For nearly three decades, Inman Connect has been where the residential real estate industry comes together to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions and build relationships that often last an entire career.
Some of the most valuable conversations don’t happen during the keynotes. They happen over coffee. In the hallway between sessions. During an introduction that turns into a referral partner, a friendship or even a new business venture.
As the industry gathers at Inman Connect San Diego, happening July 28-30 at the Marriott Marquis Marina, under this year’s theme — The Reset Is Here. Build What’s Next. — Inman is launching one of its biggest initiatives in years: The Inman Community, a new year-round digital home built to bring the residential real estate industry together before, during and long after every Inman event.
Introducing the Inman Community
The Inman Community is designed to be the place where conversations continue, ideas are shared and relationships grow every day, not just during conference week.
Inside the Community, members can connect with fellow agents, brokers, executives, speakers, journalists, sponsors and industry leaders, join conversations around the topics shaping residential real estate, exchange referrals, ask questions, share insights and continue discussions sparked on the Inman stage.
The Community launches first with Inman Connect San Diego.
Every registered attendee will receive an invitation to join the Inman Community, giving them exclusive early access before arriving in San Diego. From the moment they register, attendees can begin introducing themselves, meeting fellow attendees, planning meetups, joining conversations and building relationships before ever stepping onto the show floor.
It’s just the beginning.
In the months ahead, Inman will continue expanding the Community into a broader year-round destination for the residential real estate industry. San Diego attendees won’t just be joining a new platform; they’ll become the founding members of a community designed to shape the future of how our industry connects.
Meet the people bringing the Inman Community to life
The “You Can Sit With Us” group at Inman Connect.
You know them when you see them.
They’re the person who notices a first-time attendee standing alone near the coffee station and pulls them into a conversation. They’re the friend who seems to know everyone in the room and is happy to make an introduction. They’re the person who recommends a session, introduces you to someone you should meet and helps make a large industry feel a little smaller.
These are the people who make Inman feel like Inman.
That’s why we’re proud to introduce the inaugural class of Inman Community Leaders.
Community Leaders are hand-selected because of their consistent contribution to the Inman community and their ability to bring people together. They are connectors, advocates, mentors and conversation starters who help strengthen relationships across the community throughout the year.
You’ll find them inside the Inman Community, on social media, at local meetups and at Inman Connect events. They’ll welcome new members, facilitate introductions, host conversations and help members connect around shared interests, challenges and opportunities.
Some Community Leaders lead conversations around luxury, AI, team leadership, independent brokerages or first-time attendees. Others connect members across disciplines, experience levels and markets. Whatever their specialty, they all share one purpose: helping every member feel like they belong.
When Inman Connect begins in San Diego, these leaders will already be welcoming attendees inside the Community, making introductions and helping transform online conversations into real-world relationships.
Building on a legacy of connection
The Inman Community Leader program builds on the deep foundation established by the Inman Ambassadors.
For years, Inman Ambassadors played an important role at Inman Connect events. They welcomed first-time attendees, organized informal meetups, introduced people to one another, answered questions and created the sense of familiarity that so many attendees associate with Inman.
Ask longtime attendees about their first Connect and many will tell you the same story: they arrived knowing only a handful of people and left with relationships that shaped their careers because someone took the time to make an introduction.
As Inman expands its focus on year-round engagement, Community Leaders carry that same spirit forward — extending it beyond the conference itself and into the new Inman Community.
Many former Ambassadors are continuing into this next evolution, bringing the same generosity, curiosity and commitment to connection that made the original program such an important part of the Inman experience.
Meet the people helping build what’s next
The inaugural class of Inman Community Leaders represents the very best of what makes this industry special. They are connectors, mentors, innovators, luxury specialists, brokerage leaders, AI experts, marketers, coaches and community builders committed to helping others succeed. Together, they’ll help shape conversations, welcome new members and create the relationships that make the Inman Community unlike any other.
- Liz Alarcon — Realtor, Independent
- Monique Assouline — Real estate broker, Independent
- Elias Astuto — Director of Sales and Coaching, FAST Real Estate
- Toni Carone — Realtor, Long & Foster Real Estate (WV/VA/MD/DC)
- Kanani Ching — Realtor, Coldwell Banker Realty Hawaii
- Andrea Coughtry — Founder and Realtor, Coughtry Enterprises – The Property Group
- Susan Culverhouse — Luxury waterfront and equestrian real estate advisor, Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty
- Nikki Taylor Friedmann — Licensed associate real estate broker, Douglas Elliman
- Shawn Getty — Founder and CEO, Getty Group
- Gabrielle Gilbert — Licensed real estate professional, SERHANT.
- Victoria Gillman — Broker-owner, Gillman Group Realty
- Krystal Hess — Realtor, The Agency Riviera Maya
- Tiare Kabazawa — Realtor, Coldwell Banker Realty Honolulu
- Holly Meyer Lucas — Founder, Hype Boss
- Kristine Milkovich — Lead agent and owner, The Milkovich Team
- Marissa Nerenburg — Luxury real estate advisor, Meyer Lucas Team at Compass
- Joe Oz — President, Realtor and CEO, Joe Oz Group
- Matt Richling — Team leader, New Purveyors
- Lindsey Schmidt — Realtor, Fathom Realty
- Steph Sexton — Realtor and Director, New Home Sales & Business Development, Stormberg Group at Compass
- Zak Shellhammer — Marketing Performance Strategist, Shellhammer Consulting
- Deborah Stanton — Regional Partner, Garrington
- Scott Steadman — Managing Broker, Windermere Real Estate
- Jasmine Sunkara — Realtor, eXp Realty – Homes by Jasmine
- Dina Williams — Broker-owner, Ladera Realty Group
- Vernon Williams III — Performance scientist, The Winning Team Coaching
Join us in San Diego
The inaugural Community Leaders program officially comes to life at Inman Connect San Diego, where these leaders will begin welcoming members into the new Inman Community, hosting conversations, facilitating introductions and helping attendees build meaningful relationships from the moment they arrive.
Register for Inman Connect San Diego and you’ll be among the first invited into the Inman Community. Once you’re registered, watch your inbox for your invitation to join the platform, introduce yourself, connect with fellow attendees and start building relationships before you ever step onto the show floor.
Because while markets change, technology evolves and business models reset, one thing has always defined Inman:
Great ideas are powerful. Great relationships change careers.
We can’t wait to welcome you into the Inman Community — and see you in San Diego. Secure your pass here.
Interested in becoming an Inman Community Leader? Reach out to inman@hypeboss.com.
