Almost 600 Attendees from across Iowa and the country attended the IAR Convention 2022 in early October. The event featured an amazing variety of CE classes, which included top producers and national leaders.
Check out the video highlights of the Convention. Read below the recap of each day.
Tuesday's Highlights
IAR hosted a full day CRS Course - Zero to 60 Homes Sales a Year (and Beyond) led by Frank Serio. In addition, Amy Ford led a great Ethics course in the afternoon.
Bingo at the welcome reception kicked off the week with great pizza, fun prizes, and camaraderie as everyone caught up with friends from across the state. The money raised for bingo cards went to the REALTOR® Foundation of Iowa.
Wednesday's Highlights
IAR 360 included an IAR Leadership panel that encouraged members to get involved and find a way to help IAR shape the future of the real estate industry. A fun pitch battle between committee chairs capped off the session, including the winning rap by Jennifer Jansen.
Engaging sessions on boosting your referral business, leveraging social media, acing your buyer presentation, getting into real estate investment, and pushing through the tough times in real estate were only a handful of the classes offered on day one.
The roundtable luncheon provided the attendees the opportunity to network with others from around the state while sharing ideas on topics such as statewide forms, Listing technologies, coming soon listings and much more. Check out the photos from Wednesday.
The REALTOR Foundation of Iowa smashed their records by raising over $42,000 to better the lives of Iowans and our communities. The live auction brought in over $31,000 and an additional $11,250 for Project Jack. A huge thank you to all that donated and purchased items at the live or silent auction!
Check out photos from Wednesday on Flickr.
Axes were thrown (some hit the bullseye), great food was enjoyed from What the Fries food truck, and lots of great stories and laughs were shared during Fun Night hosted at LumberAxe. Check out photos here.
Thursday's Highlights
Thursday started off with the NAR Leadership Panel including special guests, Kenny Parcell, the 2023 NAR President, and Pete Kopf the 2023 NAR VP of Advocacy, and IAR 2023 President Krista Clark.
Another full day of inspiring and motivating sessions, including the keynote session by Tommy Choi: Lessons from My Dry Cleaner. Other topics included the ABC,123 Diversity Panel with top producing Realtors from across the US, a legal panel of top Iowa attorneys, engaging sessions for teams and brokers.
Check out photos from Thursday on Flickr.
The Inaugural Gala produced many unforgettable moments! The masquerade and black tie theme added to the excitement.
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Jen Burkamper was given the President’s Special Recognition Award by 2022 President, Byron Menke.
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Anthony Lyne was honored with the 2022 IAR REALTOR of the Year Award.
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Les Sulgrove was the recipient of the prestigious O.G. Powell / John Ballantyne Distinguished Service Award.
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Boston Cupples captured the hearts of the audience during his installation of his aunt, Krista Clark, the 2023 IAR President.
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The Pork Tornadoes capped off the night with an awesome concert!
View the photos and videos from the Inaugural Gala on Flickr.
Committee Highlights
IAR Committees met during the Convention. Great discussions and ideas were shared to help IAR improve and shape the future of the industry.
Communications Committee
- Discussed recent video projects and success on social media channels.
- Requested topic ideas from the committee and guests for future podcasts and videos.
- Encouraged Realtor members to use the recommended NAR Realtor Difference language in their interactions with clients and the public.
- Shared the transition of Universal Google Analytics to the new Google Analytics 4.
- Download the minutes from the meeting.
Diversity Committee
- Lender Forums - 4 across the state in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Council Bluffs, and Sioux City that addressed Fair Lending and DEI best practices.
- Chair Anthony Lyne recognized as DEI Emerging Leader of the Year by the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce and as the 2022 Iowa REALTOR of the Year.
- The 2023 Chair of the Diversity Committee will be Nora Crosthwaite.
- Download the minutes from the meeting.
Legislative Committee
The Legislative committee discussed the following topics to focus on for 2023.
- Working with legislators on property tax reform in 2023
- Homeowners' Associations (HOA) legislation for 2023
- Home Inspectors
- Homeowner Benefit Agreements
- Download the minutes from the meeting.
REALTOR® Party Committee
- Iowa is 95% of the way to their RPAC fundraising goal raising $435,000 so far and counting
- Iowa has 146 Major Investors nearly doubling their goal of 82
- 35 new Major Investors this year!
- Iowa has 31 President’s Circle members nearly 4x their goal of 8
- Iowa is at a 46% participation rate
- All President’s Cup and Triple Crown state goals are completed except overall dollar amount
- Download the minutes from the meeting.
Risk Management Committee
- Discussed the real estate teams and advertising bill and the implications of noncompliance.
- Recommended to the Legislative Committee a proposal to seek legislation to ban Homeowner Benefit Agreements.
- Discussed the impact of the DeSousa v. Iowa Realty Case on business practices and formed a workgroup to review potential best practices.
- Download the minutes from the meeting.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors meeting included several highlights.
2023 NAR President Kenny Parcell addressed the board by reminding everyone how fortunate we are to have the freedom and to own homes and enjoy the real estate as a career.
Candidates for 2024 NAR First Vice President
The two candidates for 2024 NAR First Vice President visited Iowa to speak to the Board of Directors asking for support in the upcoming May 2023 election.
Kevin Brown, a Realtor and broker/owner from California.
Leil Koch, a Realtor from Hawaii.
More Board of Directors business:
Remine Docs+ going live for almost every board in the next few months.
NoCoast MLS hired Les Sulgrove as its new MLS Director.
Motion to donate $25,000 to REALTOR relief for Florida and South Carolina, 2nd, motion carries.
Each IAR Committee gave a quick report.
Jeff Evans gave a report on the Iowa Real Estate Commission.
Download the minutes from the Board of Directors.