2024 Fall Business Conference Recap
The 2024 Washington REALTORS® Fall Business Conference, held September 18-20 in Kennewick, was an incredibly productive event! Attendees participated in important discussions, including the Member Forum, and our Board of Directors made decisions such as approving the WR's 2025 Strategic Plan, Budget, and Committee Business Plans. Below is a recap of the conference’s key highlights and outcomes.September 18th, 2024
RPAC Trustees:
Hailey Rarden, the 2024 WR RPAC Trustees Chair, delivered the Chair's Report, providing a status report on RPAC initiatives.Committee members presented updates on RPAC goals: Keri McCombs shared insights on major investors, Garrett Nelson discussed participation strategies, and Jeff Smart, reviewed President's Circle participation. WR RPAC Development Manager, Melissa Purvines, provided an overview of Champions Club participation.
Zack Rubin-McCarry, NAR Disbursements Director, presented recommendations for Congressional endorsements. Mary Hull-Drury, WR Government Affairs Director, gave a briefing on the upcoming 2024 primary elections and an endorsement recommendation for a Statewide Executive race. Keri McCombs also addressed the committee about expiring RPAC trustee terms.
The meeting concluded with an open discussion on local success stories and upcoming events, along with reminders about the Major Investors & Hall of Fame Reception and the next RPAC Trustees meeting scheduled for October 7th.
Professional Standards Committee:
Discussion focused on the latest updates to current professional standards cases. WR Professional Standards Administrator, Susan Mitchell, provided a case update, while committee chair, Denice Neddo, provided a comprehensive review of NAR case studies to illustrate the application of standards in real-world scenarios.YPN Networking:
YPN heard updates from committee Chair, Cheyenne Gillooly, and met to discuss past and upcoming YPN initiatives to strengthen their network. Legislative Steering:
Krista Gross, the 2024 WR Legislative Steering Committee Chair, presented her report, setting the stage for important updates from WR Government Affairs Director Mary Hull-Drury and lobbyist Denny Eliason. They provided an overview of both the primary and general elections, followed by a preview of the 2025 legislative session.2025 Legislative Preview:
Tax & Fiscal: Led by Mary Hull-Drury and Denny Eliason. The 2025 Legislative Session is the long 105-day Session that requires adoption of a new 2-year Operating Budget, so there will be a large focus on fiscal matters. Denny & Mary discussed a variety of fiscal and tax policies, including REET, property tax, and potential changes to capital gains taxation. Mary & Denny also talked about the degree to which these policy pursuits will likely be influenced by the outcome of initiatives on the November ballot.Housing Policies: The committee heard updates from Riley Benge, WR’s Commercial Government Affairs Director, and WR Director of Public Policy, Bill Clarke, on middle housing and ADU bills, subdivision reform, and transit-oriented development. The team also discussed issues surrounding the construction of condominiums and townhouses, as well as incentives for adaptive reuse of commercial buildings to residential units.
Consumer & Business Protection: The Committee heard updates regarding residential wholesaling, home equity sharing, a potential license fee increase, rent control/stabilization, and ongoing insurance challenges in high-risk areas.
The Committee approved a funding recommendation and updates to the WR position statement and ended with a reminder of their upcoming meeting on December 13, 2024.
September 19, 2024
Membership CORE Committee:
Zac Mason, Vice President and Operations Manager at Chicago Title, gave a presentation on industry trends relating to recent fraud schemes and scams facing the real estate industry, followed by a legal update from Annie Fitzsimmons, WR Legal Hotline Lawyer. Cara McNeil, WR Communications Director provided an update on our membership initiatives, focusing on enhancing member engagement and outreach efforts. The committee meeting was chaired by Lynn Sanborn, VP.Operations CORE Committee:
Led by VP Ron Almberg, the Operations Committee meeting commenced with a formal call to order followed by a roll call conducted by Professional Standards Administrator Susan Mitchell. The agenda and previous meeting minutes from April 17, 2024, were reviewed and approved.The meeting also featured important announcements, including the WR Hill Day event scheduled for January 29th-30th at Little Creek Casino Resort and the Spring Business Conference, which will take place April 23rd-25th at the Tulalip Resort Casino.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
The DEI committee heard a powerful presentation from guest speaker and author of “Princess Mackie Buys a House,” Twala Lockett-Jones. Local Associations shared success stories of DEI activities in their communities. The meeting was chaired by Michele Hunt.
Member Forum:
Lisa DeBrock, Director, Washington State Housing Finance Commission, presented on the Covenant Homeownership Act , a program that provides downpayment and closing cost assistance to those with long roots in Washington who have been impacted by housing discrimination. Conference attendees also heard a WR budget update. September 20, 2024
Board of Directors:
Washington REALTORS® President Jeff Smart offered a warm welcome to all attendees, with a special recognition for first-time participants.The election ballot for the 2025 First Vice President was confirmed by the Nominations Committee Chair, Alisha Harrison.
Additional action items included the approval of appointees to the 2025 Executive Committee, amendments to the WR Policy Manual, and the adoption of the 2025 WR Strategic Plan, budget, and committee business plans.
Eddie Chang, VP of Government Affairs, presented motions for government affairs-related projects, including revisions to position statements and an issues fund request for the 2025 Legislative Session. The Board passed both motions.
President-elect John Blom and Past President Cheri Daniels presented a motion for a contribution to the NAR REALTOR® Relief Foundation, citing the importance and ongoing contribution that the RRF has had assisting Washington State homeowners after wildfires. The Board passed this motion.
Various reports and updates from NAR, RPAC, and membership retention initiatives were also shared, including a presentation from Matt Watson with The Watson Agency, a PR/Creative firm WR has contracted with to create a membership retention strategy.
The meeting concluded with a staff recognition, event, and member announcements. The meeting adjourned after a productive and impactful session.
Leadership Elections:
Mary Kay Robinson from the Whatcom County Association of REALTORS® was elected as the 2025 First Vice President during the Board of Directors meeting. Please help us thank all our candidates and congratulate Mary Kay for her commitment and service to the association!
Mary Kay Robinson
2025 Washington REALTORS®
First Vice President