrations, etc...at the Expo. Meetings are frequently held while at the conference, and The National Association of Realtors® board of directors/delegates meeting concludes the conference.  Our local board, CVAR, has one voting delegate.  The president of the association (or a designated person in the president's absence) is CVAR's representative.  

 

The schedule is grueling.  There are classes that overlap throughout the day, so as a board, there were 4 of us in attendance this year.  We have learned to divide and conquer,"

 

We attended classes on the future of MLS, AI and how to use it in our business, building wealth with real estate, social media tips and tricks, leadership classes, and the list goes on.  There was an awesome class on RPR and the new things coming including AI for RPR.  There were classes on lead generation utilizing AI, social media, etc...the classes are taught by people just like us...boots on the ground in the field doing real estate every single day.  There were classes on creating a business plan, how to sell your business when you are ready to get out of the business, etc...

 

The conference also offers a great deal of networking opportunities.  I have made many new friends and have people from all over the world to refer clients to as well as receive referrals.  We had an opening celebration which was a street party!  The entire street was closed. There were bands, food (more than you could imagine), drinks (all kinds - alcoholic and non), items that were unique to Boston, and what a wonderful party that was.  It was over by 10:00 so we could all be in classes the next morning.

 

RPAC - on the national level - had a huge thank you party for major investors.  North Carolina had a welcome party for our contingent.  It was awesome seeing some familiar faces and enjoying food and beverage with those folks.  

 

The most exciting time was when Magda Esola, Canopy President-Elect, walked in with a cardboard check in the amount of $100,000!  The prizes at the expo are amazing! Homes.com was doing a drawing on the last day of the expo, and Magda won it! It was so amazing to see a NC Realtor® win that prize!  The great thing is, she is such a remarkable lady, she is sending the funds to Africa for schools for children. 

 

Last year was the first time that I had attended a national event.  I was so excited when I got back.  This year was no different.  It was exhilarating and energizing.  I can't explain how recharged and ready to go it makes you.  

 

Gina Jenkins, of course, was like the energizer bunny going from class to class and sending group texts about the exciting things that she was learning!  

 

I would love to have a group or even a few people from our office go in the future. In 2025 the event is in Houston, TX!  As you know, "everything is bigger in Texas"!

 

My words of wisdom would be do not wait until you have been in the business 28 years to attend a national conference.  Go, learn, network and incorporate the many ideas into your business and grow your sphere by meeting like minded Realtors®.

Thank you Dawn Kilby & Gina Jenkins