The Government Affairs Directors’ Institute (GAD Institute) is an annual professional development conference for state and local real estate association professionals who provide guidance to and work for associations in the areas of government affairs, political affairs, legislative or regulatory affairs, lobbying, advocacy, RPAC fundraising, campaigns, community outreach and/or all REALTOR® Party initiatives.

2023 GAD Institute

To assist with your travel planning, please note, the event will start at 9:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, July 18 with an Institute Welcome. GAD Institute sessions will conclude on Thursday, July 20 at 5:30pm EDT with GAD Night Out. The final event agenda, is included below.

  • When: July 18-20, 2023
  • Where: Detroit, Michigan
  • Hotel: The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit (currently, fully booked; see below for details)
  • Cost: Hotel $219+ Taxes and Fees/night.

Agenda

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Registration

Location: Woodward Ballroom Foyer, 2nd Floor

8:30 AM – 10 AM

Continental Breakfast

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM

New GAD Welcome!

GAD Advisory Group will lead this pre-conference session for new GADs and those who are attending the Institute, what resources are available, and introduction to the organization.

9:45 AM – 9:50 AM

Break

9:50 AM – 10:35 AM

Protecting What We’ve Built

  • Brandon Alderete, GAD Vice Chair, Texas REALTORS,
  • Kyle Alexandre, Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association
  • David Stark, Bay East Association of REALTORS® Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer
  • Cady Thomas, North Carolina REALTORS® Chief Lobbyist

In culturally divided times, members may feel personally conflicted about giving to RPAC or supporting the REALTOR® Party. Learn how to keep them voting, acting, and investing.

10:35 AM – 10:40 AM

Break

10:40 AM – 11:25 AM

APEX: Consumer Advocacy Outreach Success Stories  

  • Erin Murphy, Director, Consumer Outreach
  • Mike Kelly, NYSAR Director of Government Affairs
  • Charlie Hinderliter, St. Louis REALTORS® Senior Vice President of Government Affairs
  • Jamie Ridge, President/CEO of Suburban REALTORS® Alliance

Introduction by: John Winston, Director, State and Local Programs

Property owners are a powerful collective and their stories can inspire the next generation of homeowners while also leading policies that encourage homeownership for all. From attending city council meetings for affordable housing to raising awareness on fire safety, point of sale, or first-time homebuyer savings accounts, homeowners are acting nationwide. Hear how your colleagues have utilized the Consumer Advocacy Outreach grant and program tools to get results for in their communities.

11:25 AM – 12:00 PM

Lunch

Box Lunches Complements of NAR’s Advocacy Group

12:00 PM – 12:15 PM

Welcome to GAD Institute!

  • Kenny Parcell, NAR President
  • Pete Kopf, NAR VP of Advocacy

Introduction by: Josh Dix, GAD Chair, Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS®

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM

Elevate Your Communication, Expand your Impact  

  • Tanis Roeder, Owner, Elevate Your Communication

Introduction by: Neeley Erickson, Local GAD, Illinois REALTORS®

Join us for this interactive, engaging, and though-provoking keynote session that delves into some of the essential elements of exceptional communication including physical, verbal, and non-verbal skills. Together we will explore small things that can make an enormous difference when it comes to quickly connecting and effectively communicating in our fast-paced work environments.

1:15 PM – 1:30 PM

Break

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Advocacy Lightning Rounds
Sit down with experts to dive into issues GADs deal with in any role:

  • Finding REALTOR® Champions;
  • Navigating the Lanes (Jurisdictions);
  • RPAC: Why People Invest and How to Move to the Next Level;
  • Effective Engagement with Volunteer Leaders;
  • NAR Engagement as a GAD, and
  • Ask us Anything!

3:00 PM – 3:15 PM

Break

3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

NAR Policy Update  

  • Bryan Greene, NAR Vice President of Policy Advocacy,
  • Erin Stackley, Director, Commercial and Policy Oversight,
  • Drew Myers, Policy Representative, State & Local Issues,
  • Alexia Smokler, Director, Fair Housing Policy & Programs

Introduction by: Josh Dix, GAD Chair, Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS®

Learn about NAR’s policy process and discuss some of the largest policy issues facing state and local associations this year.

4:15 PM – 6:00 PM

Free Time

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Welcome Reception
Join us at The Yard at Corktown for GAD Institute’s Welcome Reception! Shuttle transport will be available starting at 5:45 PM from Washington Street entrance at The Westin Book Cadillac Hotel.

Location: The Yard at Corktown: 1375 Michigan Ave., Detroit, MI 48226

8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Registration

Location: Woodward Ballroom Foyer, 2nd Floor

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Continental Breakfast

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM

Welcome and Overview  

  • Josh Dix, GAD Chair, Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS®
  • Brandon Alderete, GAD Vice Chair, Texas REALTORS®,

Learn about the logistics and overview for the day and conduct the 2023-2024 GAD AG Vice Chair Election.

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM

Welcome to Detroit  

  • Mike Duggan, Mayor of Detroit

Introduction by: Brad Ward, Vice President of Public Policy & Legal Affairs, Michigan REALTORS®

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan welcomes the 2023 GAD Institute to his great city and will provide an insight on the how his administration has worked to revive the city since the 2013 municipal bankruptcy filing. The mayor will also offer his vision for the future of Detroit.

9:30 AM – 10:15 PM

Detroit: History and Housing  

  • Ken Coleman, Senior Reporter at Michigan Advance
  • Julie Schneider, Director of Housing and Revitalization for the City of Detroit

Introduction by: Brad Ward, Vice President of Public Policy & Legal Affairs, Michigan REALTORS®

A look at the history of Detroit and how housing has played a role. Housing development is playing a role in the shaping the city’s future and correcting the mistakes of the past.

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM

Break

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Making Advocacy Part of Your Association’s Road Map

  • Mike Barnett, Executive Vice President, Texas REALTORS®
  • Andy Fegley, CEO, Phoenix REALTORS®
  • Josh Dix, GAD Chair, Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS®

Introduction by: Brandon Alderete, GAD Vice Chair, Texas REALTORS®

Advocacy is a critical component of our organization’s success.  Join us to discuss how advocacy goals can be incorporated in your association’s strategic planning and why it matters.

11:00 AM – 11:15 AM

Break

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM

Overcoming Political Tribalism  

  • Stephen Hawkins, Director of Research, More In Common

Introduction by: Brandon Alderete, GAD Vice Chair, Texas REALTORS®

Stephen Hawkins will present on the impact of political tribalism and how to overcome it.

12:00 PM – 12:15 PM

Break

12:15 PM – 1:30 PM

Lunch and Update on Home Equity Legislation  

  • Colin Allen, Executive Director, American Property Owners Alliance

Hear from Colin Allen, Executive Director, American Property Owners Alliance, on Home Equity legislation.

1:30PM – 1:45 PM

Break

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM

Breakout Sessions (State & Local)   

Breakout by state and local associations to discuss issues arising in your areas or to share successes.

Location:
Crystal Ballroom, 4th Floor (State)
Woodward Ballroom, 2nd Floor (Local)

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM

Break

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Breakout Session by Topic
Speakers: TBD

Choose to dive into detail on RPAC strategies to build a strong PAC culture from the ground up or discuss the current landscape of Short-Term Rental policy.

Locations:

  1. A Deep Dive Into RPAC : Woodward Ballroom, 2nd Floor
  2. What’s Going on with Short-Term Rental Policy? : Crystal Ballroom, 4th Floor
  • Molly McVay, Director, RPAC Fundraising and Regional Advocacy (East), Missouri REALTORS®,
  • Lauren Colicelli, Manager, RPAC Fundraising
  • Peter Kelly, Director, Fundraising Operations
  • Christa McGee, Grassroots and Policy Advocate, Maryland REALTORS®
  • Josh Dix, GAD, Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS®
  • Brian Westrin, General Counsel, Michigan REALTORS®

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

Free Time

5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

President’s Reception  

Location: Crystal Ballroom, 4th Floor  

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Information Desk

Location: Woodward Ballroom, 2nd Floor

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Continental Breakfast

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM

Day 3 Welcome

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM

Discussing the D-word

  • Megan Reineccius, Opticos Associate
  • Chris Bailey, CEO, Greater Greenville Association of REALTORS®

Introduction by: Josh Dix, GAD Chair, Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS®

Hear from Megan Reineccius on the benefits of Missing Middle housing and how this can be a tool towards affordability.

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM

Break

10:00 AM – 10:45 PM

Unusual Suspects: How to Build Winning Coalitions through Surprising Partnerships  

  • Nathan Gorton, Government Affairs Director at Washington REALTORS®
  • Kaarin Knudson, Principal and Partner, LARCO KNUDSON Sustainable Urban Design, Executive Director Better Housing Together
  • Guy Palumbo, Director, Public Policy at Amazon

Introduction by: Betsy Schultz, Government Affairs, Consulting, PNW Strategies

Learn how developing and strengthening relationships can increase the success rate of your advocacy goals.

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM

Break

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM

Overcoming NIMBYism  

  • Noah Kazis, Associate Professor of Law, University of Michigan

Introduction by: Zac Trupp, GAD Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS® and Rian Barrett, Pasadena Foothills Association of REALTORS®

Join Professor Noah Kazis to discuss the impact of NIMBYism on local communities and his research on how legal and policy mechanisms can make cities and suburbs more affordable, equitable and integrated.

11:45 AM – 12:00 PM

Break

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Keynote Speaker: Mark King / CEO, Taco Bell

  • Mark King, CEO, Taco Bell

Introduction by: Josh Dix, GAD Chair, Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS®

Mark King will talk about the importance of driving innovation, brand relevance, and culture in your organization.

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM

GAD Institute Wrap Up

  • GAD Advisory Chair, Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS®

2:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Free Time

5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

GADs Night Out Hosted by Michigan REALTORS®

Come out for an evening of networking and celebration at Detroit Institute of Art,

Location: Detroit Institute of Art, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48202.

GAD Institute App

Download the event app for quick access to the agenda, speaker info and to connect with the other attendees. Printed programs will not be provided.

Download the GAD Institute app:
https://www.allintheloop.com/events/gad23.html

You will login with the email associated with your M1 (NRDS) ID. For trouble logging in or other app support, please contact support@allintheloop.com or stop by the registration desk during the event for assistance.

Registration

Institute registration is located outside of the Woodward Ballroom, on the 2nd floor of the Westin Book Cadillac and will be open as follows:

  • Tuesday, July 18: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Wednesday, July 19: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Thursday, July 20: 8:00 AM –12:00 PM

GADs Give Back

The state and local Government Affairs Directors are excited to give back to an impactful organization in Detroit this year: Coalition On Temporary Shelter (COTS.

For 40 years, COTS has been committed to serving the most vulnerable members of the Detroit community by providing emergency shelter, affordable housing and more. COTS provide housing to almost 1,000 people daily – 60% of which are children.

Be a part of GADs Give Back and support COTS at: https://gadsgiveback.funraise.org

Event Policies

The 2023 GAD Institute is governed by these policies. They were developed in conjunction with federal/state/local laws, venue policies and NAR policies. Sources are listed for each policy, where possible.

The National Association of REALTORS® is committed to providing a safe, in-person event. We encourage attendees to take CDC recommendations and their individual circumstances into account when deciding about masks. Any attendee that wishes to wear a mask is encouraged and supported in that decision. All attendees and exhibitors will be asked to agree to the COVID-19 liability waiver during the registration process.

  • Attendees may indicate their contact comfort level on their badge, and we ask that everyone respect each other’s contact comfort.
  • If you have been exposed to COVID-19 within 14 days of the GAD Institute, do not attend the event.
  • For more information please see the COVID-19 ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND LIABILITY WAIVER AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS.

Detroit, the Motor City

Visit Detroit for information on city’s key attractions, culture, sports, nightlife, annual events and shopping.

Questions?

Contact us at: GadInst@nar.realtor

GAD Institute – Future Dates

2024: July 16-18 in Spokane, WA

Photos from the 2022 GAD Institute are available here.