The Alabama Center for Real Estate is pleased to announce that the third annual ACREres residential conference and expo will be held on Thursday, February 7, 2019, at The Club in Birmingham. The 2019 conference theme is “Leading EDGE – Explore, Discover, Grow, Engage”
“Real estate is a dynamic and fast-paced industry,” said ACRE Director of Education, Marketing and Communication Cherie Moman. “The ACREres 2019 theme is about upskilling to excel in a constantly evolving environment. Making just one change today can have a huge impact on your future.”
ACREres’ theme is reflected in the line-up of speakers and presentations. Among the presenters are:
Shawn Lovejoy – Founder and CEO of CourageToLead.com
Shawn Lovejoy will deliver the opening keynote at ACREres 2019. He has been a real estate developer, church planter, megachurch pastor, and successful entrepreneur and leadership coach. Lovejoy currently trains and inspires leaders and their teams around the country about all things leadership.
Dr. Adam Brooks – Assistant Director of Public Speaking, The Speaking Studio, The University of Alabama
Dr. Adam Brooks is nationally renowned public speaker and an expert in communication training and strategic messaging for professionals, helping them lead with meaning. Dr. Brooks helps professionals increase their effectiveness through clarifying and crafting effective messages and cultivating dynamic delivery.
Jim Lawrence – Nationally Renowned Real Estate Educator
Jim Lawrence will moderate the RRC panel at ACREres. He began his real estate career with Johnson-Rast and Hays in 1978, was recognized as the company’s top sales manager numerous times, and opened LAH in 1992. In ten years, the company grew from one agent to the second largest company in the state. Jim was named the Birmingham Association of REALTORS® “REALTOR® of the Year” in 1989 and was recognized for his leadership by being awarded the prestigious Tom Rast Award in 2004. He served as president of the Birmingham Association of REALTORS® in 2007. He holds the ABR, ABRM, CRB, SRES, and CDEI designations. Lawrence has been teaching real estate since 1978. He authored and taught sales training programs for both Johnson-Rast and Hays and LAH Real Estate. He also authored several of the required risk management courses for the Alabama Real Estate Commission as well as multiple continuing education classes.
RRC Panelists:
Carol Andrews – Broker, House & Home Real Estate
Carol Andrews started House & Home Real Estate in Montgomery with three other partners in May 2014. Their vision was comprised of a small but concise team of quality agents providing exceptional customer service and a concept of allowing their agents to work in an environment of cooperative and mentoring partnering. Andrews is also fully engaged in REALTOR® issues both locally, statewide and nationally.
Sharita Whitehead – REALTOR, Whitehead Realty
Sharita Whitehead is a licensed REALTOR® with a specialization in representing her clients in the purchase and sale of single-family residences and income property within Huntsville. She loves the area and prides herself on her knowledge of current transactions, school districts, neighborhood information, and related services, including mortgage, insurance, and inspection information. She is custom-driven, dedicated to achieving results and providing exceptional service. She has has the GRI, ABR, and e-Pro designations. She is also a Platinum ClubTop Agent Award recipient.
Morgan Ashurst – Broker, Ashurst Niemeyer Real Estate
Morgan Ashurst, Treasurer for the 2018 Alabama REALTORS® Executive Committee, says real estate is in his blood. Growing up, he frequented jobs sites, developments and open houses with this family, who has been in the industry since the 1970’s. From an early age, Morgan got a feel for the real estate process from the start all the way to the close. Morgan was named 2016’s Baldwin County Association REALTOR® of the Year and Alabama REALTOR® of the Year, and has been listed on Mobile Bay’s 40 under 40. Morgan also served on his local board’s executive committee.
Amanda Stinton – Director of Sustainability and Green Designation, National Association of REALTORS®
Amanda Stinton is responsible for the growth and strategic direction of NAR’s Sustainability Program, which engages state and local associations, members, and industry organizations to position NAR as a leading voice on sustainability in the built environment. She also oversees the operation of the GREEN designation professional credential for REALTORS® by providing content and member benefits to thousands of REALTORS® nationwide. Stinton has a history of collaborating with members, boards, and organizations to increase awareness and access to resources related to energy efficiency, sustainability and technology. She leads initiatives and programs on green home features, data, and sustainability for Realtors and cooperating industries. Through outreach, research, creation of resources, and public speaking, she stays tuned into industry shifts that directly affect home buyers. Her work allows REALTORS® to have confidence when helping clients navigate the benefits of sustainability, or of greener homes and communities.
KC Conway, MAI, CRE – Director of Research & Corporate Engagement, ACRE
Stuart Norton –Research Coordinator, ACRE
KC Conway has amassed more than 30 years of experience in real estate as an appraiser, lender, credit officer and economist. He has been recognized for accurately forecasting real estate trends and changing market conditions across the United States. Stuart Norton manages ACRE’s residential market research, producing monthly, quarterly and yearly sales reports on 26 residential markets across the state, monthly new construction reports that track new construction building permits and housing starts, and the center’s Alabama housing affordability index.
There will also be an ACREres networking reception and raffle held immediately following the program on Thursday, February 7, 2019 from 4:15 – 5:00 p.m. at The Club.
Early bird registration is now open for ACREres 2019 on the website at acreres.info. For information about conference sponsorships, contact Ruwena Healy, ACRE event sponsorships coordinator, at 205.612.8242 or acreevents@culverhouse.ua.edu. For information about registration including group rates and corporate table, contact Kayla Crittenden at 205.348.4117 or kccrittenden@culverhouse.ua.edu.
