AE Symposium
AE Symposium 2025
The 2025 CAR AE Symposium will be held July 15-17 at the Hotel Alpenrock, Breckenridge, Colorado. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with AEs from across the state, gain insight from compelling speakers, and learn from one another at this conference tailor-made for Association Executives!
The Symposium will begin with a Welcome Reception starting early evening on July 15th, followed by Dinner Dates with your AE colleagues at some of the best restaurants in Breckenridge. On July 16th, engage in a series of interactive sessions and discussions on succession planning, industry insights from managing brokers and emerging talent, and more. Then, shift gears in the afternoon for a fun group activity. The day will conclude with a networking dinner. On the 17th, the conference continues with more valuable sessions, including an AI workshop, so bring your laptops!
What: 2025 AE Symposium
When: July 15 -17, 2025
Cost: Registration Fee is $130/person
Where: Hotel Alpenrock, Breckenridge, Colorado | 550 Village Rd, Breckenridge, CO 80424
JULY 15 – Dinner Dates with your AE Colleagues
Enjoy some great food and fun while connecting with other AEs! Whether you’re new to the industry, want to expand your network, or just need dinner – this is a great way to connect with other AEs! CAR will make reservations for parties up to 8 people at various restaurants within a 10-minute walk from the hotel, offering an expansive selection of foods and price points for you to choose from.
Here’s How It Works:
These special reservations are only available to those who pre-register for this additional networking event during the registration check-out process.
After you RSVP for the Dinner Dates event, you will receive an email in Late-June to select which restaurant reservation you would like to join, along with the meet-up location and time.
Don’t leave your AE colleagues in a lurch-they want to meet you. If you need to cancel, please do so in writing no later than Monday, July 7 to avoid the dreaded “table for one.”
Each diner is responsible for their own meals and drinks.
JULY 16 – Group Activity – Breckenridge Distillery Tour & Tasting (optional):
Take a behind-the scenes look at Breckenridge Distillery’s production facility during this private tour and learn more about the history of bourbon, the importance of the barrel used, and other interesting facts. Included in the tour is also a guided tasting of 7 spirits and lite bites. Approximate start time is 5:00pm. Duration 45-60 min. A complimentary shuttle will provide roundtrip transportation service for attendees. Additional cost: $40/pp.
JULY 16 – Group Off-Site Dinner at Breckenridge Distillery (optional):
Enjoy a delicious and private family-style dinner with your peers in the Founders Lab at Breckenridge Distillery starting at 6pm. A complimentary shuttle will provide roundtrip transportation service for attendees. Participation in the Tour & Tasting at Breckenridge Distillery (see above) is not required for joining dinner.
Association Executive Succession Planning: Between the mass exodus of the Great Resignation and Baby Boomers retiring, the nonprofit sector is facing a leadership crisis. The departure of an organization’s top executive presents many challenges and opportunities. Most organizations are not ready for leadership transition. Studies show that 77% of nonprofit organizations don’t have a succession plan.
This session examines the depth of the leadership transition crisis, the importance of planning BEFORE the storm arrives, the three types of plans and the steps involved in developing them.
Dan Prater: As Senior Managing Consultant at FORVIS, Mr. Prater provides training and analysis for nonprofit boards, develops strategic plans, helps organizations develop program metrics, and conducts nonprofit industry research. He also works with foundations and private philanthropists to establish giving guidelines.
Top 5 Real Estate Trends
James Dwiggins: James is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of NextHome Inc., a progressive real estate franchise with consumer focused branding, technology and marketing. As the Chief Executive Officer of NextHome, Inc., He brings to the table a sharp, innovative, and forward-focused vision. James has been in the real estate franchise business since 2006, originally joining Realty World Northern California, Inc. as Director of Technology and Strategy, where he was promoted to Vice President five years later. In June 2014, he co-founded NextHome, Inc. and ran both brands until 2020, when Realty World International acquired Realty World Northern California. In January 2015, James launched NextHome as an independent national real estate franchise and to date we have opened 520 office locations in 48 states, with nearly 5,000 members across the country.
Real Estate Reset: A Mastermind on Today’s Priorities from Brokers & Rising Talent: What’s top of mind for real estate leaders across Colorado—and how does that align (or clash) with what the next generation sees as the path forward? This dynamic mastermind session will share what managing brokers and REALTOR® young professionals from across the state believe are the most pressing priorities facing the real estate industry right now.
Justin Knoll: As a fourth generation Denver Realtor, Justin grew up watching his family work tirelessly for their clients and recognized that he shared their passion for helping people achieve homeownership, grow their investment portfolios, and creating generational wealth. In addition to selling property, he has served as a Managing Broker, President of the Denver Board of Realtors, President of the Denver Metro Association, CO Young Professionals Network President and Member of the Year, VP of Law and Policy for the Colorado Association of Realtors, Metro District VP, Chair of CAR, NAR and ReColorado Director, as well as President of his former brokerage.
Dealing with Difficult People: Lessons from a Hostage Negotiator: What if the skills used to defuse life-or-death hostage situations could help you navigate your toughest conversations at work—or at home? In this powerful and practical session, a former hostage negotiator pulls back the curtain on the psychology, strategy, and communication tools used in high-stakes crises and shows how they apply to everyday interactions with difficult people.
Amy McDermott: A Colorado native, Amy McDermott joined the Colorado Association of Realtors as Executive Director of the Colorado Association of Realtors Foundation in 2021, bringing with her a passion for serving Colorado communities and nearly two decades of professional nonprofit experience.
Under her leadership, the Foundation provided almost $1.3M in relief grants to nearly 600 families who lost their homes in the Marshall Fire and created a disaster relief distribution protocol now being used as a national model.
Real Talk with Ty and Jarrod: Tyrone Adams, CAR CEO, and Jarrod Grasso, NAR’s Senior VP of Industry Relations, invite attendees to engage in an open, no-script conversation. Come ready to ask, learn, and connect in a room where transparency is the currency and shared experience is the greatest asset.
Tyrone Adams: Tyrone is an experienced non-profit association professional with success in leading and conducting the directives of a non-profit association’s Board of Directors. He currently serves as the CEO of the Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR), the state’s largest real estate trade association.
Harnessing AI and Technology Workshop: In an era where disruption is the new norm, today’s Association Executives must do more than keep pace—they must lead transformation. This session is designed specifically for Association Executives who want to understand not just what artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are, but how to strategically leverage them to drive innovation, streamline operations, and future-proof their organizations. This session will be a workshop, so please bring your laptop, charger, and ensure you charge your laptop the night before the session!
Dan Streeter: Dan Streeter is the CEO of Mission Fuel, which is committed to reshaping how associations, from small to large scales use cutting-edge AI technologies to improve their daily workflow and improve work-life balance.
Real Talk with Ty and Jarrod: Tyrone Adams, CAR CEO, and Jarrod Grasso, NAR’s Senior VP of Industry Relations, invite attendees to engage in an open, no-script conversation. Come ready to ask, learn, and connect in a room where transparency is the currency and shared experience is the greatest asset.
Jarrod Grasso: Jarrod C Grasso is the Senior Vice President of Industry Relations at the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), a role he assumed after serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey REALTORS® for almost 17 years. Throughout his distinguished career, Jarrod has steadfastly advocated for the real estate industry.
Joining New Jersey REALTORS® in 1999, Jarrod ascended to vice president of government affairs in 2002, serving as the association’s chief lobbyist for nearly a decade. His leadership and expertise culminated in his promotion in 2008 to CEO, where he led New Jersey REALTORS® in its mission to support members’ professional needs, develop programs, and advocate for private property rights. During his tenure, he earned widespread recognition for his contributions to the association and the real estate industry.
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