Frequently Asked Questions
Clark County, Nevada, has seen a dramatic rise in COVID cases and the greatest numbers since the beginning of 2021. The positivity rate, which had hit a low of 3.3% on June 9, reached a peak of 16.3% last week. Less than half of eligible Nevada residents 12+ have been vaccinated.
The Board had an obvious concern about the safety and potential health risks of attendees, especially those with immune deficiencies.
When the Alliance drafted the contract with our host hotel, we made certain to include language that would allow us to cancel because of COVID as “Force Majeure Provisions” became standard.
We have incurred expenses, mostly in compensating our event planning group for their work up until this point. We have been thrilled with their effort and they have been more than understanding with us. We look forward to working with them again next year. We also have had some design, promotion and advertising costs.
Even with the current COVID concerns, we were expecting about 20-25% of membership to attend along with so many affiliated with our partners.
Yes. We are contracted to be at Las Vegas Hilton at Resorts World next fall. Carson Kressley, Kristine W. and Dominique Jackson have already shared that, schedule permitting, they want to be with us next year!
We are still working with our event planning group on these details. As soon as they are known, we will reach out to all who registered to start the FULL refund process.
All who booked rooms within the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance room block MUST cancel their rooms 72 hours prior to check in. The hotel reservation line is 1-702-676-7000. You can also cancel directly via your confirmation from the Hilton at Resorts World.
The Premier LGBTQ+ Real Estate &
Housing Industry Conference
Have something to add to the show?
Limited breakout session speaking/presenting opportunities are available for the convention. All applications submitted by April 12, 2021, will be considered and evaluated. Selected speakers will be notified the week of April 19 to confirm. Speakers are responsible for their own travel and accommodations. Click here to submit an application!
Vendor? Exhibitor? Or, just have some cool stuff to share?
These are selling fast – Please contact immediately.
Limited exhibitor vendor registrations are still available for the Expo. Additionally, limited 2021 Convention sponsorship is still available, but cannot be held nor guaranteed due to the pace at which they’re being spoken for. Please contact [email protected]
The Agenda
11:00a-12:00pm
Board of Directors Q3 Meeting
12:30p – 1:30pm
Chapter Presidents Lunch Meeting (Closed)
1:00pm
Hotel Check in available
1:30p – 2:30p
Mortgage Advisory Council Meeting (Closed)
1:30p – 2:30p
Policy & Advocacy Council Meeting (Closed)
3:00-5:00pm
Alliance Certified Ally Training (Public Admission)
3:00-7:00pm
Conference Registration opens
4:30 – 6:00p
Expo Opens
4:30 – 5:30p
Strategic Networking Seminar – University of Phoenix (Open)
7:00pm
Welcome Reception by National Association of Realtors – Rose Rooftop
- Join the National Association of Realtors® leadership team as they toast to the official kick-off of the 2021 LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance Conference & Convention, “Experience: The Alliance.” A special welcome to the State of Nevada will be given by Nevada Realtors CEO, Teresa McKee. This rooftop networking session will feature a stunning view of the Strip, provide light house music, and guests will be able to enjoy cocktails, mocktails, and light cocktail party hors d’oeuvres.
7:30-9:00am
Expo Opens
7:30-9:00am
Breakfast – Continental
8:00-9:00am
Registration & 2022 Officer Voting Opens (E-Vote)
9:00am
Opening Welcome (Emcee Carson Kressley & Alliance CEO, Ryan Weyandt)
9:15am
President’s Address (Alliance National President, John Thorpe)
- “It Takes A Village to Build a Village”
9:35am
LGBTQ Leadership – Anthony Hitt, CEO of Engel & Volkers Americas
- Description To Be Announced
9:45am
How To Make a Meaningful Impression in Today’s Media Environment – Matt Gentile, Managing Director at MyBFF Social
- Description To Be Announced
10:10a
WERK The Room – Brad Speck
- Develop the confidence and skills you need to be successful at networking by applying the principles of Improvisational Comedy.
10:30am
All Things Mortgage into 2022 – Tim Wilson, CEO of Prosperity Home Mortgage
- Description To Be Announced
10:55am
Women in Business – Tami Bonnell, CEO of EXIT Realty
- Description To Be Announced
11:10am
Rainmaker Roundtable – How Our Top Agents Made The List
- This is YOUR opportunity to ask some of our top performing agents how they got there. This session will be open to all attendees, but moderated for time.
11:40am
Real Estate and the Value of Diverse Segments – James Huang, President of eXp Commercial
- Description To Be Announced
12:00pm-12:20pm
Break/voting/Expo
12:20pm-1:20pm
Luncheon Keynote – “The Corona-Economy and Housing Market Rebound”- Mark Fleming, Chief Economist, First American Title
Join us Thursday, September 23rd as Mark Fleming, Chief Economist with First American Title provides us with expert insights, research, and market trends in today’s unique housing market. This is your opportunity to hear Mark discuss:
- How this recession was different and how the recovery is measuring up
- The depth of the shortest recession in modern American history
- Remaining challenges in the recovery
1:20-1:45pm
Ryan Gorman – President & CEO, Coldwell Banker
- Description To Be Announced
1:45-2:00pm
Shannon McGahn – Chief Advocacy Officer, National Association of Realtors
- Description To Be Announced
2:00-2:15pm
“Beyond the Binary” – Caitlin (CJ) Jones
- Exploring the life of a non-binary person and the value of inclusivity in your business.
2:10p – 2:20p
Breakout Introduction
Breakout sessions #1 (Pre-Registration Required)
- Alliance Certified Ally course (intended for Allies) – 75 people maximum
- Alex Cruz, Alliance National Vice President & Instructor
- Understanding the Acronym and Identities
- Caitlin Jones, Alliance Tampa Chapter President & Instructor
- Cultural Q&A: Clear Answers To Tough Questions During the Real Estate Transaction
- Darryl Freeman – Market Integration Manager, First American Title Co.
- Have you ever been confronted with a multicultural situation that throws you for a loop? Have you ever experienced a cultural clash and did not know how to react? We’ll answer some of the most common questions we’ve received from real estate practitioners around the country with clear, concise answers you. Join us to learn about clear communication, building relationships, and much more.
- Darryl Freeman – Market Integration Manager, First American Title Co.
- Creating A Diverse Business Plan
- How to Break Into and Dominate Selling Higher End Homes in Your Market
3:20pm
Break/Shift
3:30pm
Breakout Sessions #2 (Pre-Registration Required)
- Alliance Certified Ally course (intended for Allies) – 75 people maximum
- Alex Cruz, Alliance National Vice President & Instructor
- Understanding the Acronym and Identities
- Caitlin Jones, Alliance Tampa Chapter President & Instructor
- Making a Splash!
- TBA
- TBD – Realogy
- TBD – Realogy
4:20pm
Break/Shift
4:30pm
Breakout Sessions #3 (Pre-Registration Required)
- Alliance Certified Ally course (intended for Allies) – 75 people maximum
- Alex Cruz, Alliance National Vice President & Instructor
- Understanding the Acronym and Identities
- Caitlin Jones, Alliance Tampa Chapter President & Instructor
- Importance of Team Member Networks
- TBA, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices/Home Services of America
- Connecting the Dots – State of the Housing Market, Future Homebuyer Trends and Business Solutions
- Sam Luna – Sr. Director, Single Family Affordable Lending – Freddie Mac
- Hear the latest market trends, changing home buyer demographics and practical business solutions that will grow your business.
- Sam Luna – Sr. Director, Single Family Affordable Lending – Freddie Mac
- Community of Change (Panel)
- John Thorpe – 2021 Alliance President
5:20pm
Gather Back in Blossom Ballroom for VACAYA Cruise Drawing then Dismissed
7:00pm
Evening Reception & Entertainment Ayu Dayclub (Celeb Guests TBA)
7:30-9:00am
Expo Open
8:00a
Breakfast – Buffet
The Alliance’s JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) Team Proudly Presents: “An Egguitable Breakfast”
- Inform:
- Octavius Smiley-Humphries welcomes. Kimberly Davis gives and overview of expectations. Kenya Burrell-VanWormer, Senior Vice President, Diversity at T360 and Executive Director of the Real Estate Apprentice Foundation sits down with Ann Dyste, VP of DEI Business Integration for U.S. Bank to discuss the business case for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Impact:
- Laurie Benner, Associate VP of Programs for the National Fair Housing Alliance discusses fair housing laws and the impact of advocacy, particularly post President Biden’s Executive Orders earlier this year
- Inspire:
- Hear from Mike Zinicola, Realtor and Founder of the LGBT+ Housing Initiative, will speak to opportunities and challenges facing members of the LGBTQ+ community, most notably the epidemic of homeless youth
7:30-9:00am
Registration
9:00am
Opening Session – Carson Kressley
9:15am
“The Anatomy of Top Performers” with Gino Blefari – President & CEO, Homeservices Of America; Chairman HSF Affiliates
Learn the Skills and Disciplines It Takes to Successfully Lead Yourself, Your Business and Teams
9:35am
Mortgage Roundtable: Let’s Talk About Mortgage Discrimination
- Kimber White – Moderator; President, National Association of Mortgage Brokers
- Kay Marshall – Panelist; SVP, Capital Markets Client Strategy Manager, Truist
- Sodi Nichols – Panelist; VP, National Strategic Markets & Affordable Lending, U.S. Bank
- Maxwell Koizal – Panelist; Executive Director, Sr. Lending Manager, J.P. Morgan Chase
10:05am
Dave Walsh – President, California Association of Realtors
- Description To Be Announced
10:20am
TBA
- Description To Be Announced
10:50am
Sherry Chris – CEO, Realogy Expansion Brands
Sherry Chris was recently named to the RIS Newsmakers Hall of Fame and she has seen the real estate industry from so many different angles over her illustrious real estate career. Sherry, who is the executive sponsor of Realogy’s Real Pride employee resource group, will share how real estate has evolved and remained the same over the last several decades. She will also showcase how we can all prepare for the next chapter in consumer demand, behavior and engagement.
11:05am
“A Decade In The Real Estate Closet To Vogue”: A Heart-to-Heart with Feroza Syed
- Meet Feroza Syed, one of the most inspiring and fascinating people in the real estate industry. She began her real estate career by over a decade of work in the closet as a transgender woman who has now blossomed into a top agent with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty. Along the way, Feroza has become a fierce advocate for the LBGTQ+, TGNC, and AAPI communities and worked diligently with numerous organizations to help elect President Biden and two Democratic Senators in Georgia. The Grand Marshall of the 2019 Atlanta Pride Festival has done so well she worked her way into the pages of Vogue, being featured for working with THC (Trans Housing Coalition.)
11:25am
Awards – Drew Griffin Beacon of Light Award and Tribute / Ally of the Year / Top Agent
12:35am
Break
12:45pm
Keynote Luncheon – Speaker TBA
- Description To Be Announced
1:05pm
“To Each Their Home: Confronting LGBTQ+ Housing Bias and Discrimination” – Mickey Neuberger, Chief Marketing Officer, Realtor.com
- Members of the LGBTQ+ community are less likely to own a home than the general population, and many face housing discrimination on a variety of fronts. Realtor.com Chief Marketing Officer Mickey Neuberger will share insights from a recent Realtor.com-LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance survey, including recommendations for how conference participants can best support members of this community and opportunities to collaborate moving forward to confront bias and dissemination in housing and homeownership head-on.
1:35pm
Break – meet & greet in Expo area / vote closed
2:20pm
“I am Woman; and I’m not Sorry” – Kristi Hemmer
- Description To Be Announced
2:30pm
The Value of Owning a Real Estate Franchise (panel)
- Mike Reagan – Moderator – SVP, Industry Relations & Global Growth & Development, RE/MAX
- Mark Brenneman – Panelist – Divisional Leader, Keller Williams
- Troy Reierson – Panelist – VP of Business Development, HSF Affiliates, A Division of HomeServices of America
- Peter Luft – Panelist – VP of Franchise Sales, RE/MAX
3:10pm
Caliber Home Loans & Modern Military Association of America reveal breaking 2021 VA & Military Homeownership Survey
3:40pm
Empowering Differences – Ashley T. Brundage
3:55pm
Our Gay History in 50 States – Zaylore Stout
4:25pm
Cultural Keynote – Dominique Jackson
Model, Actress, Author, Advocate and Activist Dominique Jackson is best known for her leading role of Elektra Abundance on the FX television series Pose. From fleeing persecution as a transgender woman in her home country of Trinidad and Tobago to starring in television hits, Dominique Jackson has seen it all. After experiencing homelessness and rejection from her own family, Jackson has used her success to shed light on the challenges transgender women like herself too often face.
4:45pm
Closing
- 2022 Preview with 2021 President-Elect, Dave Gervase
- 2022 Final Announcements – Alliance CEO, Ryan Weyandt
5:00pm
Dismiss
7:00pm
President’s Ball –Dress-To-Impress/Masked Ball – Zouk Nightclub
- Election results announced at opening
The Alliance realizes that our Members each have their own story. We meet our members where they are, how they are and for who they are. It is with that spirit in mind that non-alcoholic beverage options will be available at any/all evening events. Further, the Alliance is working with the Southern Nevada LGBTQ Center to provide confidential, safe spaces on-site for both AA and NA meetings to occur during the course of the stay in Vegas. Finally, all restrooms throughout the conference space will be gender-neutral and labeled as such. Gender-specific restrooms will be available on the Casino level and in the Hotel towers for those who prefer. Additional details on any of the above mentioned items will be available upon request closer to the event, or by reaching out to [email protected]
Keynotes, Industry Speakers, additional breakout sessions, and more details will be announced throughout the next week.
Additional announcements to be made over the next several weeks.
We Are Proud To Introduce:
Resorts World Las Vegas, Opening June 24, 2021
Frequently Asked Questions
YES – you must cancel 72 hours prior to your arrival to receive a refund. After 72 hours the reservation is non-refundable.
YES – you can request the rate between September 20 – 26, 2021. Room requests outside of September 22-25, 2021 are subject to availability for the group rate.
Wednesday – Opening Reception – Business Casual
Thursday – Evening Reception and Entertainment – Resort Casual
Friday – President’s Masked Ball – Formal Attire
No – you are responsible for your own transportation.
We would like to have everyone registered by September 15, 2021.
YES – you can register on the website to be an exhibitor.
YES – we have a number of sponsorship opportunities. Please register for the conference and indicate you are interested in sponsoring. If you are unable to attend the conference but would still like to sponsor, please contact [email protected]
Please contact Ryan for more information.
- Raffle. Raffle for a cruise vacation, through VACAYA, for two individuals on the November 2021 sailing of a New Orleans 5-star American Duchess Paddlewheller cruise: Hereinafter “Raffle”.
- NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO WIN. Attendance of the Alliance Conference automatically enrolls attendees in the Raffle, no purchase or payment improves chances of winning.
- Eligibility. The Raffle is open to all natural persons who attend the Alliance Conference, are legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia, are at least 18 years old as of August 1, 2021. The Raffle is void outside of the 50 United States. The Raffle is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited by law.
- Sponsorship. The Raffle is sponsored by LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance and VACAYA (collectively “Sponsor”). Sponsor and its respective affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, assigns, agents, representatives, officers, directors, shareholders and employees, and any entity involved in the development, production, implementation of the Raffle, including, but not limited to, the immediate family members of such individuals, are not eligible to participate. Sponsor will conduct the Raffle substantially as described in these Official Rules.
- Entry. Registration of attendance at the Alliance Conference automatically enters attendees in the Raffle.
- Opt-Out. Attendees of the Alliance Conference can opt-out of the Raffle at any time by contacting Sponsor via email at _________.
- Limitation on Entry. No third-party entry or corporate entry is permitted. Any person who uses, attempts, or otherwise encourages false contact information will be disqualified.
- Raffle Prize. One (1) singular prize will be awarded, which consists only of: One (1) balcony stateroom on VACAYA New Orleans Cruise (“Raffle Prize”), allowing a maximum of two (2) passengers. All other expenses not specifically mentioned herein are solely the Winner’s responsibility. Winner and guest (“Winners”) are responsible for the following, non-exhaustive, list of expenses: airfare to/from New Orleans, Port Taxes (approx. $347), Prepaid Gratuities (approx. $156 per person) transfer, meals while in pre-cruise hotel, onboard charges, and optional excursions. Winners may be required to provide a valid credit card as part of the Raffle Prize to cover incidentals not covered by the Raffle Prize. The Raffle Prize has an approximate retail value of $7,994.00 USD. Winner is solely responsible for any federal, state and local taxes. Winner must provide Sponsor with a valid Social Security number before the Raffle Prize will be awarded. A Form 1099 will be issued to the Raffle Prize winner.
- Additional Raffle Prize Limitations. The Raffle Prize has no cash value and may not be refunded, redeemed in any manner, it cannot be resold or transferred to any other person or entity. Raffle Prize participants must be at least 21 years old to travel unrestricted. Raffle Prize Winners between 18 and 21 must be accompanied by someone 25 years of age or older. Winner agrees to accept the Raffle Prize “as-is”, and expressly agrees and acknowledges that LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance is in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation, or guarantee relative to the Raffle Prize. Additional terms and conditions may be imposed by third-parties, including, but not limited to airline, hotel etc. for which Sponsor shall not be responsible or liable.
- Drawing. The Winner will be selected in a random drawing from among all eligible entries as described in Paragraph 5 above. Selection of the winner will take place on or around the completion of the Alliance Conference. The drawing will be conducted by Sponsor, whose decisions and interpretations on all matters related to the Raffle and these Official Rules are final and binding in all respects. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any entrant or winner and may refuse to award a prize to a person who is not eligible or has violated a rule, gained unfair advantage in the Raffle, or obtained winner status using fraudulent means. If there is a dispute about the identity of an entrant, the Raffle Prize will be awarded to the natural person to whom the email address is assigned in the winner’s registration for the Alliance Conference. If the winner is found to be ineligible or not in compliance with the Raffle rules, the winner will be disqualified and an alternate winner will be awarded the Raffle Prize in a separate random drawing. The winner will be notified by telephone. Inability of Sponsor to contract winner by telephone within seventy-two (72) hours after selection, may result in disqualification of winner and an alternate winner may be selected in a random drawing at Sponsor’s discretion. Instructions for claiming the Raffle Prize will be provided to the winner upon confirmation of their identity and eligibility at Sponsor’s discretion.
- Odds. The Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received, according to the eligibility requirements in the Raffle.
- Warning. ANY ATTEMPT BY ANY PERSON, WHETHER OR NOT AN ENTRANT, TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE, DESTROY, TAMPER WITH OR VANDALIZE ANY SPONSOR-OWNED WEBSITE OR MOBILE APPLICATION OR RELATED SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE, THE ENTRY PROCESS, OR OTHERWISE INTERFERE WITH OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE RAFFLE, MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES AND DILIGENTLY PURSUE ALL REMEDIES AGAINST ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
- General Terms. By entering this Raffle, you promise to abide by the Official Rules and decisions of Sponsor, which will be final and binding in all respects. Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to refuse, disqualify or withdraw an entry at any time. Sponsor will not be responsible for any injury, damage or loss of any kind arising out of your participation in the Raffle. YOU AGREE TO RELEASE, DISCHARGE, AND HOLD HARMLESS SPONSOR, ITS AFFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES, EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, AGENTS AND ASSIGNS FROM AND AGAINST ANY OR ALL CLAIMS, LOSSES, INJURIES, OR DAMAGES RESULTING ION ANY WAY FROM PARTICIPATION IN THE RAFFLE OR RAFFLE PRIZE. Except where prohibited by law, by accepting prize, winner grants Sponsor a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license to use winner’s name, photograph, voice, and/or likeness without further authorization, compensation, or remuneration of any kind for advertising, promotion and other publicity purposes in any and all media now or hereafter known throughout the world.
- Winner’s Name. The name of the winner is available only within seven (7) days after a winner has been selected. To receive the name of the winner, where permitted by law, or a printed copy of the Raffle Office Rules, please contact Sponsor by email at ______
These Official Rules may be Amended in Sponsor’s sole discretion.
