Please refer to the event schedule for each speaker’s topics, dates/times, and room locations.
Bill Dedman
Bill Dedman is a Pulitzer and Peabody award‐winning investigative reporter, and bestselling author. He has spoken on fair housing and fair lending issues for the National Association of REALTORS®, the Federal Reserve, HUD, and banking and real estate associations.
Bill received the 1989 Pulitzer Prize in investigative reporting for his work at The Atlanta Journal‐Constitution on The Color of Money, his series on racial discrimination by banks and savings and loan associations in middle‐income Black neighborhoods. The Color of Money led to expanded federal laws on disclosure of loan data, new financing for middle‐income homebuyers, and greater awareness of systemic discrimination. The articles in The Color of Money are online, click here.
Thirty years later, Bill was one of four lead reporters on Newsday’s undercover investigation of racial steering by real estate agents, Long Island Divided. The investigation, published in November 2019, revealed that Long Island’s largest residential real estate brokerages help reinforce racial segregation through illegal steering of customers. Long Island Divided led to a reckoning in the real estate industry, with new national training for agents, more testing of brokerages, and new state laws on fair housing. Newsday’s team received several national awards for their work, including a Peabody Award. Long Island Divided and its 40‐minute documentary film, Testing the Divide, are online, click here.
Bill also uncovered the case of the reclusive copper heiress Huguette Clark in 2010, documenting her life in reports for NBC News. His nonfiction book, the No. 1 New York Times bestseller Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune, tells the true story of Clark and her father, the Gilded Age industrialist who founded Las Vegas. Bill is a frequent speaker for financial‐planning groups and charities on Empty Mansions and lessons learned from the Clark family’s failures in charitable giving.
Bill has reported for The Associated Press, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Boston Globe.
Opening Session
Monday, Feb. 19
9:00 – 10:30 AM CT
Burton Kelso
Burton Kelso is the Chief Tech Expert at Integral, an IT support and computer services company, TEDx and national speaker, as well as a media tech expert who regularly appears on national and international television and radio shows offering viewers easy tips on computers, technology, internet lifestyle, and gadgets. As computers and their related gadgets become more and more part of our everyday lives, he’s here to help you get the most out of your devices. His vision is to remove the frustrations and complexity of computers and technology and open people up to a world of new ideas, experiences, and opportunities. Burton loves technology, he’s read all of the manuals, and he’s serious about making technology fun, safe, and easy to use for everyone!
Thrive and Survive in a ChatGPT/AI World
Monday, Feb. 19th
2:15 – 4:15 PM
2 hours
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Bard by Google, Canva, and Vidyo are changing the real estate business landscape as we know it. As buyers’ and sellers’ expectations and needs change, real estate agents will need to adapt and harness AI. The impact of technology isn’t disappearing, and business professionals should embrace the changes coming their way instead of trying to fight them. If real estate professionals want to keep up with the best practices and stay relevant in our emerging AI world they need to get an understanding of AI to help their business stay ahead of the curve.
Watch Out for Cyber Scams, Shams, and Shady Sh*t
Tuesday, Feb. 20th
9:00 – 10:00 AM
1 hour
Cybercrime is a human problem. You can have the best firewall, anti-virus, or VPN, but all it takes is for you to accidentally click on a link in an email, or text message, or give out information over the phone and you’re hacked. There’s no way to predict a cyberattack, whether by a lack of security solutions or a careless employee opening some type of malicious attachment. In this day of AI and ChatGPT, it’s very important you keep your real estate business safe from criminals Get crucial tips to keep your business safe and secure.
Create Your 30-Day Social Media Calendar Using Chat GPT and AI
Tuesday, Feb 20th
10:15 – 11:15 AM
1 hour
Consistency is crucial when navigating social media algorithms, but finding the time to post can be really difficult for real estate professionals. When should you post? Should I use a specific theme? What types of posts should I make for each platform? This seminar will help you brainstorm, create, and schedule your monthly social media content for your business. Please note, that this class is for individuals who already have a social media Page set up but need help with content creation and scheduling.
Sue Stinson-Turner
Professional Designations and Affiliations
Certified Residential Broker
Certified Residential Specialist
Senior Real Estate Specialist
E-Pro Certified
Leadership Training Graduate
Relocation Certified Certified
Builder Trainer Tennessee and Mississippi License
Tennessee and Mississippi Board of Realtors
Tennessee and Mississippi Association of Realtors National Association of Realtors
Women’s Council of Realtors (Local, State and National)
RPAC Major Donor
Professional Experience
Licensed in 1978
Multi-Million Dollar Club Life Member in Sales by 1988
Sales Manager for Crye-Leike, Inc. Germantown Forest Hill-Irene Office (1998-present)
Special Achievements
President Memphis Area Association of Realtors 2005
President of the Women’s Council of Realtors 2000
President of the Multi-Million Dollar Club 2000-2001
Outstanding Leadership Award from Association of Realtors 2001
Realtor of the Year Memphis Area Association 2006
Division 1 Vice President for the State of TN 2008-2009
Chairman of the Associations Realtor Political Action Committee 2002
Chairman for Community Involvement Committee 2009
Trainer for Association of Realtors MIS software
Chaired Education PAG State of TN
Governmental Affairs Chair MAAR 2007 and 2008
Governmental Affairs Liaison for State of TN 2008 and 2009
Secretary Treasurer Tennessee Association of Realtors 2010
President Elect Tennessee Association of Realtors 2011
President Tennessee Association of Realtors 2012
Code of Ethics Course
Monday, Feb. 19th
1:00 – 4:00 PM
3 Hours
Review the Code of Ethics and recent changes. REALTORS® are required to complete ethics training of not less than 2 hours, 30 min. of instructional time within a three-year cycle. The training must meet specific learning objectives and criteria established by the National Association of REALTORS®.
Brian Copeland
Brian Copeland is a real estate agent and sales leader in Nashville, Tennessee. He has appeared on numerous HGTV and The Learning Channel television shows and served as one of Facebook’s Global Community Leadership Council members. He is one of the hosts of the Council of Residential Specialist’s national podcast, Real Talk in Real Estate. Brian has given tirelessly in the REALTOR® leadership arena serving as the president or vice president at the local, state, and national level. He was Nashville’s REALTOR® of the Year in 2011 and Tennessee’s REALTOR® of the Year in 2022. Brian founded one of the longest-running real estate technology camps in the nation, attracting 300 to 1,500 real estate professionals from 30 states and three continents. Brian and his spouse live with their two children on a farm where they raise cows, goats, and chickens.
Amping Up an Unstoppable Buyer’s Agency Model
Monday, Feb. 19th
4:15 – 5:15 PM
1 hour
This one hour course examines what buyer agency looks like in a litigation-laced marketplace and beyond.
The Buyer Generation
Tuesday, Feb. 20th
10:15 – 11:15 AM
1 hour
This one hour course explores the stages of buyers from first-time to last-time and everything in between.
Finding Space for Mental Health in a Frenzied Market
Tuesday, Feb. 20th
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
1 hour
This one hour course is a candid discussion about taking care of yourself before taking care of others, ultimately giving the consumer the best protection ever in this marketplace.
Adorna O. Carroll
Adorna currently owns and runs 3 real estate related businesses and has had a personal team for over 25 years. As the CEO and President of Dynamic Directions, Inc., a company with an extensive faculty of international consultants, speakers and trainers, Adorna trains Realtors® all over North America.
She has authored numerous residential designation and certification courses for the NAR and REBI – Real Estate Business Institute.
In 1997 she completed her term as the State President for the CT Realtors®, was the 2001 Region 1 VP, an NAR Liaison in 2002, 2003, and 2007, RPAC Trustee in 2004, the 2005 NAR VP & Liaison to Committees, and NAR’s Chief Political Fundraiser in 2006. She was also the national President of NAR’s REBI – Real Estate Business Institute in 2016.
Adorna is a $50K member of the RPAC Hall of Fame, the REBAC Hall of Fame, the and is the 79th recipient of NAR’s Distinguished Service Award.
Adorna has a BA Degree in Philosophy and has been awarded five Who’s Who awards beginning with “Who’s Who of American Women”, “Finance and Industry”, “Emerging Leaders”, “Who’s Who in the East” and “Who’s Who in America.
Preparing for the Next Big Disruption- Field Ramifications of the MLS/DOJ
Monday, Feb. 19th
10:45 AM – 12:45 PM
2 hour
Description coming soon.
Demonstrating Value Proposition
Tuesday, Feb. 20th
1:00 – 2:00 PM
1 hour
Description coming soon.
Ingrid Prather
Ingrid Prather is the Broker/Owner of Premier Properties Realty and has been a REALTOR for over 30 years.
She has worked with clients to realize their dream of home ownership. Her passion is to provide the resources and tools to home buyers that will allow them to become successful in sustaining their investment for the benefit of future generations.
Ingrid has an extensive list of accomplishments including 2023 RRC TN State President; 2022-2023 Tennessee REALTORS Division 3 Vice President, 2022 TN RRC State Financial Leader, 2021 President Tennessee Real Estate Education Foundation (TREEF), 2021 President River Counties Association MLS, President River Counties Association, River Counties REALTOR of the Year, NAR Leadership Academy, Multi-Million Dollar Club Life Member in Sales and RPAC Major Investor as well as serving on multiple NAR Committees.
Ingrid’s love for learning and helping her peers was what lead to her becoming an instructor. She holds certifications and designations in the following:
CRS, GRI, Master GRI, e-Pro, PSA, SFR, At Home With Diversity, C2EX.
In her spare time, she works in her community and serves as 2022 President McMinn Habitat for Humanity, Director Athens Area Chamber of Commerce and Women United in Community Service. Ingrid also loves spending time traveling, singing, writing songs and recording and her three beautiful granddaughters.
Mastering Buyer-Centric Real Estate: Strategies for Realtors
Tuesday, Feb. 20th
12:45 – 1:45 PM
1 hour
This one-hour course takes a deep dive into the housing market and buyers and the important role REALTORS® have.
Stephanie Aker
Stephanie Aker is a passionate professional in the real estate industry, specializing in building and nurturing Global relationships. Having worked with some of the top brands in the industry both as a licensed professional and in corporate leadership, she brings a unique perspective on the industry In her role as Manager, Global Council Engagement and Development for NAR .
As a Global relationship builder, Stephanie is deeply aware of the dynamics and challenges faced by global real estate professionals. Her experience with lead generation, global operations, and global mobility has instilled a profound understanding and appreciation of the importance of fostering a global perspective and leveraging cross-cultural insights to drive innovation, best practices, and business opportunities on a global scale. Stephanie loves meeting new people, learning about different cultures, and building genuine, lasting relationships. This has allowed her to build an extensive network of contacts spanning across various continents, cultures, and industries, facilitating collaborations between industry professionals, members, and organizations worldwide.
Stephanie’s passion for global relationship building extends beyond professional pursuits. Stephanie is a member of Rotary International, an Ally member of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance and volunteers her time by serving on several local community boards in Chicago.
Global Business Forum
Tuesday, Feb. 20th
11:15 AM- 12:15 PM
