Hosted by the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® (NVAR) at Capital One Hall, in Tysons, VA, this year’s convention featured keynote presentations and panel discussions focused on professional performance, market trends, agent success, and community involvement.
The Virtuoso Code: Mastering a Mindset for Extraordinary Performance
Felipe Gomez, pianist, entrepreneur, and peak performance expert, opened INSPIRE26 with The Virtuoso Code: Mastering a Mindset for Extraordinary Performance. Drawing on the habits and discipline of world-class musicians, Gomez explored how principles of musical performance can translate into business and professional success.
Through his work combining music and business, Gomez has addressed audiences in 33 countries across five continents, including appearances at TED and the World Business Forum. His keynote address brought a fresh perspective to the ways professionals approach performance and growth.
Leadership Matters Live Podcast: Keys to Agent Success, The Broker Perspective
Moderated by NVAR CEO Ryan McLaughlin, this panel brought experienced brokerage leaders together to discuss what contributes to long-term agent success.
Panelists Pamela Alcantara Essex, Broker/Owner and CEO of Impact Real Estate LLC; Maura De Raedt, Principal Broker and Owner of Property Collective; Kyle Holloran, Regional Director of KW Virginias and Operating Principal of KW Alliance Group; and Justin Levitch, President of RLAH @properties, offered a brokerage perspective on building sustainable real estate businesses.
The conversation explored the habits, relationships, resources, and technology that can help agents strengthen their businesses. The session provided an opportunity to consider how brokerage support and professional relationships can contribute to continued growth, whether an agent is starting out or looking to build on an established business.
Leveraging Community Involvement: Views from Top-Performing Agents
Community involvement was the focus of a panel moderated by Elana Boulos, 2026 Chair of the NVAR Convention Advisory Group, and Rob Carney, 2026 NVAR President.
Panelists Karen Hall of Foxtrot Company, Chanel Harper of Samson Properties, and Sam Khazai of Fulcrum Residential and Keller Williams shared perspectives on the relationship between community engagement and real estate business success.
The discussion explored how supporting local organizations, participating in community initiatives, and building meaningful neighborhood relationships can help real estate professionals strengthen their reputation and expand their networks. Beyond transactions, genuine community involvement can help agents establish lasting connections and become more engaged in the areas they serve.
The Road Ahead: Understanding Today’s Market
David Childers, President of Keeping Current Matters (KCM), closed the program with The Road Ahead: Understanding Today’s Market. With more than 20 years of experience following real estate market trends, Childers focused on helping professionals make sense of market shifts and apply that understanding to their businesses.
His presentation emphasized the importance of understanding market conditions and communicating that information clearly to clients, helping real estate professionals build confidence and strengthen their role as trusted market experts.
Thank You to Our INSPIRE26 Speakers and Panelists
NVAR extends a sincere thank you to all of the speakers and panelists who shared their knowledge and experience at INSPIRE26, helping make the event a meaningful day of learning and connection for attendees.
