Jef Conn

By Jef Conn

The 2019 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo have wrapped up, and if you weren’t able to attend, here’s just a glimpse of what you missed related to YPN.

The friendships. When you walk into the YPN Advisory Board meeting at an NAR convention, you’ll notice a significant difference from other committees. Everyone is there for one another. Hugs happen with just about every other person you meet. It’s a thing—YPNers care deeply for each other and I believe it’s the only meeting where hugging is more common than handshakes.

Photo by Joseph Magsaysay.

The business. The YPN Advisory Board was able to meet in person in January to kick off the year to prepare for the work at the midyear meeting on May 14 in Washington D.C. Thank you to NAR leadership for approving that January meeting. We focused on our group projects to help bring value to YPN. Each advisory board member serves on a subcommittee, and we’re looking at how YPN is impacting the real estate industry. We have exciting plans for this data in the future! These subcommittees will help leverage the YPN network to show our strength and impact.

The involvement. Every advisory board member also sits on another NAR committee as a YPN Liaison. This gives the YPN Advisory Board insight on all aspects of the NAR organization. It also helps YPN members be seen and heard, and continue to make a broader impact on the association. The advisory board members shared updates from each of their corresponding committees during the meeting. We wrapped up meeting with a “fish bowl” round table where we learned not just from advisory board members, but from attendees in the audience as well. Topics ranged from growing YPN to association leadership to  running a successful business while serving. In addition, 100% of the YPN Advisory Board has invested in RPAC.

The networking. The annual YPN networking event was held at The Park on 14th in Washington D.C.—an awesome two-story meeting area. YPN members from around the country stopped by to enjoy some food and drinks, but more importantly, to talk to one another. We met new friends, caught up with old friends, and exchanged ideas on how to be a YPN leader and how to build or improve our YPN networks back home.

Throughout the week there were impromptu meetups, dinners, and boat trips with YPN members. But it’s not all social while in D.C. YPN members were actively engaged in other committees and participating in the large meetings on advocacy. YPN members met with their elected officials during Hill visits, advocating with one voice to ensure senators and representatives know “Who We R.”

If you missed the conference, I recommend you make plans to attend the following events:

• YPN Leadership Retreat, Chicago, Aug. 15-16
• 2019 REALTORS® Conference & Expo, San Francisco, Nov. 8-11

We always have a fun, productive, and impactful meetings, so grab a friend and join us at the next one!

Jef Conn, CCIM, SIOR, is a commercial agent specializing in industrial, office, and investment properties with Coldwell Banker Commercial in Lubbock, Texas. Jef  served as the 2017 president of his local association and currently serves as Region 1 vice president and executive board member for Texas REALTORS®. Connect with Jef on LinkedIn or via email: JConn@CBCWorldwide.com