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LOCAL LEADERSHIP TRACK
October 20 - 22, 2026
2027 Local AOR Presidents, Association Executives
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20
WHERE GREAT MINDS REUNITE
Empowerment. Development. Growth. Experience.
Location: Breakwater Hallway
Eric Schwartz, Camp EDGE Director Camp is officially in session! Join Eric Schwartz for a high-energy welcome and a quick look at what’s ahead for an afternoon centered on resilience, advocacy, leadership, and the collective impact of California REALTORS®.Location: Breakwater Ballroom
Cam Awesome, Champion Boxer & Motivational Speaker In this high-energy keynote, Cam Awesome, the winningest boxer in U.S. history, shares how to turn setbacks and failures into fuel for growth and success. Through humor and unforgettable stories from his boxing career, Cam shows audiences how to build resilience, strengthen self-belief, and keep moving forward even when things don’t go as planned.Location: Breakwater Ballroom
Mark Peterson, 2027 President, C.A.R.; Staci Caplan, 2027 President-elect, C.A.R.; Nikki Coppa, 2027 Treasurer, C.A.R.; James Baiseri, 2027 REALTOR® Party of California Director Advocacy rarely moves in a straight line. Wins take persistence, setbacks are part of the process, and progress depends on leaders who keep showing up. Building on Cam Awesome’s message, C.A.R. leaders will connect resilience to the work of advocacy and share why staying engaged, telling the story behind the work, and bringing others along matters.Location: Breakwater Ballroom
Dan Schnur, Professor of Politics, UC Berkeley, Pepperdine University & USC Don your binoculars and take a closer look at the political landscape as the November election approaches. What’s driving California voters, and how can REALTOR® leaders make a difference with 2027 on the horizon? This timely briefing will look at the political, economic, and regional forces shaping the electorate, with particular attention to affordability, housing, and the issues likely to influence California’s political conversation into 2027. Location: Breakwater Ballroom
Location: Breakwater Terrace
Moderated by Staci Caplan, 2027 C.A.R. President-elect & State Political Coordinator Panelists: Sanjay Wagle, Chief Lobbyist, C.A.R.; Coby Pizzotti, Senior Legislative Advocate, C.A.R.; Matt Bunch, Member Mobilization Director, C.A.R. Pull up a chair for two behind-the-scenes campfire stories of REALTOR® advocacy in action. One called for an all-out sprint. The other required persistence, relationships, coordination, and staying power. Hear from the people closest to the action as they unpack the pivotal moments, the very different strategies behind each effort, and what it takes for an advocacy network to be ready when the moment calls.Location: Breakwater Ballroom
Hosted by Mark Peterson, 2027 President, C.A.R. & Blaine Morris, 2027 Legislative Committee Chair, C.A.R. Join Mark and Blaine for a candid conversation with California policymakers on both sides of the aisle about the issues, voices, and real-world considerations that shape their work. Hear how housing and affordability show up from the policymaker side of the table, what makes advocacy useful and credible, and how REALTOR® leaders can build stronger relationships and engage more effectively. Location: Breakwater Ballroom
Elizabeth Campbell-Chase, Prop 37 Advisory Committee Chair; Phil Hawkins, CEO, C.A.R. With Prop 37 on the November ballot, leaders need to be ready for the conversations ahead. Through live polling, real-world scenarios, and audience participation, this fast-moving session will put your knowledge to the test, tackle the questions you’re most likely to hear, and make sure you leave with the facts, resources, and confidence to engage effectively back home. Location: Breakwater Ballroom
Camp gets a little more glamorous after dark. Join us poolside at Driftwood Beach Club for live music, dinner, themed cocktails, and an evening to unwind, connect, and celebrate with fellow leaders from across California. Wear your purple and show your REALTOR® Party pride! Sponsor: The Benefit Store For registered attendees only. Non-registered guests will not be permitted. Badge required for entry. Location: Driftwood Beach Club
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21
Location: Breakwater Hallway
Meet at Surf Hero Marketplace (inside the Waterfront Beach Resort)Get your steps in and start the day on the right foot – literally! Enjoy a casual beachside walk with C.A.R.'s leadership team before breakfast.
Vista LawnFuel up for the day with a full breakfast buffet and time to connect with fellow attendees before sessions begin.
Hosted by Eric Schwartz, Camp EDGE Director Get to know your 2027 Leadership Team. Eric Schwartz will put C.A.R.’s 2027 Officers in the hot seat for a lively mix of rapid-fire questions, unexpected stories, and a few surprises along the way. Come for the laughs and leave knowing a little more about the people, personalities, and leadership styles guiding C.A.R. in the year ahead.Location: Breakwater Ballroom
Kindra Hall, Storytelling Expert & Bestselling Author The ability to tell the right story can transform how leaders connect, communicate, and inspire action. Kindra Hall will share a practical approach to strategic storytelling that helps leaders capture attention, make ideas more memorable, and build stronger connections with the people they serve. Attendees will leave with an actionable framework for identifying and telling stories that resonate, strengthen understanding, and inspire meaningful action.Location: Breakwater Ballroom
Location: Huntington Ballroom Pre-Function
Matt Difanis, Leadership & Governance Trainer, Dynamic Directions, LLC Strong local leadership starts with a clear understanding of roles, responsibilities, and the partnership between the President, Board, and Association Executive. In Part 1, Matt will explore the difference between governance and management, how volunteer and staff roles complement one another, where boundaries matter, and how Presidents and AEs can build the trust, communication, and clarity needed to lead effectively together. Attendees will also examine how strong leadership teams prepare, communicate, and navigate expectations before challenges arise.Location: Huntington Ballroom
Location: Vista Lawn
Matt Difanis, Leadership & Governance Trainer, Dynamic Directions, LLC Building on the morning foundation, Part 2 will take a practical look at how high-functioning boards govern effectively. Topics will include strategic planning and board focus, board-staff boundaries, sound decision-making, transparency, risk awareness, effective oversight, and how Presidents and AEs can maintain clear roles between board governance and the AE’s responsibility for day-to-day operations and staff management. Real-world examples and discussion will help leaders work through common governance challenges, clarify roles, and strengthen the partnership needed to lead well together.Location: Huntington Ballroom
Location: Huntington Ballroom Pre-Function
Greg Wilson, CAE, Greg Wilson Consulting No association is working with unlimited resources, and this interactive workshop will prepare you to lead no matter what's in your backpack. Participants will explore how to ask effective questions, recognize warning signs, and balance board oversight with staff responsibilities. Realistic scenarios and table discussions will reinforce clear roles, communication, trust, and effective President-AE collaboration. Practical take-home resources will help participants apply these lessons within their own associations.Location: Huntington Ballroom
2027 C.A.R. Leadership Team Hear directly from C.A.R. leadership about the year ahead and the importance of a strong state-local partnership. Join an informal conversation about how C.A.R. and local associations can stay connected, support one another, and work together to strengthen member value and impact across California.Location: Huntington Ballroom
Bruce Bishop, Ph.D., Parliamentarian Lead your teams to victory by knowing the lingo, staying fair and calm in choppy waters, and managing different roles in your boat. Local association board meetings can move quickly from routine business to complex discussion and difficult decisions. Bruce Bishop will cover the parliamentary basics Presidents and Association Executives need to lead fair, focused, and productive meetings, including managing motions and debate, maintaining order, clarifying roles, and keeping board business moving effectively.Location: Huntington Ballroom
All Attendees Wrap up the day with a glass of wine, light bites, and time to reconnect with colleagues from both the State and Local Tracks. Continue the conversations from the day, make new connections, and unwind together before heading out for the evening.Dinner is on your own. We encourage you to make plans with new and old friends and explore Huntington Beach.Location: Breakwater Terrace
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22
Meet at Surf Hero Marketplace (inside the Waterfront Beach Resort)Meet at Surf Hero Marketplace for one final morning stroll with C.A.R.'s Officers. Grab a coffee to go at the cafe, take in the fresh ocean air, share reflections from the week, and set a positive tone for the final day of EDGE.
Ease into the final day of EDGE with a continental breakfast featuring fresh pastries, bagels, fruit, coffee, juice and protein options. A relaxed start to connect and refuel before the morning sessions begin.Location: Vista Lawn
Brian Manson, SVP & General Counsel, C.A.R.; Mark Peterson, 2027 President, C.A.R.; Phil Hawkins, CEO, C.A.R. Leadership comes with real responsibility. This session will explore the legal, ethical, and fiduciary obligations that come with serving as a REALTOR® association leader, including the judgment, accountability, and decision-making expected of those entrusted to act on behalf of members and the organization. The discussion will also touch on emerging considerations related to artificial intelligence, information integrity, and the responsible use of technology in association leadership.Location: Breakwater Ballroom
Jennifer Branchini & Erin Stumpf, Governance Review Task Force Co-Chairs Jen and Erin will share the Governance Task Force’s latest recommendations, the thinking behind them, and an update on where the work stands following the Fall Business Meetings. Hear what has been learned through the review, the issues the Task Force has sought to address, and what targets we’re aiming for in the governance process.Location: Breakwater Ballroom
Take a quick break and build your own mimosa or zero-proof spritz, grab a morning treat, and head back into the ballroom for the final sessions of Camp EDGE.Location: Breakwater Terrace / Pre-Function
Bruce Bishop, Ph.D., Parliamentarian How does an idea actually move through C.A.R.? In this interactive mock governance session, attendees will show off what they’ve learned this week as an issue moves from committee discussion and action through Executive Committee and ultimately to the Board of Directors. With humor, real-world scenarios, and audience participation, Bruce Bishop will bring C.A.R.’s decision-making process to life and show how discussion becomes action across the organization.Location: Breakwater Ballroom
Eric Schwartz, Camp EDGE Director; 2027 C.A.R. Leadership Team; EDGE Event Team Gather together one last time to reflect on the lessons, relationships, and ideas you’ll take home from Camp EDGE. C.A.R. leaders will bring the conference to a close with an interactive conversation about what stood out, what leadership will require in the year ahead, and how attendees will put what they’ve learned into action.Location: Breakwater Ballroom
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