Dry January. I know, the two words seem like an oxymoron coming from Agent X. But I needed it! I stayed in hibernation mode after a slew of holiday parties and a wild New Year’s Eve. Then again, for me, hibernation mode still means showing face at industry events — the events were just a bit chiller, more business-focused. We’re getting on our grind. I wanna be like the top producers featured in this issue!
That’s why I took notes at Mainstreet’s economic forecast event on Jan. 21. Hundreds of agents turned out for breakfast at the Meridian Banquet & Conference Center in Rolling Meadows, and there was an impressive lineup of speakers. On Feb. 3, too, I’ll be heading off to CAR’s own 2025 Market Outlook at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago.
On Jan. 23, I watched jealously from my couch as the eXp Realty crew rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. The bell is prestigious and all, but really, all the hooting and hollering in the heart of Times Square gave me more FOMO. In fact, a lot of real estate peeps were on the East Coast this month. NAR’s Advocacy Week kicked off on Jan. 22 in Washington, D.C., and I know lots of CAR folk showed out for the occasion.
Also on Jan. 23, RE/MAX Legends hosted its fourth-annual Give Like a Legend fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network. The party is always a major networking moment, complete with a live DJ, cocktails and apps. This year, it took place at Violi in Oak Brook, and agents and guests all were getting down. As I see it, January doesn’t have to be dry if it’s for a good cause!
And speaking of networking, it’s about to be a busy season for the young professionals. On Jan. 22, Compass held its Compass YP 2025 kick-off party at Kaiser Tiger beer garden. People were curling. Curling! Thank God I have the young’uns to keep me in the know on new sports trends … (I’m still getting the hang of pickleball). Taylor Adams of A and N Mortgage and Namit Bammi of Bammi Law Group sponsored and said a few words. Next month’s event was also announced, and the host is… drum roll, please… Tony Mattar! You know that’s gonna be fun. Not to mention, it’s speed dating. Well, peer-mentorship speed dating. Pretty saucy stuff.
CAR’s monthly YPN breakfast series is also officially back at Manny’s Deli — the last Wednesday of every month! The kickoff comes Feb. 26, and the theme is converting new clients. Perhaps I’ll see you there, sipping mimosas and talking strategy. If not, perhaps I’ll see you at some February birthday parties.
First up is Emily Santos on Feb. 7, followed right up by Art Schalk on Feb. 8, Kelly Wong on Feb. 9 and Hamza Ishaq on Feb. 10. On Feb. 12, Laura Gann celebrates before a brief respite … then b-day girls Debra Kaden and Alice Chin pick things back up Feb. 18, followed by Lewis Jones on Feb. 19, Ginger Downs on Feb. 21, Kevin Kelly on Feb. 22 and b-day triplets Graham Allen, David Kasprisin and Jill Hare all on Feb. 23. The party keeps going Feb. 24 with Donna Crane. Then, we have a bit of a dilemma. Two leap-year babies: Linda Ryan and Joe Thouvenell. Will they celebrate on Feb. 28? March 1?! I guess we’ll just have to party twice. After that, Beth Repta leads us into the spring season with a March 3 birthday, followed by Elana Spector March 5. Hopefully the snow will melt by then.