LOCAL LEADERSHIP TRACK
October 28 - 30, 2025
2026 Local AOR Presidents, Association Executives
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28
WHERE GREAT MINDS REUNITE
Empowerment. Development. Growth. Experience.
Location: Breakwater Hallway
Eric Schwartz, Emcee; Tamara Suminski, 2026 President; Mark Peterson, 2026 President-Elect; Nikki Coppa, 2026-2027 Treasurer, C.A.R.; Phil Hawkins, CEO, C.A.R.
Turn up the volume on advocacy as we launch our annual REALTOR® Party of California Training. Together with Emcee Eric Schwartz and the 2026 Officers, we’ll set the tempo for an afternoon centered on leadership, impact, and the power of collective action. This kickoff will highlight why the REALTOR® Party matters, the role every leader plays, and the strength we bring when we show up with one voice.
Speaker: Juan Bendaña, Leadership Expert & Bestselling Author
What if the very challenges that make leadership feel uncertain are actually your greatest opportunities to lead with impact? In this high-energy kickoff, Juan Bendaña will show how confidence, trust, and resilience can transform disruption into momentum – for REALTORS®, for homeowners, and for the REALTOR® Party. With practical strategies and a bold mindset shift, you’ll leave not only inspired but equipped to advocate, influence, and lead with clarity and courage in the year ahead.
Speaker: James Baiseri, 2026 FAMM Advisory Committee Chair; Elizabeth Campbell Chase, 2026 REALTOR® Party of CA Director; David Stark, Chief Public Affairs & Communications Officer, Bay East AOR
Advocacy isn’t just politics – it’s the rhythm that drives the REALTOR® Party. This interactive session breaks down how government shapes every part of a REALTOR®’s work, from transactions and housing to clients and communities. Speakers will demystify how issues, candidates, fundraising, and grassroots action connect under the REALTOR® Party of California – showing how Vote, Act, and Invest work together as one powerful system. With audience participation and practical takeaways, leaders will leave with the tools and language to champion advocacy back home and engage members with confidence.
Jennifer Svec, VP of Public Policy, C.A.R.; Sanjay Wagle, SVP & Chief Lobbyist, C.A.R.
C.A.R.’s lobbyists pull back the curtain on how Board of Directors actions become lobbying strategy, how issues are prioritized, and why member voices are essential to moving policy forward. Learn how staff and REALTORS® team up to influence lawmakers, connect local relationships to state priorities, and keep the REALTOR® Party agenda strong in California.
Moderator: Phil Hawkins, CEO, C.A.R.; Panelists: Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens (AD26); Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares (SD23)
What do lawmakers really think about REALTOR® advocacy? In this bipartisan panel, legislators will share perspectives on how advocacy influences decision-making, what builds trust and credibility, and the role of member engagement in moving policy forward. Panelists will reflect on their own leadership journeys, highlight lessons learned from other advocacy groups, and discuss what truly moves the needle when REALTORS® show up.
James Baiseri, 2026 FAMM Advisory Committee Chair; Elizabeth Campbell Chase, 2026 REALTOR® Party of CA Director; David Stark, Chief Public Affairs & Communications Officer, Bay East AOR
Effective advocacy starts with helping others take their first or next step. This session will show leaders how to leverage their REALTOR® skills to become an advocate and how to build advocates by meeting members where they are – from those just beginning to get involved to those ready to lead others. Through understanding your connection to advocacy and real-world practice, participants will learn how to respond to common questions, address objections, and translate advocacy jargon into compelling messages that resonate with fellow REALTORS® back home.
Eric Schwartz, Emcee; Tamara Suminski, 2026 President
The day wraps with a call to action from C.A.R.’s 2026 Officers. They’ll recap the key takeaways, highlight three things every leader can do right away, and connect the themes of clarity, connection, and action. Attendees will leave energized and ready to play their part in advancing the REALTOR® Party of California.
Dinner, cocktails & entertainment
The beat goes on! Close out REALTOR® Party Day with a poolside evening of dinner, signature cocktails, and lively conversation. Enjoy music, dancing, and a few fun surprises as we come together to celebrate the REALTOR® Party of California.
For registered attendees only. Non-registered guests will not be permitted. Badge required for entry.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29
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 Lawn
Fuel up for the day with a full breakfast buffet and time to connect with fellow attendees before sessions begin.
Eric Schwartz, Master of Ceremonies; Tamara Suminski, 2026 President; Mark Peterson, 2026 President-Elect; Nikki Coppa, 2026-2027 Treasurer, C.A.R.; Phil Hawkins, CEO, C.A.R.
Kick off Day 2 on a high note with host Eric Schwartz and the 2026 C.A.R. Officers. This music-inspired session will blend stories, rhythm, and audience interaction to strike the right chord for the day ahead. Get to know the leaders behind the titles while setting the tempo for curiosity, collaboration, and leadership growth.
Location: Breakwater Ballroom
Speaker: Diana Kander, NYT Bestselling Author & Innovation Expert
Curiosity is one of the most powerful tools association leaders can bring to their work. In this energizing keynote, Diana Kander explores how asking better questions leads to better decisions, stronger resource management, and lasting value for organizations and the members they serve. Through engaging stories and practical strategies, she will highlight how to raise the bar on decision-making, eliminate outdated initiatives, embrace bold innovation over incremental change, and build the right support system for success. Leaders will leave inspired to rethink assumptions and equipped with strategies to guide their associations in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Juan Bendaña, Leadership Expert & Bestselling Author
Strong leadership teams are the foundation of a thriving association. In this interactive workshop, AEs and Association Presidents gain practical tools to foster trust, connection, and collaboration across their Boards of Directors, committees, and volunteer leaders. Through engaging activities and real-world scenarios, participants explore strategies to navigate conflict, instill confidence in others, and build alignment around a shared vision. Walk away with tangible techniques to strengthen your leadership culture and position your association for greater impact and long-term success.
Kim Gusman, President & CEO, California Employers Association
Effective performance reviews are about more than evaluation – they’re about building a stronger partnership between association executives and boards. In this collaborative session, we’ll explore why performance reviews matter, what a thoughtful process can look like, and how to structure them – clarifying who should be involved and how the evaluation can best support both the AE and the board. We’ll also discuss how boards can set clear expectations and assess their own effectiveness, creating a shared framework for accountability, growth, and long-term success.
Location: Vista Lawn
Moderator: Tamara Suminski, 2026 President, C.A.R.
Panelists: Scott Brady, CEO of Progressive Property Management, Inc.; Jennifer Branchini, VP of Association Affairs, NAR; Jessica Coates, CEO, Sacramento AOR; Jordan Levine, SVP & Chief Economist, C.A.R.
Disruption is reshaping real estate – from consolidation and technology to changing consumer expectations and policy pressures. For REALTORS®, these forces are redefining what support and resources they truly need from their associations. This session invites leaders to look ahead and think differently about how organized real estate can stay relevant. Panelists will explore emerging industry shifts, spotlight where member needs are evolving most, and challenge associations to adapt, innovate, and deliver value in new ways.
Bruce Bishop, PhD, C.A.R. Parliamentarian
Running effective meetings is one of the most important responsibilities of association leaders. In this introductory session, C.A.R. Parliamentarian Bruce Bishop will walk through the fundamentals of parliamentary procedure and meeting management, with a special focus on local board meetings. Participants will learn how to prepare effective agendas, handle motions and amendments, and keep discussions both focused and inclusive. This session will provide a solid foundation for presidents and AEs to lead meetings with confidence, ensuring they are fair, efficient, and mission-driven.
Colleen Hauk, CEO, The Corporate Refinery
Every successful association is built on a strong partnership between its CEO and President. This interactive session guides pairs through a communication experience designed to deepen trust, strengthen alignment, and enhance collaboration. Through live coaching and practical tools, participants will learn how to communicate with greater clarity, empathy, and presence — leaving with a stronger foundation to lead their association together with confidence and impact.
Kim Gusman, President & CEO, California Employers Association
A collaborative conversation about the pros and cons of contracts and at-will employment relationships for Association Executives. Together we’ll explore how different approaches work in practice and how open dialogue between an AE and their board can help establish the right balance of flexibility, stability, and risk for the association.
Breakwater Terrace
Relax and connect at our Wine-Down Reception! Enjoy complimentary wine, beer, and light bites on the Breakwater Terrace. After the reception, the evening is yours to enjoy – make dinner plans with colleagues, explore Huntington Beach, or take some time to recharge.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30
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.
Vista Lawn
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.
Adorna Carroll, President, Dynamic Directions, LLC
The most effective associations are led by Presidents and AEs who know their roles and respect the difference between management and governance. In this interactive session, Adorna Carroll will unpack the dynamics of the AE–President partnership, focusing on clear boundaries, role clarity, and building trust. Participants will explore how to “stay in their lane,” avoid micromanagement, and create a culture where staff and volunteer leaders complement each other’s strengths. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for strengthening this essential partnership and leading their associations with greater confidence and alignment.
Adorna Carroll, President, Dynamic Directions, LLC
Effective governance is more than following procedures; it’s about creating resilient associations that can adapt, stay transparent, and protect themselves from risk. This session will highlight the hallmarks of high-functioning boards while addressing key risk areas that local leaders must understand. Participants will work through real-world scenarios involving conflicts of interest, fiduciary responsibilities, and board–staff boundaries, learning how to respond with clarity and confidence. Leaders will walk away with a governance toolkit and a sharper lens for safeguarding their associations while keeping them mission-focused.
Eric Schwartz, MC; 2026 C.A.R. Officers
This can’t-miss finale brings the EDGE Conference to a high-energy close. Join the 2026 C.A.R. Officers and your fellow leaders as we celebrate the EDGE experience, highlight key takeaways, and look ahead to the year of leadership to come. With reflections, giveaways, music, and momentum, this closing session will leave you inspired and ready to lead.
Please note: attendance and check-in are required at the final session.