Question 1

Is there a deadline for registration?

Accepted Answer

Yes! The deadline to book a hotel room through our block is September 23rd.The deadline for attendees to register for the conference is October 2nd.

Question 2

Do you have a cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we do. We will be enforcing the following policies: No-Show PolicyNo-shows will be billed for one night’s room and tax by the hotel (estimated cost $350, subject to change), and will have their reservations canceled, and will be subjected to a $150 cancellation fee.Cancellation PolicyCancellations received within 48 hours of the scheduled arrival date will be billed for one night’s room and tax by the hotel (estimated cost $350, subject to change) and will be subjected to a $150 cancellation fee.Exceptions:We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise. Therefore, we allow exceptions to the these policies for the following situations:Medical Emergencies:In the event of a medical emergency, defined as a serious illness or hospitalization, attendees may request an exception. (documentation may be required)Family Emergencies:If a serious illness or death of an immediate family member occurs, attendees may request an exception. (documentation may be required). To request an exception, please contact our event at  team at leadershipedge@car.org as soon a possible with the necessary documentation. Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.Cancellation Policy for Paid RegistrationsAll registration fees are non-refundable. Once your registration has been purchased, no refunds will be issued for any reason, including scheduling conflicts or changes in travel plans.Paid registrations may be transferred to another individual within your organization. All transfer requests must be submitted in writing to leadershipedge@car.org no later than three (3) business days prior to the event.Please note that each registration may only be transferred once and cannot be transferred again after the initial change.By completing your registration, you acknowledge and accept this policy.

Question 3

What travel expenses does C.A.R. cover?

Accepted Answer

C.A.R. will cover the cost of specific nights and travel costs for attendees, based on the track they are assigned to:ALF Funds:For guests attending Tuesday's REALTOR® Party of CA Training Day, ALF Funds may be available to use.
With ALF funds, Airfare and ground transportation can be reimbursed on a prorated basis. For example, if you are attending all 3 days, you can ask for 1/3 of your transportation costs to be reimbursed through ALF funding. ALF will only reimburse for food purchased on Realtor Party Day, October 20, 2026.
You can apply for ALF Funds using this LINK. Reimbursement:The reimbursement process will open on Friday, October 23. On that day, an email will go out to all attendees with the relevant links and instructions to submit travel reimbursements.Before submitting a reimbursement request, please carefully review the full reimbursement policy. By attending Leadership EDGE, you agree to abide by all event policies. We strongly recommend reviewing what is and is not covered by C.A.R., as reimbursement eligibility varies by track and leadership position.

Question 4

How do I submit a reimbursement request and what is the policy?

Accepted Answer

Leadership EDGE Reimbursement Policy

The reimbursement process will open on Friday, October 23. On that day, an email will go out to all attendees with the relevant links and instructions to submit travel reimbursements.

C.A.R. will reimburse reasonable and necessary travel expenses based on your leadership position. Eligible expenses may include airfare, ground transportation, driving mileage, and hotel parking.
To request reimbursement, please complete and submit the Reimbursement Request Form no later than November 6, 2026. Reimbursements will not be processed until after the deadline.

What’s Covered
Driving Mileage
If you drove to/from the event, mileage is reimbursed at 72.5 cents per mile, up to a maximum of $350.

Airfare and Transportation
C.A.R. will reimburse the lowest available roundtrip airfare and/or rideshare services (e.g., Uber, Lyft), up to a combined total of $350. A receipt showing proof of payment is required.

Hotel
If you stayed at a third-party hotel, you may request reimbursement of up to $350 per night, but only for the nights C.A.R. would have otherwise covered at the Waterfront Beach Resort. A hotel folio is required.

C.A.R. has secured a discounted room block at The Waterfront Beach Resort. To be eligible for lodging coverage or reimbursement, your reservation must be made through our official block using the provided booking process.

Rooms booked outside the C.A.R. block will not be reimbursed, except in the rare case that the block sells out. If that occurs, you may book at a secondary hotel and be eligible for reimbursement at a rate of $350 per hotel night.

Parking
 Only parking or valet fees incurred at the official event venue will be reimbursed.

What’s Not Covered
Meals or food of any kind
Gratuities or tips (including valet and luggage assistance)
Expenses for additional paid guests or travel companions

By registering for Leadership EDGE, you agree to abide by these reimbursement policies.

Reimbursement Submission Guidelines
Deadline Is Final
Late submissions will not be accepted. All forms and documentation must be received by November 6, 2026.

One Submission Per Person
Please submit only one reimbursement request. Combine all eligible expenses into a single submission.

Name on Receipts Must Match Attendee
Receipts must reflect the name of the registered attendee. Expenses under another name will not be reimbursed.

Shared Expenses Must Be Split
If you split a hotel room or other cost with another attendee, clearly indicate which portion you are claiming and ensure no duplication.

Submitting Your Request
Complete the form thoroughly, including your name, contact information, and full expense details.

Upload all required receipts. Receipts must be legible and itemized. Incomplete or missing documentation will result in a denied request.

We will not follow up for missing materials. It is your responsibility to ensure all documentation is submitted correctly.

On the form, select your preferred payment method:
Direct deposit (processed approximately 10 business days after the deadline)
Check by mail (may take up to 3 weeks after the deadline)

Questions?
Contact us at leadershipedge@car.org with any questions about your reimbursement status.

Question 5

Am I guaranteed to get a hotel room reservation at the Waterfront Beach Resort?

Accepted Answer

Hotel reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis. While we expect our hotel block at The Waterfront Beach Resort to be large enough to accommodate all attendees, space is not guaranteed. To be eligible for reimbursement or coverage, your room must be booked through C.A.R.’s official process within the designated room block.

Rooms booked outside the C.A.R. block will not be reimbursed, except in the rare case that the block sells out. If that occurs, you may book at a secondary hotel and be eligible for reimbursement at a rate of $350 per hotel night.

Question 6

How can I book a hotel room?

Accepted Answer

When registration opens in August, you’ll be able to book your hotel through our designated Passkey link, which will appear after you complete your event registration.

C.A.R. has secured a discounted room block at The Waterfront Beach Resort. To be eligible for lodging coverage or reimbursement, your reservation must be made through our official block using the provided booking process.

Rooms booked outside the C.A.R. block will not be reimbursed, except in the rare case that the block sells out. If that occurs, you may book at a secondary hotel and be eligible for reimbursement at a rate of $350 per hotel night.

Question 7

What is the Leadership EDGE conference?

Accepted Answer

The California Association of REALTORS® Leadership EDGE conference brings together key local, state and national association leaders from across the state to learn, grow and excel in their leadership roles. Through interactive workshops, insightful keynotes and meaningful networking opportunities, attendees will walk away inspired and poised to successfully lead their association and members in 2027 and beyond. This highly interactive experience will align leaders across the organization, develop solutions to problems, introduce new strategies, and fuel collaboration.

The conference offers four different Leadership Tracks:

National Leadership Track (Oct 20) 
REALTOR® Party of CA Training Day (Oct 20) 
Local & State Leadership Track  (Oct 20 - 22)

Question 8

When and where is the Leadership EDGE conference?

Accepted Answer

The 2026 Leadership EDGE conference takes place October 20-22, 2026, at the Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach

Question 9

What if I didn’t receive an invitation email, but I hold an eligible position for 2027?

Accepted Answer

An invitation email is not required in order to register. As of August 26, if you are confirmed to hold an eligible leadership position for 2027, you will be able to register for the event even if you did not receive an invite email.Invitation emails are sent as a courtesy to help spread the word and provide helpful information, but they are not a requirement for registration. We are especially counting on Association Executives (AEs) to share registration details with local committee chairs who are only attending REALTOR® Party of California Training Day on Tuesday. This includes roles like LCRC, LGR, YPN, and RAFC.If you are unsure whether your position qualifies, check with your AE or reach out to leadershipedge@car.org for clarification.

Question 10

Tell me more about the new $299 paid guest registrations.

Accepted Answer

While this is an invitation-only event, a limited number of guest registrations are available for Local Directors or Senior Association Staff who are not already invited under a leadership role.The registration fee is $299 per person, which covers programming, meals, and access to scheduled events.Housing is not included. Paid guests are responsible for booking their own accommodations outside of the C.A.R. hotel block.Guest registrants are welcome to attend sessions within the REALTOR® Party of California Training Day, Local Leadership Track, and State Leadership Track beginning Tuesday at 1:00 PM through Thursday at 12:00 PM.Guest registrations do not include access to the National Leadership Track.
Only registered attendees may participate in official conference activities.

Question 11

Who attends Leadership EDGE?

Accepted Answer

Invitees of Leadership EDGE are individuals who hold key leadership positions on the local, state and national levels of the REALTOR® organization in CA. These leadership roles are listed below, along with the corresponding Leadership Track(s) they will attend. To view the schedule of each track, please navigate to the "schedule" tab in the menu. This is an invite only event. The following positions are invited to attend Leadership EDGE:LOCAL LEADERSHIP TRACKAssociation Executives2027 Local AOR PresidentsSTATE LEADERSHIP TRACK2027 C.A.R. Committee Chairs2027 C.A.R. Vice Chairs2027 C.A.R. Issues Chairs2027 C.A.R. Committee Liaisons2027 Regional Chairs2027 Assistant Regional Chairs2027 Executive Committee Members2027 Strat Planning & Finance Committee Members2027 Leadership Academy ClassNATIONAL LEADERSHIP TRACK2027 CA NAR DirectorsAll Leadership EDGE invitees, regardless of track, are also invited to attend the REALTOR® Party of California Training Day. This programming is included as part of each leadership track’s experience by default.Participants in the REALTOR® Party of California Training Day include:REALTOR PARTY OF CALIFORNIA TRAINING DAY2027 REALTOR® Party of California Fundraising and Member Mobilization (FAMM) Advisory Committee MembersGovernment Affairs Directors (GAD)2027 Local Candidate Recommendation Committee Chairs (LCRC)2027 Local Government Relations/Policy Chairs (LGR/LGPC)2027 Local AOR Young Professionals Network Chairs (YPN)2027 Local REALTOR® Action Fund Fundraising Chairs (RAF)Paid attendees are welcome to attend any track sessions except for the National Leadership Track.

Question 12

When can I register?

Accepted Answer

Registration opens on August 26th, 2026.

Question 13

How do I register for the conference?

Accepted Answer

Please visit our registration page to register for the event. A link to that page will be available on the home page starting August 26th.

Question 14

Will there be onsite registration available?

Accepted Answer

No, all attendees must register in advance through our website. There will be no onsite registration available for those who didn’t register prior to the deadline.

Question 15

Do I have to double register if I am a part of multiple Leadership Tracks?

Accepted Answer

No, you only need to register once. We recommend selecting the track that best represents your primary leadership role. Based on your member information, you will automatically be added to any additional tracks that apply to your position, so you won’t miss any relevant programming.

Question 16

Is there a registration fee for the conference?

Accepted Answer

There is no registration fee for individuals holding official leadership roles who have been directly invited to attend the Leadership EDGE conference.

However, additional attendee registrations, available only to local AOR executive staff or leaders, require a registration fee of $299 per person.

All registrations, whether complimentary or paid, must be completed through the official registration process.

Question 17

Can I bring a guest or spouse to the conference?

Accepted Answer

While this is an invitation-only event, a limited number of guest registrations are available for Local Director or Senior Association Staff who are not already invited under a leadership role. Each AOR may register guests on a first-come, first-served basis at a rate of $299 per person. The $299 guest registration fee covers the cost of programming, meals, and access to scheduled events only. It does not include hotel accommodations. Paid guests are responsible for securing their own housing outside of the C.A.R. hotel block.Guest registrants are welcome to attend sessions within the  the REALTOR® Party of California Training Day, Local Leadership Track, and State Leadership Track beginning Tuesday at 1:00 PM through Thursday at 12:00PM. Guest registrations do not include access to the National Leadership Track.Only registered attendees may participate in official conference activities.

Question 18

Can someone else attend in my place if I cannot be there?

Accepted Answer

Registrations provided to leadership roles on the official invite list are non-transferable and cannot be reassigned.

Transferring Paid Registrations
Paid registrations may be transferred to another individual within your organization. All transfer requests must be submitted in writing to leadershipedge@car.org no later than three (3) business days prior to the event.

Please note that each registration may only be transferred once and cannot be transferred again after the initial change.

Question 19

What do I do if I did not receive my registration confirmation?

Accepted Answer

First things first, please check your spam folder. Most of the time you will find your confirmation there!

If you have not received your confirmation within an hour of registering, please send us an email at leadershipedge@car.org.

Question 20

What is the schedule for the Leadership EDGE conference?

Accepted Answer

LOCAL LEADERSHIP TRACKStarts at 1:00pm on Tuesday, October 20 and ends at 12:00pm on Thursday, October 22.STATE LEADERSHIP TRACKStarts at 1:00pm on Tuesday, October 20 and ends at 12:00pm on Thursday, October 22.NATIONAL  LEADERSHIP TRACKStarts at 5:00pm on Monday, October 19 with the NAR Director Welcome Reception and ends at 4:20pm on Tuesday, October 20.The REALTOR® Party of CA Kick-off Celebration will take place the same day starting at 6:00pm.REALTOR PARTY OF CALIFORNIA TRAINING DAYContent starts at 1:00pm on Tuesday, October 20 and ends at 4:30pm. The REALTOR® Party of CA Kick-off Celebration will take place the same day starting at 6:00pm.Please note that each Leadership Track has a unique schedule. Refer to the home page to see which Leadership Track you should attend.

Question 21

Where can I find the detailed program schedule for Leadership EDGE?

Accepted Answer

The program schedule for each of the four Leadership Tracks can be found under the schedule tab in the website header menu. Additional information including topic descriptions and speakers will be added soon!

Question 22

Can I choose which sessions to attend?

Accepted Answer

You will be assigned to a specific Leadership Track that has educational sessions specifically designed for you and your leadership role. It’s important that you attend the sessions within your assigned Leadership Track to get the most benefit.

All attendees will be assigned to a specific Leadership Track, with sessions designed to support their individual leadership roles. Because C.A.R. is covering the cost for invited participants to attend, we expect you to fully participate in all sessions within your assigned track. Attendance will be monitored.

If you've been invited to more than one track, we ask that you use your best judgment to determine which sessions are most relevant to your role. We recommend reviewing the schedule in advance to map out your plan. If you’re unsure where to focus, our team is happy to help guide you.

Question 23

Can I use ALF Funds to cover costs for EDGE?

Accepted Answer

Only expenses for attending the REALTOR Party Training at EDGE are eligible for ALF.  Because it is only a small part of the overall program, we ask locals to “prorate” the expenses that they want to cover with ALF.  The RP training is for one day out of a three-day program, so we ask locals to only apply one-third of their total expenses to ALF.

Question 24

Why are you asking me for my credit card information?

Accepted Answer

We request your credit card information to cover any incidentals during your hotel stay, as well as any additional nights not covered by C.A.R. Please note that your card will also be charged for any no-show fees or late cancellations, in accordance with our policies. All hotel nights covered by C.A.R. will be billed directly to our corporate account, and your card will not be charged for them. If you encounter any issues after check-out, please feel free to contact us at leadershipedge@car.com.

Question 25

What does the acronym “EDGE” stand for?

Accepted Answer

The concept of this conference is grounded in the leadership principles of the acronym “E.D.G.E.” - Empowerment, Development, Growth, and Excellence.  
 
Empowerment. At the heart of effective leadership lies the concept of empowerment. Successful leaders empower their teams to take ownership of their work, make prudent decisions and be accountable for their actions.   
 
Development. Continuous development is a cornerstone of personal and professional growth. By seeking educational opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge, effective leaders are equipped to build dynamic teams committed to a culture of learning and advancement.  
 
Growth. Organizational growth is vital for long-term success. Leaders who prioritize growth explore opportunities to expand the organization's impact. They foster a growth mindset and inspire their teams to take calculated risks, think creatively, adapt to change, and embrace new challenges.  
 
Excellence. Excellence is the pursuit of exceptional performance in all aspects of the organization. Leaders who embody the principles of EDGE set high standards and continuously challenge their teams to exceed expectations. By fostering a culture of excellence, leaders cultivate a competitive edge, gain member trust and loyalty, and position their organization as a leader in the industry.

Question 26

What is the dress code for the conference?

Accepted Answer

The dress code is business casual. We encourage you to be comfortable, while keeping it professional. Some suggestions include nice jeans, khakis, slacks, polo shirts, blouses, and other comfortable business wear (yup, you read that right…this event is jeans-approved!).

We encourage attendees to wear purple on October 20th to celebrate REALTOR Party of CA Training Day.

Question 27

When housing is closed — how do I change, cancel, or request a new reservation?

Accepted Answer

When housing closes and you have a change or adjustment to your existing reservation, please reach out to the hotel directly.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is there a deadline for registration?

Do you have a cancellation policy?

What travel expenses does C.A.R. cover?

How do I submit a reimbursement request and what is the policy?

Am I guaranteed to get a hotel room reservation at the Waterfront Beach Resort?

How can I book a hotel room?

What is the Leadership EDGE conference?

When and where is the Leadership EDGE conference?

What if I didn’t receive an invitation email, but I hold an eligible position for 2027?

Tell me more about the new $299 paid guest registrations.

Who attends Leadership EDGE?

When can I register?

How do I register for the conference?

Will there be onsite registration available?

Do I have to double register if I am a part of multiple Leadership Tracks?

Is there a registration fee for the conference?

Can I bring a guest or spouse to the conference?

Can someone else attend in my place if I cannot be there?

What do I do if I did not receive my registration confirmation?

What is the schedule for the Leadership EDGE conference?

Where can I find the detailed program schedule for Leadership EDGE?

Can I choose which sessions to attend?

Can I use ALF Funds to cover costs for EDGE?

Why are you asking me for my credit card information?

What does the acronym “EDGE” stand for?

What is the dress code for the conference?

When housing is closed — how do I change, cancel, or request a new reservation?

QUESTIONS? CONTACT US