It's Not You; It's New!

Day 1 / May 17, 1-2pm, Sutherland Room

Day 2 / May 18, 3-4pm, Pinsent Room

Marki Lemons-Ryhal is a licensed Managing Broker, REALTOR®, avid volunteer, Major Donor, and 6X International Best-Selling Author. Marki Lemons-Ryhal is dedicated to all thing's real estate. With 30+ years of marketing experience, Marki has taught over 500,000 people (face-to-face and virtually) how to earn up to a 2682% return on their marketing dollars. Marki holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Chicago State University, a Master’s in Business Administration from Saint Xavier University, and sixty-four real estate-related licenses, certifications, and designations.

ChatGPT and AI Bots Are Coming for Your Job (and why that’s a good thing for Realtors)

Day 1 / May 17, 1-2pm, Pinsent Room

Day 2 / May 18, 3-4pm, Sutherland Room

Chris Linsell is The Close’s Senior Content Strategist and serves as one of the team’s resident experts on real estate topics ranging from marketing, lead generation, transactional best practices, and everything in between. As a licensed agent in the state of Michigan, Chris has been a part of hundreds of transactions from modest rural starter homes to massive waterside compounds. A sought-after speaker and educator, Chris has been a featured presenter at major real estate events such as the NAR Annual Conference, Tripleplay, REALTOR® QUEST, and more. When he isn’t writing, you’ll find Chris fly fishing the trout streams of Michigan or on the stage in his community theater’s latest production.

Deception Detection Techniques for REALTORS

Day 1 / May 17, 3-4pm, Pinsent Room

Day 2 / May 18, 3-4pm, Cohen Ballroom

Imagine what it would be like to live as a different person with a different name, identity, and background. For months at a time, you’re living with a false identity, and your success depends on building trust and detecting deception with some of the most dangerous people imaginable. That’s precisely what Pamela Barnum did for years working undercover in the Drug Enforcement Section. She learned real-world techniques for building trust and interpreting body language.

When Pamela graduated from law school, she left policing and accepted a position as a federal prosecuting attorney. She spent countless hours in the courtroom, perfecting her proficiency as a trust strategist and body language expert.

Following a successful 20-year career in the criminal justice system, Pamela studied corporate negotiations in graduate school. Now, she shares her expertise with others, teaching them how to improve their communication skills to increase trust inside corporations, associations, and law enforcement agencies.

As a nonverbal communication expert and trust strategist, Pamela delivers techniques once thought of as a “secret second language” that participants can begin using immediately.

Take decades of experience, including working deep undercover in narcotics, followed by a rewarding legal career, and you get real-world strategies that help participants crack the code on trust and improve professional relationships using proven field-tested techniques.

Pamela shares her experience, research, and expertise with humour, candor, and energy, blending actionable strategies with memorable stories.

She is also a featured expert and contributor in print media, radio and television news programs in Canada and the United States. She has appeared in person in front of audiences ranging from 50 to 12,000 and on countless virtual stages.

Legal Update - What's New

Day 1 / May 17, 1-2pm, Cohen Ballroom

Day 2 / May 18, 11am-12pm, Cohen Ballroom

Mark Weisleder is a senior partner at Real Estate Lawyers.ca LLP and has been practicing law for over 35 years. Mark’s books for real estate agents, buyers, sellers and landlords continue to be best sellers. Mark has appeared as a guest real estate expert on CTV, Global TV, BNN, City TV, CBC radio and Newstalk 1010 and has been quoted in each of Canada’s major national newspapers on real estate issues. Mark and the team at Real Estate Lawyers.ca LLP make real estate transactions simple with remote video signing service with their competitive flat rate legal fees, which complies with all social distancing guidelines so that you can do the entire real estate transaction from the comfort of your home.

Why Every Realtor Should Consider Podcasting or Podcast Advertising

Day 1 / May 17, 1-2pm, Waxman Room

Day 2 / May 18, 3-4pm, Berton Room

Doug Downs is the President of Stories and Strategies Inc, a Canadian-based podcast production, marketing, and advertising company. Born in Toronto, raised in Scarborough, Doug is an award-winning former radio and TV broadcaster. Subsequent to his broadcast career, he has spent over 20 years in public relations and marketing working with large corporations, politicians, and entrepreneurs, leading communications for projects valued in excess of $15B. He’s also provided presentation training to CEOs, Ted Talks speakers, and Olympic Athletes. Doug is a certified Strategic Communications Management Professional through the Global Communications Certification Council, the only ISO-recognized certification for communications professionals. There are currently less than 200 of these certifications globally. Through Stories and Strategies, his podcast clients (many of them REALTORS®) have received acclaim and recognition in publications such as the Toronto Star, CTV News, and Prezly.

Getting (The Right) Things Done

Day 1 / May 17, 3-4pm, Sutherland Room

Day 2 / May 18, 1-2pm, Waxman Room

Hamza Khan is a multi-award-winning marketer, bestselling author, and global keynote speaker whose TEDx talk Stop Managing, Start Leading has been viewed over a million times. He shares actionable insights on resilience, productivity, and leadership to help people and organizations thrive in the future of work. Through his consulting, writing, teaching and speaking, Khan empowers people and businesses to transform ideas into action.

From New York to Singapore, from Los Angeles to Sydney, Khan is a global thought leader who has spoken to hundreds of audiences across many industries, in numerous countries. His clients have included some of the world’s most dynamic companies and organizations, including PepsiCo, LinkedIn, Deloitte, PwC, Trivago, and over 100 colleges, and his insights have been featured by notable media outlets such as VICE, Business Insider, and The Globe and Mail. He is also the author of Amazon bestseller "The Burnout Gamble: Achieve More by Beating Burnout and Building Resilience".

Khan works alongside young people and new talent as Managing Director of Student Life Network, Canada’s largest and most comprehensive education resource platform, which reaches over 2.7 million students. He is also the co-founder of Splash Effect, a boutique marketing & creative agency, as well as SkillsCamp, a soft skills training company. As an educator, he is currently an instructor at Seneca College and Ryerson University, teaching courses on digital marketing and social media.

Cultivate a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace

Day 1 / May 17, 3-4pm, Waxman Room

Day 2 / May 18, 11am-12pm, Pinsent Room

As a young, black woman working as a lawyer on Bay Street, Dr. Hadiya Roderique delivered a wake-up call to corporate Canada in the form of her Globe and Mail feature essay, "Black on Bay Street.” Shared more than 13,000 times on Facebook, with the accompanying video watched more than 250,000 times, Roderique’s think piece sparked discussion in boardrooms across Canada. In her thought-provoking talks, she discusses barriers and challenges to diversity and inclusion, and counters those common arguments to show the power behind a diverse and inclusive workplace.

A graduate of the University of Toronto's Faculty of Law, Roderique is a researcher, consultant, broadcast commentator, and former podcast host. An award-winning writer, she has bylines in The Globe and Mail, The Walrus, the National Post, Chatelaine, and Maclean’s. She also holds an M.A. in Criminology, and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources Management from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management. As a researcher, she broadly examines how race, gender, and parenthood shape perceptions and relationships in the workplace.

In 2018, Roderique was named one of Canadian Lawyers' 25 Most Influential Lawyers, and she was recognized with the Rising Star award from the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers.

Understanding Our Negative Thoughts

Day 1 / May 17, 3-4pm, Berton Room

Day 2 / May 18, 1-2pm, Pinsent Room

One of Canada’s highest-rated clinical psychologists, Dr. Monica Vermani is a public speaker, teacher, and author in the field of mental health and wellness. In her private practice, Dr. Vermani provides a multi-faceted treatment approach in treating adolescents and adults suffering from trauma/abuse, mood, anxiety, substance addictions, and other related conditions and disorders, as well as family and couples therapy. She employs a dynamic range of techniques and evidence-based treatment modalities, including psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, (CBT), Mindfulness Meditation – Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)/Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Breath~Body~Mind (BBM), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprogramming (EMDR).

Dr. Vermani’s Start Living Corporate Wellness programs were created out of her belief in the importance of good mental health in the workplace. Start Living Corporate Wellness programs support and facilitate individuals’ efforts to overcome the barriers that prevent them from living their best and most authentic life.

Dr. Vermani’s game-changing Start Living Corporate Wellness programs address the underlying mental health issues that impact individual employees and teams. Through a dynamic suite of psycho-education, training, and support, Start Living Corporate Wellness programs keep employees engaged, supported, happy, and whole.

Spring Annual Meeting

Day 1 / May 17, 9am-12.30pm, Hall B

Mike is a global real estate tech strategist, and a scholar-in-residence at the University of Colorado Boulder. He is internationally recognized as an expert and thought-leader in real estate tech. His evidence-based analysis is widely read by global leaders, and he is a sought-after strategy and new ventures consultant. His research and insights have featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and The Economist.

TRREB Reception

Day 1 / May 17, 4.30pm-6pm, Cohen Ballroom

If you dream of inspiring cult-like brand loyalty—the kind that involves mile-long queues and even permanent tattoos— then Johnny "Cupcakes" Earle is for you. The founder of the world-renowned tee-shirt brand Johnny Cupcakes, Johnny’s known for helping people create blueprints for building brand loyalty, creating memorable experiences, and inspiring innovation.

With global store openings, thousands of customers with his logo tattooed on themselves, people who camp out for his products, and high-profile collaborations with giants such as The Simpsons, Power Rangers, and Nickelodeon, Johnny was named "America’s #1 Young Entrepreneur" by Business Week, "Top Innovator in Retail" by The Boston Globe, and featured in INC magazine as the CEO of one of the world’s fastest growing independent businesses.

Despite being in one of the most difficult product categories to stand-out in, and a founder of a brand when he was just 19 years old, Johnny’s solution to his business challenges was to create such a unique brand experience that his customers would loyally line-up around the block, time and time again, just to be able to sport his logo on their clothing.

Since then, through his talks and creative consulting, Johnny has shared his strategies with clients that include Apple, L’Oreal, Disney, IBM, Audi, Harvard University, Wieden+Kennedy, Marriott, and P&G.

Also a TEDx speaker, Johnny has been featured in media such as MTV, NPR, Forbes, WIRED, Newsweek, and as a case study in several branding and business books.

Keynote Speaker

Day 1 / May 17, 2pm-2:30pm, Hall B

Billie Jean King is the founder of the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative. She has long been a champion for social change and equality. King created new inroads for all genders in sports and beyond during her legendary career and she continues to make her mark today.

King was named one of the "100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century" by Life Magazine and, in 2009, in recognition of her work as a social justice pioneer and her accomplishments in sports, President Obama awarded her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. In 2020, King became the first woman to have an annual global team sports event named in her honor when Fed Cup, the women’s world cup of tennis, was rebranded as the Billie Jean King Cup. Her memoir, ALL IN: An Autobiography, published by Knopf in August 2021, is garnering rave reviews.

In 2014, King, and her partner Ilana Kloss, launched the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative to address equality and inclusion issues in the workplace. In 2018, King and Kloss were named to the ownership group of the Los Angeles Dodgers and in 2019 King’s deep Southern California roots were recognized with the opening of the Billie Jean King Main Library in her hometown of Long Beach, California. In 2020 King was honored with the release of the Billie Jean King Barbie doll, part of Mattel’s Inspiring Women Series, and joined the ownership groups of the Los Angeles Sparks and Angel City FC.

King grew up playing tennis in the California public parks and won 39 Grand Slam titles during her career. She helped form the Virginia Slims Series and founded the Women’s Tennis Association. She defeated Bobby Riggs in one of the greatest moments in sports history – the Battle of the Sexes on Sept. 20, 1973.

In 2017, Fox Searchlight released the critically acclaimed film, Battle of the Sexes, starring Academy Award® winner Emma Stone as King and Academy Award® nominee Steve Carrell as Bobby Riggs, which depicts both players’ battles on and off the court as well as the cultural and social impact of the groundbreaking match.

In 1974, King co-founded World TeamTennis, the revolutionary professional team tennis league. That same year she also founded the Women’s Sports Foundation. In August 2006, the National Tennis Center, home of the US Open, was renamed the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in honor of her accomplishments on and off the court. In 2014, President Obama named King to the Presidential Delegation for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. In 2018 King received a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards. In 2019 ESPN established the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award, which is presented annually at the network’s Sports Humanitarian Awards ceremony. King is an inaugural member of the advisory council to the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, serves on the board of the Women’s Sports Foundation, is an adidas Global Ambassador, is a past member of the board of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and a past member of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition.

REALM™ Mobile: 5 ways REALM™ helps you manage and win business from anywhere

Day 1 / May 17, 1pm-2pm, Etrog Room

Day 2 / May 18, 11am-12pm, Etrog Room
Day 2 / May 18, 1pm-2pm, Berton Room

Theresa Corindia is the Training Program Leader for Real Estate Solution at Teranet Inc.

She joined Teranet 25 years ago as a contributor to the Land Registry Implementation project and has also held roles in the Customer Service department where she became a top representative and helped to shape support. 

As the Training Program Leader, Theresa has been instrumental at ensuring client success through the development and facilitation of a robust training curriculum for GeoWarehouse® and REALM™.

MPAC Assessment 101 for REALTORS®

Day 1 / May 17, 3pm-4pm, Etrog Room

Day 2 / May 18, 11am-12pm, Berton Room

For over 10 years, Max has been an experienced consultant and influencer within the property valuation and real estate space. Driven by relationship building and client success, Max is well-known within the leadership space, providing training and insights to large audiences for over 250 in-person and over 500 virtual events. Through his experience in the Appraisal and Assessment industries, Max has worked with a wide variety of Real Estate professionals including REALTORS®, Appraisers and Mortgage Brokers.

In addition to his primary role as a Sales Account Executive, Max is known for prioritizing relationship management and has been recognized by others throughout the industry for his diligent work, solutions-oriented approach and passion for working with others.

Keynote Speaker

Day 2 / May 18, 1pm-2pm, Hall B

Dr. Bernice A. King is a global thought leader, strategist, solutionist, orator, peace advocate, and CEO of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center For Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center), which was founded by her mother as the official living memorial to the life, work, and legacy of her father. In this position, Bernice continues to advance her parents’ legacy of nonviolent social change through policy, advocacy, research, as well as education & training through the Kingian philosophy of nonviolence, which she re-branded Nonviolence365™️ (NV365).

Through her work at The King Center, she educates youth and adults around the world about the nonviolent principles and strategies modeled by her parents. Under her leadership, the Center has implemented numerous initiatives reaching over 500,000 people around the world, including the Beloved Community Leadership Academy, Students with King, NV365 Education & Training, and The Beloved Community Talks, a courageous conversations platform about the difficult racial and social justice issues impacting our world.  Dr. King led the development of an NV365 certification program for trainers, which provides individuals with the opportunity to teach the NV365 curriculum on behalf of The King Center. She is an instructor for the program and a trainer.

Dr. King holds a Doctorate of Law from Emory University, a Master of Divinity Degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Spellman College.  She also received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Wesley College and Clinton College. From 1990 to 1992, she served as a law clerk for Judge Glenda Hatchett, the Chief Judge of The Fulton County Juvenile Detention Court. She served for seven years as an Assistant Pastor of Greater Rising Star Baptist Church in Atlanta where she organized and developed several new ministries. In 2007, she established the Be A King Scholarship in honor of her mother at Spelman College. Dr. King spearheaded the 2013 “Let Freedom Ring” event commemorating the 50th - Anniversary of The March on Washington and her father’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The global event included President Barack Obama, President Bill Clinton, and President Jimmy Carter, members of Congress, as well as many other international leaders, dignitaries, and entertainers.

In March 2018, Dr. King was fortunate to have a private audience with his holiness, Pope Francis. As an alumna of Leadership Atlanta (class of 2020,) she effectively utilized her influence to encourage Atlanta Business leaders to become more active in support of major racial equity and social justice issues, including the successful passage of Georgia's Hate Crime legislation. Dr. King has received numerous awards and recognitions. Recently she received an honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Humane Letters) from her alma mater, Spelman College and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Grinnell College. In 2021, the Atlanta Business Chronicle Lifetime Achievement Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Additionally, The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation honored her in 2020 with their highest award, The Phoenix Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to society. As a noted author, she has to her credit, “Hard Questions, Heart Answers,” as well as a children’s book entitled “It Starts with Me,” which is a part of The King Center’s Be Love movement.

She is a licensed attorney and member of the State Bar of Georgia; a certified Mediator with the State of Georgia; a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, the International Women’s Forum (IWF), the National Council of Negro Women; a Board member of the National Black Bank Foundation as well as Faith and Prejudice.

Dr. King is an innovative, inspirational, and transformational leader. She is dedicated to ensuring that her parents’ legacy and teachings, The King Center, as well as the work of creating the Beloved Community, with Nonviolence365 as the pathway, are introduced to new generations of influencers.