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2026 Fall Conference in Spokane: Were You in the Room?

Three days in Spokane. Two leaders elected. $100,000 committed to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation. The 2026 Washington REALTORS® Fall Conference, September 23–25, is where a lot of the association's real work happens. Here's what you missed if you weren't in the room.

Day 1: Wednesday, September 23


General Session

We kicked off the week with updates from WR leadership and a look at what's ahead for the association, plus heard a fantastic presentation from NAR Director of Leadership Communications Mavourneen Bzdil, a strategic executive communications leader with more than 20 years of experience helping senior leaders translate strategy into clear, credible stories that move organizations, industries, and stakeholders forward.

Luncheon with Patrick Galvin

TEDx speaker and Galvanizing Group co-founder Patrick Galvin joined us over lunch and shared how better relationships drive personal and professional growth in his presentation "Galvanize Your Life and Business Through Better Relationships." 

Want to keep learning? Members can still access the complimentary books Patrick mentioned during his session with promo code WAREALTOR.

RPAC Trustees

RPAC continues to make progress toward its 2026 fundraising and Major Investor goals, with participation exceeding its goal and the REALTOR® Champions Club nearing its pledge target. Trustees also reviewed Champions Club conference feedback, received an overview of the General Election, and considered funding for local independent expenditures.

Legislative Steering Committee

The committee dug into 2027 Legislative session planning, including member-generated policy ideas and the new Legislative Steering Workgroup, while the WR lobby team briefed members on the 2027–2029 state budget outlook, housing and land-use policy, and consumer and business issues.

Regional Roundtables

Members from every region brought local issues to the table, including homeowners insurance costs, natural gas requirements and affordability, wildfire and disaster relief, water rights, and new construction transparency. This is where member concerns are  gathered for delivery to the Board of Directors on Friday. 


Day 2: Thursday, September 24

Membership Core Committee

WR Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons shared legal  guidance on handling unexpected challenges she’s seeing in the industry right now, and a panel of restoration, insurance, lending, and Washington State Department of Natural Resources experts broke down wildfire impacts, risk, and how to better prepare homes and clients. The Awards, Communications, and Education committee chairs also reported on their recent initiatives. 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee

Barry Long, CEO of Able Environments and the 2026 NAR Fair Housing Champion, shared how Washington is helping redefine accessibility in real estate. Watch his Fair Housing Champion Award video, and take advantage of the resources he shared during his presentation: 

Latrice Williams, President of the Eastern Washington Realtist/NAREB, then gave an Affinity Partner Spotlight, and the committee covered the Margo Wheeler Grant, committee applications, and the Dues Sponsorship Program.

NAR Directors

NAR Vice President of Advocacy Asa Fleming and Region 12 RVP Drew Coleman joined the meeting to share national updates, the committee discussed local and national issues impacting them in and directors selected Kristi Sundquist as the NAR NXT Washington Caucus facilitator.

Executive Committee:

This is where WR leaders put the association's resources to work. Four motions carried:

  • Adopted the Budget Strategies Workgroup Final Report, which shows WR in a strong financial position with $13.5 million in assets, a paid-off building, and healthy Operating and Excess Operating Reserves. 
  • Proposed a $50,000 contribution to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation from WR Excess Operating Reserves to be approved by the Board of Directors. 
  • Approved $50,000 from the Issues Fund for the Whatcom County Association of REALTORS®' ongoing water rights coalition work. 
  • Proposed Phase One of a Beyond Booth Consulting corporate partnership strategy, not to exceed $29,500, to develop a non-dues revenue program for WR, to be approved by the Board of Directors.

The meeting wrapped with Government Affairs providing an interim legislative session update, and Communications reporting on Designated Broker outreach.

Day 3: Friday, September 25: Board of Directors Meeting

The Board of Directors met Friday morning, and NAR Vice President of Advocacy Asa Fleming joined as guest speaker. The Board increased the Executive Committee's proposed contribution to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation from $50,000 to $100,000 to support ongoing disaster relief, and approved the corporate partnership strategy that will help WR build a non-dues revenue program. The agenda also included the 2027 Executive Committee appointees, the 2027 WR Strategic Plan, Committee Business Plans, and Budget, and the elections below.

Elections

Congratulations to Cheyenne Gillooly, elected 2027 First Vice President, and Alisha Harrison, elected NAR Director. Cheyenne is a member of the Seattle King County REALTORS® and Alisha is with the Mason County Association of REALTORS®. 

 

See You at the Next One

Budgets get set, leaders get elected, and next year's priorities take shape at these meetings. If you weren't in Spokane, we hope to see you next time. 

Mark your calendar for Legislative Days, January 27–28, 2027 at Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, and Spring Conference, April 14–16, 2027 at the Hilton Vancouver. Details are coming soon, and you'll want to be there.