REALTORS® from across the country will gather in Washington, D.C., May 14-19, to meet with members of Congress, federal regulators and industry experts at the Realtors® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.
Top-of-mind for REALTORS® are addressing critical and urgent issues like mortgage finance reform, tax benefits for homeownership and real estate investment, and the stability of the real estate market and overall economic recovery.
Registration is free for credentialed media and is required to attend the meetings. Members of the media are encouraged to register in advance by contacting Yolanda Byrd, 202-383-7515, ybyrd@realtors.org.
As a highlight of this year’s meetings, on Thursday, May 17, REALTORS® will rally in front of the Washington Monument from 9:30-11 a.m. for a Rally to Protect the American Dream. Members of Congress will join REALTORS® as they hear from speakers about how homeownership issues affect individuals, communities, small businesses and the nation. The rally will highlight the important role housing plays in the economic recovery.
Tuesday, May 15, will include several notable forums. At the Legislative and Political Forum, former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, leading Democratic strategist Celinda Lake, and National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling will discuss the 2012 elections and implications for real estate. Later that morning, Federal Reserve Governor Elizabeth Duke will give a keynote address at the Prescriptions for Housing Recovery Forum. A panel discussion will follow, featuring Michael Stegman, counselor to the Secretary of the Treasury for Housing Policy, and Dave Stevens, CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association and former FHA commissioner.
In the afternoon of May 15, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Edward DeMarco and Assistant Secretary for Housing/Acting Federal Housing Administration Commissioner Carole Galante will participate in Housing Policy in 2013: Challenges, Opportunities and Solutions: A Real Estate Symposium. Both will provide insights and perspectives regarding current policy initiatives to stabilize housing. A panel discussion will follow, with panelists that include Moody’s Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi; Cutler Dawson, president and CEO, Navy Federal Credit Union; Dr. Susan Wachter, professor of Real Estate and Finance, Wharton School of Business; and Renee Glover, president and CEO, Atlanta Housing Authority.
NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun will discuss the potential economic impact of mortgage rates and foreclosures during the Economic Issues and Residential Real Estate Business Trends Forum on the morning of Thursday, May 17. Yun will also provide an overview of the national commercial market and forecast future market conditions at the Economic Issues and Commercial Business Trends Forum later that same day.
Other media highlights include:
Diversity Forum
Tuesday, May 15, 10 a.m.-noon, Marriott Wardman Park, Delaware Suite, Lobby Level
Two speakers will discuss “Fair Housing in Your Community.”
James Perry, executive director of the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center, will address recent fair housing cases in New Orleans.
John Trasvina, assistant secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will discuss HUD’s recent rule related to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and will discuss the issue of discriminatory effect under the Fair Housing Act.
Federal Priority Issues Briefing
Wednesday, May 16, 7- 8 a.m., Marriott Wardman Park, Marriott Ballroom Salon 2, Lobby Level NAR Senior Vice President & Chief Lobbyist Jerry Giovaniello will discuss NAR’s 2012 federal policy agenda and the key issues REALTORS® will be bringing to their members of Congress. He will be joined by NAR’s legislative and regulatory policy specialists.
Rally to Reclaim the American Dream
Thursday, May 17, 8:30-11 a.m. on the grounds of the Washington Monument REALTORS® from across the country will rally to make sure that housing and real estate issues are a priority on the nation’s public policy agenda.
Speakers will address how homeownership matters to families, communities, small businesses, and the nation’s economy, and Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) will address the crowd.
Ideas in Action: Housing Opportunity Forum
Thursday, May 17, 2-3:30 p.m., Omni Shoreham, Diplomat Room, Main Floor Participants will share best practices and ideas to support employer-assisted housing initiatives and workforce housing. Featured speakers include Raylene Brundage of the San Diego Association of REALTORS®; Dawn Lane of the Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS®; Tammy Murphy of the Dayton Area Board of REALTORS® and Samantha DeKoven with the Metropolitan Planning Council in Illinois.
Shifting Demographics and Housing Choice: A Whole New World?
Friday, May 18, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Marriott Wardman Park, Thurgood Marshall Ballroom South NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun will join economists from Florida State University, the University of Washington, and George mason University to present new research on demographic trends that are changing the real estate market.
Trade Expo
Wednesday, May 16 – Thursday, May 17, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Marriott Wardman Park, Exhibit Halls A-C More than 100 exhibitors will demonstrate the latest real estate industry innovations and explain how these are transforming the way Realtors? do business. Learn about mobile office devices, lead generation systems, Internet prospecting solutions, Multiple Listing Service providers, virtual tour technology, financial services, and much more.
For more information, click here.
