FRESH Summit Wrap Up

With continued safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, New Jersey Realtors ® decided to cancel all upcoming in-person events including Trenton Day, Realtor ® -palooza, and New Jersey Women: That’s Who We R. These events offer not only educational opportunities, but also space to network with other Realtors® in the state. Rather than miss out on those opportunities, New Jersey Realtors® combined the events into an entire month of virtual learning. While it did not take the place of the in-person events, the F.R.E.S.H. Summit provided an avenue for learning and conversation throughout October.

The F.R.E.S.H. Summit—free Realtor ® Education Starts Here—was held on various days throughout the month and members could choose between 13 different sessions consisting of continuing education, statehouse sessions, a full conference devoted to New Jersey Realtor ® women, and more. Since all of the sessions, including sessions with continuing education credit, were free members could pop in for one or schedule all 13.

New Jersey Realtors® 2020 Leadership Team kicked off the Summit with Current Issues in Real Estate and discussed the current state of the association, industry, and market. The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights and Bryan Greene of the National Association of Realtors® followed

the Leadership Team to discuss fair housing and resources available for members.

Since it is an election year, Statehouse Sessions, which were recorded and available at fresh.njrealtor.com/sessions, were a big draw at the summit. Members heard from Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr., Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick, and Gov. Phil Murphy.

With more than 10 sessions in a single day, the New Jersey Women: That’s Who We R Virtual Conference was jampacked. Members heard from New Jersey Realtors® 2020 President Angela Sicoli; 2020 National Association of Realtors® First Vice President Leslie Rouda Smith; NAR Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn; industry leaders such as Katie Lance, and Dia Bondi.

To support the Realtors® Political Action Committee members participated in a virtual craft beer tasting. Registrants received a four-pack sampler from Last Wave Brewing Co. in Point Pleasant Beach and a Zoom session with the brewers.

Other standout sessions included Realtor® Safety, Prescription Drug Safety, New Jersey Realtors® Forms and Legal Resources, and Affordable Lending.