How Top Luxury Agents Build Stronger Networks and Bigger Opportunities
06/09/2026
With luxury sales rising, the luxury real estate market continues to create opportunities for agents willing to invest in their expertise. While broader housing segments navigate shifting conditions, affluent buyers remain active, fueled by wealth transfer, lifestyle-driven moves, and long-term investment strategies. As the market evolves, the demand for knowledgeable luxury professionals continues to grow.
At the same time, success in luxury real estate is becoming more sophisticated. Artificial intelligence is changing how clients find agents, consumer expectations are evolving, and standing out requires more than simply keeping up with the market—it requires staying ahead of it.
This October 11th and 12th, luxury agents from across the globe will gather in Austin, Texas, for Leaders in Luxury, an exclusive two-day experience designed to help attendees sharpen their expertise, expand their network, and gain practical strategies from some of the industry's most respected voices.
Build Connections and Expand Your Network
Leaders in Luxury begins with one of the event's most valuable benefits: access to a community of high-performing luxury professionals.
Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with peers during registration, luxury property tours, and the evening welcome reception. These experiences create an environment where meaningful conversations, referral relationships, and new business opportunities can develop naturally.
Understanding the Market & What Comes Next
Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research for the National Association of REALTORS®, will share a data-driven perspective on today's evolving real estate landscape. Her session will explore shifting demographics, consumer behavior, affordability trends, and the factors influencing buyer decisions across the luxury segment.
For agents seeking to anticipate market changes rather than react to them, this session will provide critical context.
Are You Ready for the A.I. Revolution?
Artificial intelligence will be a major theme throughout the event. Rick Janson , author of the AI Real Estate Playbook , will explore how emerging technologies can either become a competitive advantage or a significant distraction for agents who fail to implement them strategically. His session focuses on practical applications that help agents save time, improve efficiency, and spend more time building client relationships.
Andrew Hong , founder of Tobe Agency , will tackle another critical question: How are luxury buyers finding and evaluating agents in an AI-powered world? Drawing from his experience advising hundreds of clients and training thousands of agents, Andrew will reveal how agents can ensure their expertise remains visible and discoverable as search behavior continues to evolve.
Understanding the Next Generation of Luxury Buyers
One of the most anticipated sessions of the event will bring together an exceptional panel of Institute trainers and luxury market experts.
Our panel of luxury experts will examine how wealth transfer, changing demographics, and evolving consumer expectations are influencing the future of luxury real estate.
The discussion will provide valuable insight into how affluent buyers think, what they expect from their agents, and how luxury professionals can position themselves to serve the next generation of wealth.
New Approaches to Luxury Marketing and Sales
Attendees will also hear from Dakoda Collins of REAL Marketing, who will share strategies for building a stronger luxury brand and creating marketing systems that attract the right clients.
His session focuses on helping agents stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace through intentional branding and smarter digital execution.
Stacy Kirk of Interluxe Auctions will showcase how auction-driven luxury sales strategies are reshaping the high-end real estate market.
Her session will highlight how agents can harness competition to create excitement around premier properties, generate global exposure, and deliver exceptional outcomes for discerning sellers while expanding their own luxury business opportunities.
From Million-Dollar Producer to Sustainable Luxury Success
Building a successful luxury business is one thing. Sustaining it is another.
An Institute GUILD Elite™ panel featuring Diane Varney (Coldwell Banker), Brianna Castillo (RE/MAX), Annmarie McManus (Meybohm Real Estate), and Cricket Benfer (Asheville Luxury Brokers) will explore what it takes to move beyond the million-dollar mark and build a business capable of producing consistent, long-term success.
Attendees will gain candid insight into the systems, habits, and decisions that separate one exceptional year from a sustainable luxury career.
An Experience Focusing on Personal Growth
The event's closing keynote features nationally recognized speaker Matthew Ferrara, who will deliver an interactive personal and professional development experience designed to help attendees think differently about success.
Through engaging exercises and practical reflection, participants will develop a personalized roadmap focused on confidence, vision, sustainable growth, and the mindset needed to reach the next level in both life and business.
Because in luxury real estate, success is not only determined by what you do—but by who you become.
More Than a Conference
Leaders in Luxury is more than a collection of presentations. It is an opportunity to learn from respected industry leaders, exchange ideas with ambitious peers, and gain practical strategies that can immediately impact your business.
Whether you're looking to better understand today's luxury consumer, leverage emerging technology, strengthen your brand, or build a more sustainable business, this year's event offers insights designed to help you move forward with confidence.
Join us October 11–12, 2026, in Austin, Texas, and be part of the conversations shaping the future of luxury real estate.
Growing Your Expertise in Luxury Real Estate
Looking to strengthen your luxury market expertise and better serve affluent clients? The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing provides advanced training, industry-leading resources, and a global network of luxury real estate professionals designed to help you grow your business and elevate your client experience.
Through the globally recognized Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist™ (CLHMS™) designation, exclusive Local Luxury Market Reports, and ongoing educational opportunities, our members gain the knowledge and insights needed to succeed in today's evolving luxury market.